THE ATMORE REPORT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 20

THE ATMORE REPORT

Consideration By Technical Teachers’ Conference The draft report of .the special committee of the New Zealand Technical School Teachers’ Association set up to consider schemes of educational reorganisation, with special reference to the recommendations of the Atmore Report, was considered when . the annual conference of delegates continued at Wellington yesterday. 'Hie following were among the recommendations ot the committee approved by the conference: — "That the association approve the general principal that tlie primary course terminate at 11 plus, or alter passing standard 4, if children then are given the option of attending either a junior high school or a junior technical school, sucu schools to form departments of a senior school and be under the control of the senior school board. Pending the adoption of this system ‘that primary school children should be permitted to attend postprimary schools at the beginning ot the year following their thirteenth birthdays. "That the association strongly supports tlie recommendation to raise the scnoolleaving age to 15, irrespective of whether or not the child has ginned a proficiency certificate. "That tlie association is strongly opposed to a hard and fast type of separated intermediate school. "That the association endorse the view of the recess committee criticising the tendency lor scholarship tcets to be ‘unduly loaded on the academic side’ and stating that ‘in the opinion of the committee, the emphasis is wrongly placed. "This association is opposed to the universality of the recommendation ’that in view ot the great importance to the Dominion of our primary industries, the curricula of all our scnools must include adequate practical instruction in agriculture and allied subjects.’ That we, however, heartily support the introduction into post-primary schools ot those sciences calculated to promote more'interest in our basic industries. "We oppose unification of control of all schools under district education boards and a single inspectorate lor all schools. "We consider that the conditions ot university entrance should not be such as to deter technical school students from pursuing degree or diploma courses in the university colleges and from obtaining degrees and diplomas. ... We are of the opinion that diplomas ton higher courses should be grunted bj tech* nicul schools and other diplomas by a joint board representing technical schools, university colleges and industrial organiSa "That the power already possessed by the department for granting assistance to deserving students be made more widely known and that such powers and provisions should be extended. "This association is strongly opposed to the control of technical education being transferred to district education b °"That the system of vocational guidance already initiated be extended ami developed and that the Education Department take control of the vocational guidance system. . "The training of apprentices during working hours to be introduced gradually as circumstances permit. "In connection with mining, engineerin'', architecture and agriculture, the Government should insist upon closer coordination between the work of the higher classes of the technical schools and those of the university colleges.” "That methods of curbing the domination of secondary education by the university entrance examination be examined by the association executive and that the executive be requested to present its recommendations before the uext annual -enernl meeting. Methods suggested : (a) The university entrance examination to lie abolished, unsatisfactory students to be eliminated by university college staff under university regulations, (b) Entire control of university entrance examination to be placed in hands of reconstituted University Entrance Examination Board, consisting of representatives of the Academic Board and all types of secondary schools, the latter to be in the majority. (c) Substitution of the university entrance examination by revised school certificate examination to be conducted by the Education Department. ' It wins agreed to ask the Minister of Education to oiler the same facilities to the association us were offered to the New Zealand Educational Institute in regard to leave of absence for consideration of the Atmore Report and any reorganisation schemes.