TECHNICAL TRAINING

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 74, 24 September 1936, Page 4

TECHNICAL TRAINING

CONFERENCE REMITS

WIDE FIELD COVERED

Yesterday's conference of the Technical Education Association, presided over by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., in the morning and by Mr. McGregor Wright in the afternoon, covered a wide field in its remits and in the discussions upon them. No conclusion could be reached on the question of consolidation of postprimary schools in relation to efficiency, and a motion to this effect was passed. On the previous day the Minister of Education had asked the conference for an expression of opinion on the matter.

Physical training was the subject matter of several remits which were taken together, and it was unanimously decided to ask the Government to make grants towards the erection and equipment of gymnasia and swimming baths at post-primary schools.

Support was accorded the decision of the University of New Zealand to delete agriculture as a subject from its entrance examination syllabus.

The conference expressed appreciation of the Minister's increase of the allowance for post-primary school conveyance and boarding, and decided to ask him whether the allowance for conveyance can be increased,

The following remits were carried: —

"That the Minister be informed that this conference is of the opinion that trade schools are essential for the training of youths and men who have been unable to take advantage of the ordinary trade courses in technical schools and have not had a full trade experience."

"That national scholarships be not revived, but that a wide system of bursaries be granted by the schools under reasonable safeguards and under departmental supervision."

"That neither radio nor the cinematograph can replace text books in educational work, but each has its place. The respective value of radio and cinematograph can only be determined after experiment, but as each stimulates a different sense organ, their effect will probably be complementary and both should form part of school equipment."

Other remits which were passed concerned organisation, equipment, regulations, and salaries, and it was decided to ask the Minister to bring the basis of remuneration of technical school principals into line with that of secondary school principals.