TECHNICAL CLASSES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 128, 3 June 1927, Page 6

TECHNICAL CLASSES

MINISTER TAKEN TO TASK

DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post',

CHBISTCHUBCH, This Day ■ Following on a report by Dr. D. E. Hauscn regarding the great increase in the attendances at the various classes in connection with the Christehurch Technical College, at a meeting of the Board of Governors of the college last evening Mr. E. H. Andrews said that the report was exceedingly satisfactory to them all. Ho would like to ask Dr. Hanseu what was the minimum number of pupils considered necessary for the establishment of a class. "The reason I ask that question is because the Minister has said that technical education, will have to be overhauled," said Mr. Andrews. "The Minister said he was not going to permit classes being formed of half a dozen pupils. I understa^l that no class can be established witfiout the ;^proval of the Department, and so the Minister is evidently talking without a full knowledge of the position. It is a pity that some of these men who get into new positions do not acquaint themselves with the facts ana ■ study the position before they talk." Dr. Han sen said that no class could be started without the sanction of the Education Department, which inquired as to the nature of the class, the qual-e ity of the teaching, the number of pupils and so .forth. The minimum number of students insisted on by the Department, .was twelve. At the end of the first term a return of the average attendance at the classes had to be submitted to the Department. Mr. Andrews: "That just bears out what I have been saying. The Minister has been putting the blame on the principals when tho Department has approved <?f the classes." It is very unfair. It is either gross ignorance on the part of the Department or a very unfair statement of the position. At least th« heads of 'the Department should have some knowledge before they begin to criticise." (Hear, hear.) :.