EDUCATION REPORT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 49, 26 August 1930, Page 14

EDUCATION REPORT

SERIOUS EFFECT

ON TECHNICAL COLLEGES

PEOPOSALS DISCUSSED

Concern regarding the effect of the Education Committee's proposal on the system of co-education that had been built up in the technical high schools in the chief centres was expressed by Mr. John H. Howell (Director) at the Wellington Technical College Board of Governors' meeting last evening.

Mr. Howell said that he had received a copy of Part 11. of the report, but as it contained 86 pages of matter outlining very far-reaching proposals he had not been able to give it the consideration it required. He would, however, point out the most important proposals affecting the Wellington Technical College.

"It is proposed," said WLr. Howell, "that the present governing body should be continued with its subsidiary advisory committes, the board to be called the Technical College Council. This council will be independent of the Board of Education for the district, which will control the primary and ordinary post-primary schools. It is intended that the Technical College Council shall be closely associated with the University College Council, and that an approved number of members of the University College Council shall be appointed to membership of the Technical College Council, and vice versa, and, further, that a joint advisory committee be set up by both councils to consider and advise on matters of common interest. The conduct of all technological examinations will be taken away from the Education Department and placed in charge of a Faculty of Technical Education to be set up by' each of the two new universities, which shall also deal with the recognition of diploma courses taken at the technical colleges. "These proposals contemplate the development of the technical colleges as institutions for higher technical education, especially for those who are already in employment. It is urged that the Government should take a lead in the matter of providing day-time trainIng for adolescents in the employment of Government Departments. In order to restrict the University Colleges to work of a proper university standard, it is proposed that non-matriculated students should be transferred as far as practicable to the technical colleges. Some of these provisions may seem to have little bearing upon the position in Wellington; but in Auckland and Christchureh, where the School of Engineering takes apprentices, and the School of Architecture draughtsmen, and where in Christchureh the School of Art is also attached to the University College, these questions arc of firstrate impossible. RAISING THE STATUS. "There can be no doubt that the result of these proposals will be.to raise both the status and the standard of the work of the technical colleges, though it may be some years before any marked progress is made," continued Mr. Howell. The Committee intend that steps should be taken immediately to bring the new system into operation, 'and proposes that in towns where separate high and technical schools exist the technical school should take the pupils from 11 to-15, while the secondary schools should take the second and third year pupils from the technical high school, particularly, those enrolled in general, commercial, and home science classes. These proposals evidently have special reference to towns like Napier and Timaru, but it is also stated that in the large urban centres a course can also be followed. Details are left to be worked I out by the officers of the Education Department, but the; Committee is insistent that the change-over should be ; made at once, fully wherever the facilities are available and partially where that only is j immediately possible. j COMMITTEE'S INTENTION. "If I understand the intention of the Committee rightly," added Mr. Howell, "this would mean that we should lose jour special third-year class and practically all the girls in the second and I third year of the commercial and home I science departments. These would be replaced by boys and girls of from 11 to 14 years of age, and the school would consist of boys from 11 to 16 '.and girls from 11 to 14, with a few art jgirls from 14 years. The character of !the school as it now exists would, therefore, be destroyed. While university education and technical education [proper would seem to gain much by the changes proposed, it will be a matter for very great regret if this gain must be offset by the loss resulting from the destruction of the fine system of co-education that has been built up in our technical high schools in the chief centres." BLOW TO THE COLIiEOE. It would be a severe blow to the college if the advanced pupils mentioned were taken away, said the chairman (Mr. W. H. Bennett). The domestic science branch had been very considerably developed, and it would be entirely destroyed if the proposal were given effect to. Another thing was that it would seriously affect the social activities of the college if the senior girls were taken away from I the building. It was along those lines !that the board, together with the other boards concerned, would have to put up a strenuous fight to retain what was regarded as an integral part of the college. The policy was a shortsighted one, contended Mr. Bennett, if the facilities provided for the evening classes were not utilised during the daytime. He could not see how a saving was to be effected. The whole desire seemed to bo to cut down expense, but he did not think a-farthing would be saved. Mr. Bennett said that he had a distinct feeling that the centralisation idea was not going to be of benefit to education generally. No doubt the conference of all the technical schools in the Dominion would thrash out the various questions, and their united wisdom would be conveyed to the Minister. Mr. C. H; Chapman said that ne would regret exceedingly any alteration in the system unless they were sure it would be of real advantage. If the report meant that they would lose all the advanced pupils it appeared to be a retrograde step. He thought steps should be taken to prevent such interference which would bo a distinct disadvantage, and that such a view could be justifiably emphasised owing to the successful results that had been achieved in the past. Interference with such a system as existed in New Zealand was a very delicate matter. VIEWS OF THE PARENTS. Mr. J. Read suggested that the parents of the senior pupils should be given an opportunity of expressing their views. He felt sure that they would offer a very strong resistance to any move such as was proposed. The board should not allow it to go through without a very serious protest.