YOUNG LONDON

Opunake Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3134, 2 August 1927, Page 4

YOUNG LONDON

“BETTER CHANCES.” The preference for boys and girls for work in commercial offices rather than industrial occupations is' dwelt upafe| ii. a report by the Educa 4 It mlitre of t hr* London (says the London “Daily In March 1910, the council "established a system of schools known as the central schools. These schools, the committee remark, fo.m one of'the most satisfactory and best conducted departments of the London educational system. They were established to give over a four years’ course, a training in which there should be a definite commercial or industrial bias. Since 1!)11 there lias been a change of emphasis with respect to preparation for commerce and industry. There were then 14 schools for boys with an industrial bias and 18 with a commercial bias. By 1923 the numbers were 21 and 37, so that, while the number of commercial schools doubled, the industrial bias schools increased only one-half. fie, 'Schools for girls show a still grater disparity. In 1911 there were 13 industrial bias schools and 15 with commercial bias; by 1925 the numbers were 17 and 38, so that while the industrial increased about one-third the commercial bias schools were multiplied by about two and a half. For the past few years, up to 1925, all changes in bias have been from industrial to commercial, and the later figures show a corresponding drift to the commercial basis. The committee proceeds:

London is the greatest commercial centre in the world, and therefore, the greatest centre of office employment. The “commercial” bias of central schools is designed principally as a preparation for office work. But London is also a great manufacturing centre, and comprises within its population a far greater number of people engaged in all kinds of transport, and, for instance, in building, than any other city. Account must therefore be taken of the needs of industry M well as of office, and of offices where a knowledge of industry is important. Discussing the reasons which have led to the increase in the “commercial” bias schools, the committee points out that affice work to many parents, as well as to many pupils, is more attractive than industrial work because of the condition of employment and the chances of promotion. There is also a better chance for the success of the 'commercial* bias because office employers often prefer boys and girls of 16 to'those of 14, which is not often the case with industrial employers. Further, the “commercial” bias is more easily transplanted into practice} commercial subjects cttta be readily acquired by , professional teachers Efid less special equipment is necessary* The committee note that: The term “industrial bias,” as ttp» plied to a central school is, in itself, & disadvantage, inasmuch as parents ate apt to associate the term withpother system of schools. We thinkßtherfc* fore, that central schools ImhertO known ns having an industrial bias should be designated “central school! With a technical bias.” \ Remarking that facilities for office Instruction have increased much more rapidly than those for non-office occupations, the committee expressed the