TECHNICAL SCHOOL TEACHERS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 186, 9 May 1928, Page 3

TECHNICAL SCHOOL TEACHERS

CONFERENCE DECISIONS. At last night’s session of the Technical School Teachers’ Association Air. AV. G. Aldridge (Dunedin) presented a report on returns for statistical purposes. In the report he stated that about 45 per cent, of all the pupils taught in technical schools left each year. Of' the remainder some stayed on for two or more years, and sometimes as many as six, some passing on to still other schools, but the majority to enter upon their life's work. Was there any way; of gauging the influence of the schools, of ascertaining if they had been directed rightly? Various forms of records had been made, but few would base far-reaching criticism upon them; they had no coherence among themselves. In a country the size of New Zealand, with a school population of about 200.000, about 23,000 left school each year. If some scheme of investigating the history of these 23,000 could be carried through without an inordinate amount of labour, it might permit of pertinent -and searching criticism of the whole educational system of the Dominion, a criticism which technical schools need have no reason to fear.

Air. J. 11. Howell, Dr. Hansen (Christchurch), and Air. Wild (Feeding), also spoke on the vast amount of statistical returns which were called for, and which could serve no useful purpose. Air. Aldridge’s report was received and adopted. The following remits were carried :—

That all new entrants to post-prim-ary schools be medically examined, and that a Report be lodged with the prinp;il concerned, for Ills guidance, re mental and physical instrucion for such pupils. (Christchurch.) That arrangements be made for opportunities for dental treatment of post-primary school pupils at the institution they attend. (Christchurch.) That all primary school report forms (B 17 should contain a report on conduct. (Christcliurcli.) That physical instructors who have passed matriculation or an equivalent examination, and have subsequently attended a three years’ course at a recognised physical training institution, should be graded in the professional. division. (Christchurch.)