Polytechnic, High School To Part

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 12

Polytechnic, High School To Part

The Christchurch Technical College board of managers will seek to have the administration of the polytechnic and high school separated as soon as possible. The board last night asked the principal (Mr D. W. Lyall), to make submissions to the Education Department on the question.

The board received a report from Mr Lyall on the present relationship of the two departments on the advisability of their separation. A considerable advance had been made in determining the type and approximate setting of the new high school, which would replace the technical high school, Mr Lyall reported. The character of the developing polytechnic was already shaping itself and would be further determined by the demands of industry and commerce. Until the new day school building was ready for use, the college faced an awkward period. “The Education Department has shown reluctance to proceed to administrative separation with the two sections of the college still on the same site, mainly because of difficulties experienced in other sections. “It cannot be denied that difficulties might arise in Christchurch also, but to allow this to cause separation to be postponed for several more years would, in my opinion, be unjustified. It would extend by some years the period in which the one side of our work' exercises a hampering influence over the other, and it would delay the opportunity of free development of the technical institute, which has already been delayed far too long.” On the whole there was reasonable physical separation of the two sections at the present time, and it did not appear that the common use of rooms would cause great difficulty by itself. Mr Lyall said. New Staff Conditions The separation of the two sections would leave the principal and board much greater freedom of staff disposition than at present, because of

the new conditions of service for the technical institute There was no personal grading or country service requirements for tutors, and full-time tutors would not be available for part-time work in post-primary schools. Some evening and Saturday work would be part of the normal work, and Overtime would not be payable. Holidays would not necessarily correspond to those of postprimary schools. “It is evident that considerable goodwill is a prerequisite for smooth and successful working under these conditions. I believe we have it here, but the department evidently has its doubts about the wisdom of going ahead. “The alternative is to put up with the present arrangement for some more years, The ill-effects of this may well be severe and prolonged.” In administration, it would be desirable that the two sections should have the present board as governing body while they were on the same site. This would mean two secretaries to the board, or the appointment of a person who would be independent secretary of both. Some supplies and bills, such as gas and electricity, might provide a problem, but a reasonable and acceptable arrangement should be reached without difficulty, Mr Lyall said. An outline of building utilisation with the two sections on one site had already been requested by the department, and a further request regarding staffing had been made It was likely that a reconsideration of the separation problem was possible. The board adopted the report, and asked Mr Lyall to refer back any more definite proposals, which would be examined by a special subcommittee.