WORK IN THE SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15847, 18 February 1915, Page 7

WORK IN THE SCHOOLS.

MANUAL AND TECHNICAL.

BOARD ADOPTS REFORMS,

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

An interesting report of a visit of inspection in connection with manual and technical education in the Wanganui education district, and a proposed new departure in fanning education, was submitted to the Auckland Education Board yesterday by the chairman, Mr. G. J. Garland, Mr. E. ('. Banks, and the senior inspector, Mr. E. K. Mulgan. " With regard to Technical School classes, said the report, "the Wanganui district is divided into three administrative areas, and the supervisor of agriculture in each area is responsible for the arrangements as to the attendance of all special instructors at the schools. The manual work is supervised by the inspectors, who determine what subjects are necessary, how those should be treated, and what modifications are required. The material and apparatus needed in these elapses are supplied by the board on the recommendation of an instructor or an inspector, ;us the caee may be, the recommendation being reported on by the chief inspector. Technical classes, held chiefly during the evening, are in operation in quite a number of the smaller centres. Some form of gardening or elementary agriculture is compulsory in all schools, many of which are visited by the instructors six, eight, or even ten times, during the year. Amongst the subjects of instruction provided for teachers are agriculture and dairy science, in which courses of practical work are held from time to time. " A special feature is mad© of the work in elementary agriculture, horticulture, and orchard work carried on in the schools, and much has been done, towards Interesting the farming community in the progress of what is known as rural eduj cation

Partly as a result of our visit and |" partly because of the importance of the ' ; issues involved, we are of opinion that ! ' certain changes in this district are neces- l sary in the general administration of ' manual training, so far as it affects our i : primary schools, as also in that of techni- ' cal education, so far a.' it affects districts , or communities beyond the reach of the i Technical College. We regard the development of that phase of manual training, ; known as agricultural education, as of the ; very first importance, and consider that : our staff and equipment is still insuffi- ' cient to do justice, in this connection, to ; the schools and to the community. : "We would point out and lay'emphatic ! stress on the necessity for winning the i confidence and securing the co-operation , of the farming interest. ! "We are of opinion that more agricultural instructors are required, and would : | recommend that, as a beginning, an addi- ; tionrd instructor be appointed. I | "With regard to the direction and control of manual instruction in the primary schools, and the technical and manual training outside the Technical College, we ' are of opinion that, in view of the large amount of personal supervision necessary for the success of the work, the board would be well advised to appoint a supervisor of manual instruct and technical education, to act the direction of (ho senior inspector. This appointment should be made without forth i- delay. : "In view of the uncertainty as to the i future boundaries of this district, we would further recommend that the po--j- I tion of supervisor he offered to Mr. J. P. ! Kalaugher, the appointment to take effect j on April 1 and last until the end of 1915, when the question of supervision could be reconsidered." The chairman traversed (he report and emphasised the necessity for taking a forward step. Mr. A. Burns hoped that whatever was done would be done thorotighlv. The report was discussed in 'committee and adopted.