TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23516, 2 June 1938, Page 2

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

STANDARD IN DOMINION ENGLISH AUTHORITY IMPRESSED TRIBUTE TO WORK OF LOCAL COLLEGE “ From my investigation on the technical side of education in Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, I have formed a favourable impression of the work that is being done,” remarked Dr F. H. Spencer, formerly chief inspector of schools in the city of London, who was engaged by the Carnegie American Trust to make a tour Of inspection of the technical schools of the Dominion. In the course of an interview yesterday Dr Spencer paid a tribute to the standard of education at the King Edward Technical College. “ The people of Dunedin can be reasonably proud of their Technical College and School of Art,” he said, “ for it seems to me that both are well managed. The principal and staff of the college are deserving of the public confidence and. compared with the size of similar institutions in England I should say that the staffing compares favourably.” Culture Not Neglected The problems of a Technical College arose from the industrial needs of its neighbourhood, the visitor continued. In England a town of the size of Dunedin would have more industrial works and, as a consequence, education would be more defined for the student. Under the present conditions, however, the Dunedin College was doing valuable work. There was a good tone at the day school, the boys and girls being well mannered and well behaved, and, while they were doing sufficient work without too much attention being devoted to one particular subject, general culture was not being neglected. An important part of education was carried on in the evening, when part-time students could further their general knowledge, and on the two occasions that he had visited the evening classes good work was being done. At the same time, however, there was not so much of a higher type of education as was carried out in England, but this was because of the industrial conditions of the town, which were not so great as in English towns of this size. As an example, Dr Spencer said that the percentage of students interested in elementary mathematics was small. “ I have pot see a great deal of the primary or high schools,” Dr Spencer continued, “but there is every reason to suppose that education in New Zealand is progressing satisfactorily. I am not competent,” the speaker stressed, “to form a definite opinion on this matter.” System in England In England there was a good system of education prospering, Dr Spencer said, and with certain exemptions, the school age was to be raised to 15 next year. The work in the high schools and technical colleges was more thorough than in the dominions generally In England most secondary schoolboys were only admitted if it were thought that they would benefit from a course. Some of the best work in the dominions, however, was as good as the best in England, only it was not so uniform. i “ Before I leave your country,’ the speaker said, “ I hope o discuss education matters with representatives of the Education Department.” The work of the London county schools differed in detail from *hat of the New Zealand schools, Dr Spencer said, but, really speaking, there were far more resemblances than differences. Good English Spoken Asked whether the general standard of education in New Zealand was as high as in England, Dr Spencer said that he was disinclined to make a comparison—it was too difficult to do so with precision The visitor paid a compliment to New Zealand people, however by remarking that they spoke good English. He also commented favourably on the number of book shops in each of the leading towns. Apart from the books for amusement, the shops were well supplied 'with material providing some depth for the reader. The newspapers also received favourable commendation, Dr Spencer remarking that, as a visitor, he had been impressed by the reasonable news service which was given to the public Dr Spencer, who will leave by air to-day for Christchurch, and thence to Wellington and smaller towns in the North Island, will return Home via the United States, leaving New Zealand about the end of the month.