LAND TRAINING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 138, 15 June 1927, Page 21

LAND TRAINING

VALUE EMPHASISED

APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM

Far-reaching recommendations were made on the subject of agricultural education at last week's meeting of the Council of Education. A comprehensive resolution read as follows:—

That this council is convinced of the value of instruction in elementary agriculture in primary schools and recommends:—(l) That the inspectors bo instructed to take a greater interest in the teaching of this subject. ■ (2) Ihat refresher courses for teachers be organised. (3) That agricultural clubs should be encouraged. (4) That cooperation be sought with the Department of Forestry and Agriculture. (5) mat in order to secure maximum efficiency an adequate staff of supervisors; is indispensable. (6) That agricultural bursars on the completion of their course be associated with agricultural instructors in order to gain knowledge of tho actual needs of the school. (7) That in order to secure proper cooperation between the inspectorial staff and tho instructor the Utter should be placed under the control of tho Education Department." The following resolution was also passed:—

'I That the council, appreciating the facilities available for agricultural education in the proposed reorganisation of post-primary education, expresses its belief that such education cannot function adequately and fulfil a clamant national requirement in the form of the recruitment of scientifically trained personnel for our basic agricultural industries until through some form of farming apprenticeship and subsequent financial assistance adequate facilities for access to the land are provided by the Government for such pupils as are accredited by the schools and satisfy the terms of such apprenticeship."