TECHNICAL WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 224, 22 September 1938, Page 5

TECHNICAL WORK.

GRAMMAR BOARD'S POLICY.

NEED FOR SOME EXTENSION.

The policy of the Auckland Grammar Schools' Board of Governors in the matter of providing technical facilities was under discussion at yesterday's meeting. The matter arose after a letter had been received from the headmaster of the Takapuna Grammar School, Mr. K. J. Dellow, asking "the possibility of extensions being made to the metalwork block at the school, at a cost of approximately £1300.

"The question is whether this sort of work should be dealt with by a grammar school," said the chairman, Dr. E. Roberton. "Grammar schools have been drifting away from their original purpose for some years. Neither the technical nor the grammar school should be one sided. We also have the case of boys unsuited to academic work coming to grammar- schools merely to be able to say they have been there." Mr. A. St. Clair Brown said it was a. perfectly natural tendency which the schools were answering. Experience had proved that under the old system a surplus of boys 4 had been turned out for the type of jobs for which they were suited.

Members pointed out that there were five grammar schools in Auckland, and only one technical college, with a roll of 1500. There appeared to be a need for development of technical colleges to provide more all-round educational facilities.

The Hon. A. Burns: At Takapuna we have a large number of pupils not suited for purely academic training; they must be catered for.

"There is a question of policy involved." said Mr. St. Clair Brown. "We should write to the Minister asking for a report covering such matters, with special reference to the Takapuna Grammar School." This course was decided upon.