TRAINING COLLEGE. ITS RELATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY. '

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 74, 27 March 1912, Page 4

TRAINING COLLEGE. ITS RELATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY. '

The following are extracts from the annual report of the late Principal of the Training College (Mr. William t Gray), which wae presented to the Education Board yesterday :—"ls: —"Is the Training College getting the best fitudenta that are offering, those most likely to do justice to all sides of the course of training? I feel bound to say that some of those who have entered might well have been rejected in favour of others applying direct from secondary schools. From these we have in previous years received a fair number ot students, and almost without exception they are now giving a good account of themselves in the schools. If we must pick and choose, then we should have the best, and it should be considered to the advantage of a candidate that he has had two or throe years «xtra secondary school instruction. "Every effort should be made to maintain and strengthen tho connection between th© Training College and tho University. The bond should be more than a connection such as exists at present. The Training Collego should be a Teacheis' College affiliated to the University, and recognised as one of its Teaching Colleges in each centre It should be on precisely the same footing as tho Dental, Medical, Engineering, and Mining Schools. This would mean that, in time, other members of the Training College staff _ beside the principal would have standing as University lecturers or professors. Tt would mean, for example, that the science course undertaken at the Training College might be a recognised class for terms preparatory to degree, and such a recognition as thiß woujd be "a great gain to the Training Collego students, as well as a source of strength all round. The principle might, apply in time to other subjects as well. "Whether such standing for tho Training Collego is secured or not. the Training College authorities should. _cqoperate with the University Council in ite aim and endeavour to secure such additions to the University staff as will enable day teaching to be given in the more import-ant classes. One of the most serious drawbacks in our present circumstances lies in the fact that for the most part University lectures are held at njght. A fuller and more complete equipment ehould bo provided for those aiming exclusively at positions in secondary schools. The practising arrangements are now fairly adequate for primary and district liigh school needs, but not for tho needs of tho fully organised school. "Student^,"' the report concluded, !'who do not prove their capacity either (or professional work or for higher studies, should be drafted out at the «jud of tho first year, with a, certificate of a lower grade, entitling them to take only lower positions in the service."