CONTINUATION EDUCATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 53

CONTINUATION EDUCATION

CHAT WITH THE MINISTER. Havkig in mind the times in which XF* live and the great place that education must take in the new civilisation which is - to arise out of present chacs, a Southland ' • Times reporter broached the subject of continuation education to the Minister (the Hon. J. A. Hanan) on Wednesday. Under sections 110 and 124 of the Education. Act there is provision whereby Tin education board may, on the application of a school committee, and with the concur-"""-rence of the Minister, make regulations requiring the attendance at a technical schooL continuation claeses, or classes of , ail young persons between the ages of 14-' and 18 in the school district who are nofs otherwise receiving suitable education, or who are not specially exempted by the regulations. School committees have had this power, subject .to the higher approval, of enforcing continuation education up to the age of 18 in their districts for seven years, but in only 17 school districts, , in four education districts—all in the North Island, —is there such compulsory continuation education to-day. A number of these - 17 school districts have availed themselves • of the opportunity sinco the Hon. Mr Hanan took up the portfolio of Education. The Minister mentioned to the pressman that reports from all the districts Iconcorned told of general satisfaction at whai was being done. There are difficulties in the way of this local compulsion system, and Mr Hanan remarked that the opinion was growing in the minds of educationalists and social re- * formers throughout this and other countries that continuation education, to be effective, must be compulsory, and must be given in the day time. Bettor results could thereby 'bo secured. The British Board of Education not long ago recommended that- all young persons between .the ages of 14 and 18, with certain specified exemptions,- should be compelled to attend continuation classes in the- day time for not less than eight hours per week for 40 weeks 'in the year. In Britain a number of business firms have been giving time off during the day to their employees so that, they may attend classes. "1 believe," said the Minister, "'that later on one of the reforms—and it will be a great reform—that will bo put into operation in this country will be one along the linos of the'"Home recommendation—compulsory day continuation classes with part time off. But a't the' present time." he qualified, "the depletion, of our teaching ranks through enlistment, the lack of accommodation, etc., make it difficult to give effect to certain reforms."