TRAINING TEACHERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14981, 29 April 1909, Page 6

TRAINING TEACHERS.

It is freely admitted, by even the most uncompromising advocates of economy that it would, bo a fatal mistake to starve the dtominion's education system. It lrjay he possible to effect savings in the- Education Department, hut no one -would wish to see them carried beyowid the hounds of prudent administration. The Government evidently recognises this' fact.' and it was emphasised by the Minister of Education when opening the now training college at Dunedin. Although the vote for tijaining colleges lias increased from £(8000 to £32,000 in four years, Mr Fotvlds's statement in regard to the wtork done by the colleges shows that tjie dominion is receiving very good v*lue for the additional expenditure. At the end of last year there were 228 studente at the four colleges, aijd all of these were being thoroughly trained and equipped for their life's, great work, which is, of course, entirely of a public character. Besides that, tho expenditure has provided for the instruction of a large number ctf children in attendance at the »ractisin,g schools. The surprisingly areat preponderance of women teachers at the. colleges—there are 211 women and only 77 men—is not necessarily a regrettable feature of the statistics quoted by Mr Fowlds. Women display a marked aptitude for the' teaching profession, and it is well that they should take an active part in moulding the ideals of a young nation. The necessity for maintaining the colleges at a high standard is demonstrated by the fact that there will .be a largely increased demand for trained teachers on account of the operations of the new Act. Between 700 and 800 more teachers will be required for the staffing of the dominion's schools within the nest few yeans. It is a large number to ask the country to supply, but tho profession, by offering free training, salaries which on the whole are satisfactory, and provision for old ago, should now have attractions for the best brains among the young people of hoth sexes. Mr Fowlds suggested that the colleges should collect information and material for object-lessons dealing with the products and manufactures of New Zealand and other countries, and there can he no question that if the idea were taken up the results would bo extremely valuahle, both to the teachers and to the schools.