EDUCATION BOARD

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18264, 24 December 1924, Page 5

EDUCATION BOARD

MANUAL AND TECHNICAL BRANCH. SUPERVISOR'S REPORT. The Supervisor's report for *he year 1924 is as fellows:— Returns already received from the various centres in the district clearly indicate that throughout the rear there has been no diminution in the interest and activity displayed with regard to the parrying on of manual and technical classes. There were no disturbing elements to interfere to any great extent with attendances, consequently the work was carried on continuously, and 1924 must be looked upon as a record 3'ear. As in the past, elementary handwork has been largely used in the lower classes as a means in the development of the child. Courses of instruction have not varied to any great extent from those in use in former years, with this exception: that ; greater use has been made of kindergarten methods. All material used was again supplied by the Department, purchased through the High Commissioner. This material arrived in good condition at the beginning of the year, and in consequence the Board was enabled to supply all schools in time for teachers to give a full course of instruction. With the experience gained in'the past, the scheme of having all material supplied by the Department is now working satisfactorily. Unfortunately, in some lines there was a considerable shortage in the amounts supplied, and, consequently, in these particular items schools had to be rationed accordingly. This has a tendency to hamper the work and cause dissatisfaction. About 20,000 pupils throughout the district received instruction in elementary handwork. At 32 small schools where there is no female teacher on the staff instruction in needlework has been given by a local instructress. Advanced Handwork. In the upper standards advanced handwork again received as much attention as heretofore. The courses of instruction did not vary materially, and cardboard was the medium used at all schools where it was impracticable for pupils to receive instruction in woodwork and domestic sc.Jence. At each of the 22 manual training centres in the district attendances have increased, and it has often been a problem to provide instruction for all comers. This was notably the case at the three Christchurch centres and at Timaru., Numbers have increased so much in Christchurch that during the incoming .year the Board will .have to consider the advisability of asking the Department to establish another centre if all pupils.offering are to be catered for. Combined courses in woodwork and ironwork were carried out at Phillipstown and at the Normal with considerable success. It is found that the combined course has many advantages over tho single course. The variety in the work provides increased interest and has a stimulating effect. It is a matter for regret that country centres cannot be successfully fitted up to take the combined course, as country children should receive most benefit from a course of instruction in ironwork, but there are certain difficulties in the' way; the lack of teaching power is the principal one. A woodwork exhibit was made up by the boys in the district and sent to the Dominion Industrial Exhibition, where four first prizes, one second prize, and three third prizes were gained. Several specimens of gates made from exotic timbers were exhibited at the A. and P. shows sheld in Timaru and Christchurch. The designs and workmanship of these gates created much interest. About 3500 boys received instruction in woodwork and drawing. Domestic Science. The Dpmcstie Science Course was carried ont at all centres without alteration in the syllabus distributed at the beginning of 1923. Although the system of carrying on the cookery classes at the Normal still continues to be a great success it was not found practicable, owing to lack of room accommodation, to extend the system to other centres. About 3400 girls received instruction in Domestic Science at the different centres. Towards the end of tho year the Southbridge District High School was burned to the ground. One of the rooms of the school was used as a cookery room. The cookcry equipment in this room was valuable, being a more complete outfit than is. usually allowed for a country district. The loss is severe, as it is feared that such a complete equipment will not again be supplied by the Department. Miss M. Dyer, recently appointed Domestic Science Inspector, paid several visits to the district and gave many useful hints as to the bettor carrying on of the work. Miss B. Gilraour, who has been a valuable servant to the Board for many years past, left the service at the end of the year. She has done excellent work whilst she has been in charge of the Sydenham Centre, and her position will be hard to fill. As an experiment the Department decided to appoint a Supervisor of Needlework Instruction for the Christ- j church area. Miss E. M. Burns, of the Training College, was elected for the position. She took up her duties on the Ist August. Tho Department's idea is to improve the quality of the instruction given in needlework at the primary schools. Miss Burns has done valuable work during the four months she has been employed. Lady teachers have benefited by the assistance •uven, and a foundation has been laid for carrying on needlework instruction on more practical lines than formerly. Next year's activities should give such evidence of the wisdom of the Department's scheme as will warrant its adoption at other suitable centres. Agricultural Education, Etc. Agricultural education, Nature study and allied subjects again received the prominence expected from an agricultural district like Canterbury. A feature of the work is the increased interest shown in school gardens on the Coast. Each of the three agricultural instructors has a wide district to eover. It is often difficult for them to keep in touch with the various organisations which are promoted for the encouragement of elementary agricultural education. The Board carried on a certain number of- competitions amongst schools, and Agricultural and Horticultural Societies throughout the district did their best to foster competitions amongst the children. In South Canterbury the Hurdlcy Shield was won bv Marist Brothers School,' Timaru, and the potato-growing competition was won bv Otaio School. In North Canterbury the McFarlane Shield was won bv the Ouruhia School, and the potatogrowing competition was won by Spotswood Sehool. On the West Coast the Greyniouth A. and P. Association's Shield was won by the Ngahere School, and the potato-growing competition was won by Nelson Creek School. Each of the above schools made an excellent display, and when the Shields were presented* there was a representative gathering of all the people of the district interested in the work. Forest tree culture has occupied a minor place in the agricultuial curricu-

lum now for some time past, and school nurseries have been established at different schools. During \he past year, howovcr, the work has received a great fillip, principally through the assistance given by the State Forestry Department. No less than 400 packets of forest tree seeds havo been /distributed to various schools during the year, and one school alone has germinated 2000 forest tree seedlings for distribution next spring. . Two hundred and forty schools were recognised as taking agriculture during the year, an increase of five, over last year. The rural course of instruction was carried on at eleven schools in the district, with an attendance of 380 pupils, and 282 pupils attended' the secondary departments at Christchurch West, Normal, and Lyttclton Schools. Continuation Classes. Technical and continuation have been conducted at Fairlie, Kaiapoi, Geraldinc, Temuka, Waimate, and at several places in the Ellesmere dis- < triet. The subjects taken up were dressmaking, woodwork, wool-classing, and commercial subjects. Although there was greater interest taken in these classes than in previous years, and the attendances have been much better, much more -will have to be dotoe before the standard is reached which existed prior to the imposition of the 1921 restrictions. Wool-classing classes in South Canterbury under Mr H. F. Harte's capable instruction have had a wonderful record for the past few years. During' the present year ho had 196 students in attendance at his classes. Under the revised regulations of 1921, teachers' classes were established during the year at Ashburton, Christchurch,' Grcyinouth, and Timaru in the different branches of drawing, agriculture, andVgcneral science. All available pupil-teachers, probationers, and uncertificated teachers attended these classes, : and the examination results show that they obtained considerable benefit thereby. Manual instructors have again dis- , played commendable zeal throughout the" year in carrying out their duties. These duties are often carried out under very trying circumstances. They have given of their best, and a pleasing feature is that they havo spared no efforts to bring'their methods up to date and into line with modern views on education. A great deal of extra time and labour has been expended in improving the appearance of rooms and grounds round manual training buildings. Most of this work has been done voluntarily, and services have been rendered freely and ungrudgingly. Tho result is that all our manual training rooms are now in good order, and will bear inspection at any time. In conclusion, although tho results gained can only be estimated by comparison, and it, is difficult to compare results gained here with what is done in other lands, there is ample proof that the work in this district showed, considerable advancement during the year. One matter is a certainty; it has been the earnest endeavour of all connected with manual and technical work to bring this important branch of education up to a high standard of efficiency, and all efforts in this direction have been ably backed up by the Board*