TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11632, 6 September 1918, Page 5

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

EDUCATION MINISTER’S VIEWS Per Press Association. Wellington, Sept 5. The Minister of Education, addressing the conference of directors of Technical Schools said primary school teachers held strong views against early specialisation. They objected to differentiation before the age of fourteen, and in that respect were in conflict with technical teachers. The views of the secondary school teachers were'in conflict with hqth seta of teachers. Regarding the syllabus, he urged that the number of subjects should he reduced, in order to get thoroughness, hut primary school teachers and inspectors said the syllabus was satisfactory. So, with the course of instruction in secondary schools and the University. His idea was that it would be for the good of the general education system if there were occasional meetings of University, secondary and technical teachers, in order that all should get a general idea of the system as a whole. Technical education had not been in existence long in this country. Conditions had been allowed to grow which called for review. He feared that we were not giving in the Technical Schools enough attention to workshop practice. In the trade classes in some schools, too much attention was given to theory and not enough to practical hand work. He "was strongly impressed with tha need for continued education, and he had been asked many times to give effect to the proposals made, but he was under the necessity of cosidering the practical side of those proposals, If they were accepted, they'could not be made operative. In some towns the schools in existence would not hold the classes. The question of reorganisation in education was likewise not easy. The local controlling authorities had wide powers with which the Minister could not interfere without legislation. He had investigated the capitation matter and said frankly that he was far from satisfied. There must be some alteration. More money would have to he found for education, but to provide for ail the reforms demanded would require a sum which no Cabinet could think of voting. He did not consider the salaries system for technical teachers satisfactory. Mere supervision would have to he exercised over technical education, and an officer in charge would have to ho appointed. He was very auxious to see agricultural education developed. Trade classes for industrial training must have more attention at technical schools.