TECHNICAL EDUCATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21983, 14 December 1934, Page 15

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

RAPID PROGRESS MADE NEEDS FOR THE FUTURE "It says much for technical education in this city that, in a time of severe depression, we can count the past three years as years of progress for the SecUlon Memorial Technical College," said the chairman of the hoard of managers of the college, Mr. J. A. 0. Alluin, at the annual prize-giving ceremony yesterday. "Every member of the board, the staff and parents generally have been cheered by the progress made." Mr. Allum said the desire for education, and particularly for technical education, had naturally been stimulated by the depression. Technical school work was largely free as yet from the domination of examinations and in this it was fortunate. Post-primary examinations were mostly prescribed by the university and were concerned not so much with preparation for life as with preparation for subsequent work in the university. "Our buildings have cost £70.000, our plant probably £2.5,000, our staff numbers over 50 and our student enrolment is more than 3000," added Mr. Allum. "What is the future of a technical college? It is in manufacturing countries that technical schools have developed most, because progress in manufacture depends directly upon technical efficiency. 1 believe that New Zealand must shortly make the development of her secondary industries an objective of the greatest importance. As a first step, everything possible should be done by the Government to foster institutions like this college "