TRAINING TEACHERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 58, 6 February 1928, Page 3

TRAINING TEACHERS.

SPECIALISED SCHEME,

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Feb. 3. A scheme for the training of specialised school teachers throughout New Zealand has been initiated by the Education Department, which is now mak ing arrangements for the institution of the first of the special courses—-physical instruction—-which is to be commenced at Dunedin shortly. The Director of Education (Mr T. B. Strong) explained to-day that it was intended to give one year’s instruction to selected third year training college students who had shown aptitude in the direction of physical instruction. This course would be conducted in Dunedin by Dr. J. Renfrew White, a well-known orthopaedic specialist, and twelve students, drawn from the various training colleges would be trained. “The object of the course at Dunedin,” continued the director, “is so to train the students selected that they may. be able to give special attention to physical instruction in the schools to which they are appointed. It forms part of the department’s new scheme for the training of specialised teachers, and at a . later date, when the scheme is in full working order, the physical instruction course will be. followed by courses in drawing and singing. It is anticipated that specialisation will be possible in the primary schools as well as in the secondary schools to the benefit of the subjects referred to. “The department,” added Mr Strong, “proposes to make a slight increase in the allowance paid to third year training college students, who, when they take up appointments in schools, will suffer no loss of salary in consequence of their devoting an extra year to specialised training, since it is intended to ndd one year’s increment to the commencing salary paid for Grade I. positions.”