EXCHANGING TEACHERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21727, 16 February 1934, Page 13

EXCHANGING TEACHERS

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTORS LACK OF FACILITIES Comment on the lark of facilities for the exchange of technical school teachers between the Dominion and countries overseas was made at a meeting yesterday of the Seddon Memorial Technical College Hoard of Managers. "This is a question with which I have been concerned for years," remarked the principal, G. J. Park. "Fortunately, we in Auckland are in the position of being able to derive a certain amount of information and experience from visitors from overseas, but provision for the exchange of our

teachers with those from abroad is a vital need."

The speaker cited a course of mathematics for engineers' apprentices which was .a new i;ype of instruction for New Zealand teachers, and with which they conic:, -only become conversant by going abroad. "It is necessary that some of our leading teachers should travel," continued Mr. Park, "and trips should be arranged to Australia or the United Kingdom."

Mi'. Park said he had communicated with the Education Department, requesting provision of facilities for the exchange of technical school teachers, and iit reply had been received that the department would not consider such a scheme. "If some scheme were put into operation," continued the speaker, "the cost involved would probably not be vi!:ry great, as arrangements could be made for the teachers exchanged to receive their usual salaries while abroad."

The opinion that as primary school teachers were exchanged, teachers in other schools should be given the same opportunities, was expressed by the chairman ol: the board, Mr. J. A. C. Allium.

A motion, was carried expressing approval of the principal's request to the Education Department, and urging the department to reconsider the matter.