TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4312, 22 March 1901, Page 3

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

REVIEW OF YEAR’S WORKING

AX INTERESTING SUMMARY

The director of the Technical School, Air A. D. Riley, has made his annual report on tho year’s working. In regard to primary instruction, Mr Riley says that much bolder work in drawing is being done. The present condition of tho general syllabus prevents that broad expansion of drawing and hand and eye work oembined be ng successfully dealt with. Hy a combination of drawing, modelling, colour-work and elementary design, a more intelligent

and harmonious system of work may be arranged with advantage to our primary school system. Tho first-grade examination is to bo continued until the Education Department has issued its new regulations relative to primary instruction. Hand and eyo exercises have con. sidorably increased in numbers during the year.

There has been no'progress in the work of manual instruction in wood. The regulations issued by tho Education Department prevent tho ocntral system, being adopted; the instruction can only, therefore, be given in each individual school by a teacher of the school. This will naturally increase tho cost of tho work, for each school will require complete sots of tools and a workshop. Tho first difficulty is that of training tho teachers themselves. This will naturally take considerable time, and earn will bo required in tho selection of iv suitable instructor. Tho work of the sixty-two scholars holding primary drawing free studentships has been satisfactory. The boys’ course of manual instruction has been considerably improved. The girls.’ course included light and shade and colour work upon brown paper as well as clay mod. oiling. This section acts as a. connecting link between the primary and the Technical School.

Speaking of the classes for the instruction of teachers and pupil teachers, Mr Riley says that the work done in plane and solid 1 geometry and model drawing was fairly efficient ; the free handl and blackboard drawing showed lack of interest, particularly the latter subject, which is generally considered a trial by the junior teachers. If those in at. tendance would only try to appreciate the great advantages this work gives them in ordinary class teaching, there would not bo the present tendency to snirk the same when possible. Tho more advanced classes have maintained their standard of efficiency. Many pupil teachers are indifferent ini the matter of attendance; strong .measures will be necessary to cheek this in future. As no capitation is now granted by the Education Department, the singing classes have been discontinued, much to tho regret of a large number of teachers who were receiving, valuable assistance in their methods of class teaching. As regards the examinations, in the higher .grade work there has been a. considerable diminution of candidates, practically only those who found it necessary to present themselves; for teaching of trade certificates coming forward. Wherever possible students have been dis--suadecl from taking these examinations unless) certificates are especially required. The number of papers examined during the year was 6995, and the number of certificates issued 4256. The number of certificates issued in all grades since the school was established in 1886 is 49.197, subdivided as follows:—Primary or first grade, 41,086; intermediate or second grade, 4285 -, higher or thirl grade, 1467; South Kensington, 3to0; and the City and Guilds of London, 129.

Mr Riley says he has suggested the recognition of tho Victoria University College by tho City and Guild of uioudon in order that students may qualify in the laboratories of the college for certain science subjects, and thus bo enabled to dispense with the English examinations. Concluding his. report, Mr Riley says:—“The passing of the Technical Instruction Act will enable the work of the school to be pushed forward. . . There is urgent need of further accommodation. ... In many sections of work only a .part of me complete course can be carried out owing to the want of workshops and classrooms. The new Act will enable public bodies, such as the City Council and the Industrial Association, to obtain representation for their contributions. I sincerely hope that the City Council will see its way to grant the site now reserved next . to tho Technical School for tho purpose of extension. Assistance will bo rendered lin accordance with the tonus of the ■ regulations towards the erection of I buildings and the furnishing of the class- ■ rooms. Assistance is also rendered towards the general upkeep and appliances, I thus relieving the pressure upon the ! Board’s funds to a very considerable j extent.” • Tho receipts-of the .school, during the .past year amounted to £1973 15s lid, and tho expenditure to £3440, Is 4d.