EDUCATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18599, 29 December 1920, Page 7

EDUCATION.

THE BOARD’S WORK. Tho year 1920 lias been, unsatisfactory to the Canterbury .Education Board in one respect. Soon after the schools reopened in February they were closed again on account of influenza. At many of them, illness amongst the children affected their progress. Interruptions from that cause, on the whole, were more marked in 1920 than they had been in any previous year since tho board was established. This is shown bv the fall in the average attendance. In the December quarter of 1919, it was 31,85-1. In tho March quarter of J 920, it was 3u,7»0; in the June qrfurter, 29,901; and in the September quarter, 23,902. .figures for tho December quarter of 1920 are not available, from a personal point of view, tho year was made notable by the retirement from tho board of Mr C. H. Opie, chairman for some years and a member for many years, and Mr O. S. Howard, a prominent educationist. in September, Mr E. li. Andrews was re-cleoted chairman. Under the Department’s new regulations, the;capitation towards tho maintenance of aided schools was increased from £l2 to £ls. This will ho of mate, riai assistance to parents in sparsely populated districts, where it is not always practicable to maintain a Grade 1 school. In those districts, however, the difficulty usually experienced in regard to providing suitable board and lodgings for the teacher within reasonable distance of tho school still remains. Ihe visit of the Prince of Wales will remain a memorable event in the lives of the children. Neither trouble nor expeuse was spared to make the gatherings at centres a success. The active part taken by the teachers contributed in no small degree to the suocess achievedThe year was a fairly busy one in the hoard’s building department. An effort was made to overtake much repair work held up for several years, and as many workmen as could be conveniently handled were employed in renovating and overhauling schools and residences. In addition, the hoard largely, employed its own men in tho erection of new buildings. Tender work had become so unsatisfactory. to the hoard that its policy of carrying out its own workfe, which had been in operation for some years in a- comparatively small way, has assumed fairly largo proportions. Fully equipped workshops for the manufacture or furniture, joinery and so on are established at Christchurch, Titnaru a.nd Greymouth, and the board is enabled to cope with almost anything required in the way of buildings, either brick or wood. The following are some of tho important works carried out or started during tho year: —North Canterbury—Amberlev, technical school; Chatham Islands, new schools; Hororata, residence; Linwood, additions; North Brighton, school, South Brighton, school; Opawa, school; Rokeby, school; Phillipstown, technical school; Training College, drill nail. South Canterbury—Careiv, additions; Hook, school; 'Geraldine, technical school. West Coast—Greymouth, technical school; Waiho, school. Buildings liavo been provided by purchase or contract at—Heathcote, residence; Maronnn, school: Mount Somers, schooT; and' Willowbridge, residence. New sites or additions to existing sites have been acquired a.t—Bur wood. Cashmere, Cliristchurch West, Elmwood, Leeston, Linwood Avenue, Marchwiel, Opawa, Phillipstown, Prehhleton, Shirley, Somoriield, Tcmiika, Waltham and Christchurch (manual training centre). During tho year new school districts were created at AUenton (Ashburton), Philitpstown and Waimniri (Bligh’s Road). Tho past year was one of the most important in the history of tho board as far as the development ol‘” manual and technical education is concerned. The Government, more than over, is beginning- to recognise the great value of this branch of education. Legislation lias been passed which allows more liberal treatment in the way of providing capitation grants, grants for buildings, material and apparatus. Elementary handwork again received due attention at tho 400 schools in the district; on an average 28,500 pupils received instruction. Scarcity of material and apparatus in tho early part of the yea-i somewhat delayed the work, but as soon as shipments arrived supplies were sent out. Interest in advanced handwork subjects was again well maintained. Ao twenty-two different centres in tho district, woodwork and cookery classes were carried out by competent instructors and every available pupil was conveyed by rail, coach or tram to receive instruction. Swimming and life-saving olnsses were conducted at all schools and centres where swimming baths are available. 1 Interest in agriculture as a school subject increases. About 240 schools took up this subject during the year. The results of the different competitions carried out by the hom'd show that both teachers and pupils are enthusiastic. and that some valuable experimental work is being dono. Tinder somewhat adverse circumstances Mr G. Ridley is stimulating the interest in agricultural education on the West Coast. At present he is carrying on experimental Work with a. view, of selecting gfasses suitable to the West Coast pasture lands. So far, the results obtained are encouraging, and the settlers are showing groat interest in the work. Rural courses of instruction wore carried out at Waimate, Temuka, Pleasant Point, Geraldine, Hokitika, Greymouth, Darfield, Oxford, Kaikourn, Akaroa and Southibridge. with an average attendanco of about 300 pupils. Technical and continuation classes were conducted wherever there was a demand for them, but generally tho cause is suffering from the lack of competent instructors, who are not willing ho travel to the different centres to carrv on the work. Courses of instruction' were given at Waimate, limnru, Temuka, Geraldine. Ashburton, Rangier* and Greymouth. Individual technical and continuation and technical classes were taught at Fairlie, Akaroa, Doyleston, Leeston, Ka.iapoi, Lyttelton and Southbridge. Classes for pupil teachers, probationers and uncertificated teachers- were held during the year at .1 imaru ior agriculture and dinning, yt Christchurch for drawing, ugyicul me ambulance work and hygiene, and at Greymouth for agriculture, mathematics, English and drawing. The classes at each centre were well attended, and tile instruction given proved very helpful, especially to younger teachers. During the year a manual training building was completed at AtnberlGy, and a manual training building is in course of construction at Phillipstown. A technical high, school is also in course of erection at Greymouth. Tlfe board, through the Department, has recently purchased a section in Kilmore Street, and it is proposed to erect there a manual training building, to be conducted in connection with the formal School centra. Tim Canterbury Education Board, as at present constituted, has been in existence for slightly over four years. A retrospect of the work done during that time shows that the ex-districts have harmonised far better than was anticipated, and that, there has been steady and solid progress throughout.