TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 227, 23 August 1928, Page 6

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

REMITS PASSED BY CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON Aug. 23. The conference of the Technical Education Association of' New Zealand was continued yesterday, Mr H. S. W. King, < Auckland) presiding. Among the remits carried were the following: “That tlio Technical Schools’ Board should be officially recognised and the proposed technological examinations be conducted by it.” (Palmerston North). “That this conference views with entire disfavour any suggestion to make free places tenable only at the postprimary school nearest to the pupil’s home.” It was contended that as parents had to pay for education they had the right to say where tire children should go without undue interference on 'the part of the Department. “That in the opinion of this conference, the Education Department is penalising country pupils in the undue restriction on the issue of free school season tickets.” “That it is desirable that there should be an advisory board as well as an apprenticeship committee under the act.” “That in view of tlio additions being mado .to the buildings of secondary schools in rhe larger centres, while no provision is being made for additional schools of other types in the enmo -towns, this conference urges the need of a definite statement from tlio department as to the relative positions of high scho ;ols and technical schools in the education system.” (Dunedin). Mr Aldridge drew attention to the increasing demand for accommodation in technical schools in the largo centres. Mr J. H. Howell said the Wellington Board wrote asking for this information some months ago, but had not received it yet. The chairman said that there was a public demand for the type of school they were running. “That in view of tlio undue dominance of the matriculation examination on post-primary education, the department be asked to consider the institution of a leaving certificate of a somewhat similar standard which will be suitable for all types of schools, and which will be recognised by employers as equivalent of the present matrir.uVa'tion examination'll. Note: The ordinary matriculation examination is unsuitable for children taking technical school courses, and the absence of it as a certificate of education frequently handicaps the students loaving such schools. The sooner matriculation is raised in Istnindard and relegated to its proper sphere, i.e., university entrance, the better for everybody concerned.” (Hamilton). Mr W. Fraser referred to instances of children who had been handicapped for want of certificates.