TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 129, 3 June 1927, Page 8

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

CRITICISM OF MINISTER. "VERY UNFAIR" STATEMENTS. (Br Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCIfURCH. this day. Following on u report" by Dr. 1). E. Hansen regarding the great increase in attendances at \ari«»us chides in connection with the (.'liriM.-him-h Technical ( ollege, <t a meeting of the Board of (Governors oi tin- I cliche I«»t evening. Mr. K. H. Anirtws *aid the report wa« exieedinply satisfactory to them all. He would like to ;i>k Dr. Hansen wbut was tho minimum number of pupils coutidered necessary for the establishment of u cl;^». "The reason I a>k that question." he said, "is because the Minister has said that technical education will have to bo overhauled. The Minister said he was not going to permit classes formed of he If a dozen pupils. I understand that no rlnM ran' be established without the approval of the Depart went, and so tho Minister evidently is talking without full knowledge of the position. It is a pity some of these men who get into new position;: do not acquaint themselves of the facts and studr the position before they talk."' Dr. Hansen said "that no class could be started without the sanction of the K<l ucation Department. At the end of the first term a return of average attendances at classes had to be" submitted to the Department. Mr. Andrews: That just bears otii what I have been saying. The. Mini«fr )>a> Wen putting the Maine o:i ;o the principals when the Departmcisi ha.< approved of the classes. It j« very unfair. It is either gross ignorance o'n the part of the Department or a very nnfair statement of ihe position. At least tho heads of department* -honld have some knowledge before they bcin to criticise. (Hear, hear.)