TEACHER TRAINING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 224, 21 September 1934, Page 14

TEACHER TRAINING.

NOT FOR UNIVERSITY.

MINISTER REJECTS SCHEME

PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES. '(By Tclegroph.—Parliamentary Rtycrter.) WELLINGTON this day. The Minister of Education. Mr. Masters, announced last night that he could not agree to the scheme proposed \<y representatives of the four University colleges, that teacher training should be undertaken in conjunction with the work of the University colleges. 'I'his did not make as satisfactory provision for the teaching of all ■subjects, as did the present system. "There is now in the training colleges a carefully selected expert for each ■subject, - ' said the Minister. "The degree students already attend the University college for lectures in University subjects. I cannot see. therefore, that if the training of teachers were placed under the control of University colleges the efficiency of the teaching staff would be any greater than it is under present conditions. The scheme is somewhat indefinite in its financial aspect, and even when the most favourable interpretation is placed on the proposals ifinbmitted by the professors it seems certain that the cost of their scheme would be greater than the cost of two training colleges, under the control >of education boards." Accommodation Question. ' As time went on, said Mr. Masters, it would probably bo found that the •cost would increase rather than decrease. The professors recognised that for some technical and practical work—for example, art, nature study and science —additional accommodation would be required. They agreed that art, needlework and handicraft work could not be carried out in the ordinary lecture room, and that special suitable accommodation would have to be provided for physical education. The proposal that two-year students eliould be required to pursue during their first year a course of study in four B.A. subjects was a weakness in the scheme. Only exceptionally robust and able studpnts were capable of taking four subjects in a year, further, all students, did not wish to take University work, and lie did not think they should be compelled to do so. As the main object of the training college was to train teachers to teach it was desirable. that as much as possible of the two; years should be spent with that end very definitely in view. University's Shorter Year. A point that apparently had not previously been considered by the professors was that the University year opened in Marcli and ended about the middle of October, continued Mr. Masters, whereas the training college -year began early in February and ended dn December. He anticipated that difficulties would arise in using the periods available in February and at the end of the year to the best advantage for the training of students. The proposals submitted would require four staffs to do the work that could be done very efficiently by the two staffs that already had been built up in Auckland and Cliristchurch. Even if, at the commencement of the scheme, the staffs were not as complete as those already in Auckland and Christchureh, there would be a tendency to increase them, especially if- file ■ Department urged the necessity for more instruction in this or that subject. It had been urged by the professors that student teachers should not be trained apart from the rest of the professional community.. "I would point out, however, that under conditions existing at present, student teachers arc by no means segregated in their training," said Mr. Masters. "They have spent three, four or' five years in secondary departments with pupils who rwill enter other professions, and when, they enter the training college more than half of them attend. University colleges for their degree etudies, and may, and often do, become members of various University societies. This is a very different state of affairs from that existing * generation ago. , ~ "After full and careful .consideration I ain" "unable to agree to the proposal to transfer the training of teachers from the education boards to the University, colleges."