Training of Teachers

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 221, 21 September 1934, Page 7

Training of Teachers

Transfer to University Colleges

MINISTER UNABLE TO AGREE

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. An announcement that he was unable to agree to a proposal to transfer the training of touchers from the education boards to tho university colleges, as proposed by representatives of the four university colleges, was niado by the Minister for Education (Hon. ib Masters) to-day. “I have given the scheme very careful consideration,’’ said Mr Masters, “and am of the opinion that it does not make as satisfactory provision for the teaching of all subjects as does the present system. There are now in the training colleges a carefully-selected expert for each subject. , Degree students already attend a university college for lectures in university subjects. I cannot see, therefore, that, if the training of teachers were placed under the control of the university colleges, tho efficiency of the teaching staff would be any greater than it is under present conditions.

“The scheme is somewhat indefinite in its financial aspect, and oven when a most favourable interpretation is placed on the proposals submitted by the professors, it seems certain that the cost of their scheme would be greater than the cost of the two training colleges under the control of education boards. As time went on, it would probably be found that, the cost would increase rather than decrease. The professors recognised that for some technical and practical work, for example, art, nature-study and science, additional accommodation would be required. They agreed that art, needlework and handicraft work could uot be carried out, in an ordinary Iccturc-roojn, and that special suitable accommodation would have to bo provided for physical education.

“The proposal that two-year students should be required to pursue during their first year a course of study in four B.A. subjects is the weakness in the scheme. Only exceptionally robust and able students are capable of taking four subjects iu a year. Further, all students do not wish to take university work, and J do not think that they should be compelled to do so, as the main object aof the training college is to train teachers to teach. It is desirable that as much as possible of the two years should be speut with this end very definitely in view. Years Not Identical, “A point that apparently had not previously been considered by professors was the fact, that the university year opens in March and ends about the middle of October, whereas the training college year begins early in February and ends iu December. I anticipate that difficulties would arise in using the periods available in February and at the end of the year to the best advantage for tho training of students. “The proposal submitted would require four staffs to do work that can be done very efficiently by the two staffs that have already been built up in Auckland and Christchurch. Even if at the commencement of tiio scheme the staffs were not as complete as those already in Auckland and Christchurch, there would be a tendency to increase them, especially if the department urged the necessity for more instruction in this or that subject. “It was urged by tho professors that student teachers should not be trained apart from the rest of the professional community. I would point out, however, that, under the conditions existing at present, student teachers are by no means segregated in their training. They have spent three, four or five years in secondary departments with pupils who will enter other professions, and when they enter training college more than half of them will attend university colleges for their degree studies and may, and often do, become members of various university societies. This is a very different state fo affairs from that existing a generation ago. “After very fill) and careful consideration,” concluded the Minister, “I am unable to agreo to the proposal to transfer the training of teachers from the education boards to the university colleges. ’ ’