N.Z. TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26847, 27 September 1952, Page 6

N.Z. TECHNICAL EDUCATION

POLICY ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

TEACHERS ADVOCATE INVESTIGATION (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, September 26. Technical colleges had made a valuable contribution to education in New Zealand, but it was clear that they had now reached a point where considera* ition must be given to their most effective form of future development, said a report which was approved by the annual conference of the Technical Education Association of New Zealand today. The report was compiled at the sugf gestion of the Minister of Education (Mr R. M, ; Aigte). That important developments awaited the colleges was clear, but their part in the post-primary structure, .their relationship to the university and to industry, were matters, which those concerned with policy should consider deeply, the report said. It suggested that the Education Department should set up a committee to inquire into developments of technical education.

Outlining what were described as necessities in the development of senior work in colleges, the report said there must be a new, staffing ratio for colleges which were doing senior arid a great deal of apprentice work. A different salary scale for the more senior colleges was also needed, so that more highly qualified staff could be secured and retained.

Building Needs Permanent extensive and modern additions to the buildings were needed to handle efficiently the new demands being made on colleges in the national interest, the report said. More extensive equipment must be given more liberally, so that not only could the colleges train highly-skilled technicians, but also give a definite lead to industry.

A system of closer liaison with industry and commerce should be developed, the report said. Provision should be made for research. Pupils should be encouraged to remain longer in the day schools. Discussing probable developments of the technical colleges, the report said that in the larger centres like Auckland apd Dunedin, the limit of trade training was not reached, and could be expected to expand as the population grew and as industry developed. Opportunity would have to be provided for the training of engineers, technicians, and other similar people to high standards, even if the training of professional engineers became confined to the university colleges, and it was doubtful whether this was possible or desirable, said the report. There was a great need in New Zealand- for more technicians and technologists, the report said. If training of such men was to be done properlyi there was no practicable alternative to its being done by the technical colleges.