N.S.W. EDUCATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23082, 7 January 1937, Page 13

N.S.W. EDUCATION

EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS THE “ACTIVITY ” CLASS 'From Oub Own Correspondent! SYDNEY, Dec. 31. Development of the education system in New South Wales during 1937 will include the reorganisation of technical education under a Bill now in draft form, with a probable wider measure of power for the technical advisory councils: the extension, it is hoped, of special schools for mentally handicapped children; the opening of additional classes for children of superior ability; and an expansion of the guidance clinic movement for the “ problem child.” An Act providing for the reform of the examination system will be proclaimed in March. A little known but vitally important aspect of educational reform in New South Wales during the present year has been that affecting the child of post-primary years who is not academically inclined, but who has an aptitude for manual activities. For that class of boy what is termed an activity class has been opened in one of the inner suburbs, the object of it being to foster and

develop special inclinations and to save such lads if possible from blind-alley occupations when they leave school. Of the 120 boys enrolled in the activity class many had already arranged to leave school, but with the institution of the class they are taking advantage of its facilities to fit themselves for some useful job. The authorities recognised the futility of proceeding with the fullcourse curriculum in the case of boys of only average ability Who are not of the studious type. Experts are watching this reform with extreme interest. The extension of it may change the outlook of thousands of boys who chafe under the ordinary school curriculum because of aptitudes which, they feel, do not fit in with it. The Minister of Education (Mr Drummond) has returned from a tour abroad with a number of ideas which he hopes to put into effect in the educational system, especially on the technical side. He hopes that the amending Education Act which will shortly be proclaimed will give many poor but brilliant scholars an opportunity to attend the university. Mr Drummond anticipates that the Act . will improve materially the position of exhibitioners at the university by providing one living allowance to every five exhibitioners in lieu of the 15 bursaries provided at present.