CONTINUATION SCHOOLS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3002, 27 September 1911, Page 63

CONTINUATION SCHOOLS.

COMPULSION ADVOCATED. WELLINGTON. September 22. "The problem of the further education, control, and discipline of adoles* cents is to-day engaging the attention of progressive "nations throughout the world," is a remark" appearing in the annual report of the late Minister of Education, the Hon. G. Fowlds. As regards New Zealand the amending act ot last session empowers school committees to request education boards to frame regulations requiring the attendance at continuation or technical classes of young people within the school district who are not otherwise receiving a suitable education, or who are not specially exempted by such regulation* already. The Minister adds :—" There are indications in certain districts of a desire to establish compulsory classes under the act, and in one district at least regulations have been drafted. It is .of the utmost importance that no definite action should be contemplated until there is good reason for believing that the school district is ready for the change, nor until a well-considered and practicable scheme of instruction suited to the needs of the district a.nd of the young persons concerned has been formulated. The education boards in the various districts in which attention is being given to tiie question of compulsory attendance no doubt fully recognise Inat to put forward—for the sake, say, of being first in the fi«ld —some ill-considered scheme, unsuited to the district and unsatisfying to the students, would be to co-art failure at the outset."