SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13737, 19 May 1910, Page 8

SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER POR EDUCATION. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, -May 18. '"In the multitude of counsellors thero is wisdom," said the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, iv beginning his address before tho triennial j er.r fere nee of secondary schools wh'ch : opened in tho Wellington Gills' College to-day. Conferences were the order of j the day. In a multitude of counsels, whatever wisdom might lurk therein, greater wisdom still was required to recognise and act on these counsels in matters of practical administration. He did not, intend to inflict on tlie conference a long speech on tho functions of the secondary schools, or of the national ideals iv secondary education at which they might aim. Ho would like to point out a few salient features inclioating progress of secondary education from tlie material point of view of numbers and general expenditure during the past, live years. Proceeding, the Minister had something interesting to say on the numbers and proportion of pupils receiving secondary and primary eduoation in tbe Dominion. Exclusive of private schools, the number of pupils reeeiviug instruction higher than primary education, viz., secondary, continuation, technical, ond university, had increased from 13,545 in 1903 te 29,092 in 190 S. The proportion per 10.000 of population represented an iricroaso of from 100 in 1903 to 29S in 1903. The speaker noted the increase of expenditure in secondary school work, including buildings. Tho increase was such as to be a cause for congratulation, and everything tended to make for a better condition of T hiwr< including larger salaries for the various staffs. The amending Act of 190S was intended to benefit not only those secondary schools that had few, if any, endowment-, but also the more numerous class of schools whoso income was small in proportion to the number of pupils. By the new sliding scale in any year the total of tho net annual income from endowments and capitation together—that is of thc moneys available for tho payment of staff salaries and working expenses (exclusive of any fees')—could not fall below £12 10s per pupil. "As the actual total expenditure per head on staff salaries and management avorages £12.65," said the Minister, "even the most poorly endowed schools were now in receipt of a fair provision from public sources." Tho Minister referred to topics dealt with at the general Education Conference. He mentioned the relation of the primary school- to secondary education, and in this connection tho question of scholarships at secondary schools. The relation of'the secondary school to the technical school was another important question. Care must be taken to havo no overlapping in any way, and care must also bo taken to co-relate the two branches, so as to secure the best results. Tlie relation of the secondary school to thc university, and in this connection the question of matriculating, and junior university scholarship, was also touched unon. Concerning thc question of the special adaptation of secondary school work to suit tho needs of women—the part of domestic.science in secondary schools- — Tlie Minister emphasised the need for a recognition of the true position, that a very small r>roportion of those receiving a secondary education was likely to go on to the university. While proper provision should bo made for those who intended following tlie higher education, was it not wrong that the secondary education should be -specialised in directions not likely to be of. great value to the majority in after life? He firmly believed so. (Applause.) Mr Fowlds expressed his interest in the work, and extended a hearty welcome to the delegates. He trusted that their deliberations would be of a distinct advantage to the work in wliich they wore engaged.