Technical Education.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 9203, 14 November 1898, Page 2

Technical Education.

MR RILEY’S REPORT TO PARLIAMENT. The report of Mr Arthur D. Riley, director of technical education to the Wellington Educational Board, which was laid on the table of the House and which is based principally on material gathered during his recent visit to many of the most important centres in England and Scotland, is being printed. Mr Riley remarks that in every town he visited he found great activity in regard to technical education, from the smallest elements in the primary schools to the higher stages of university training. As an instance of this feeling he records that last year the Loudon Technical Education Board spent £117,744. Every town of even a few thousand inhabitants provides for the education of the rising generat ion in matters pertaining to everyday life. The report is summarised into the following recommendations(l) Kindergarten schools to be established as part of the primary system of education with central schools for the training of teachers. (2) The following subjects to be considered as. part of the ordinary standard instruction, their introduction to be gradual, and the choice of subjects being left to the teachers’ direction: — Olay modelling, paper folding and cutting, bricklaying, wire work, card board and brush work. (3) A first grade drawing examination for primary schools to be held throughout the colony. (4) Second grade drawing to be taken as a standard of examination for pupil teachers and teachers of primary schools; drawing and elementary science to be separate and distinct from the teacher’s qualification certificate, a pass in one section only being required in each subject in each examination; a special certificate being issued for such success; a qualification certificate being withheld until such passes are obtained; present headteachers and teachers over 40 years of age to be exempt. (5) That a bonus of, say, £2 be paid to teachers completing certificates in the following subjects:— Drawing, elementary science, manual instruction, domestic economy. (6> That a bonus of £3O be paid by education boards towards the salaries of instructors appointed to provide lor the instruction and training of teachers in the following subjects.:—Drawing, ele mentary science, manual instruoUep,

economy. (7) That domestic economy 4 - include practical cooking, which has to be considered as part of the ordinary standard instruction. (8) That the present syllabus be modified to such an extent as to permit the introduction of the above subjects; that a trial in one educational district be made of such modified syllabus, and of classification in lieu of examination. (9) That schools known as “ higher grade schools ” be established in continuation of the primary system. (10) That a trial be made of farm schools as a means of intermediate agricultural education. (11) That provision be made for evening continuation classes coupled with higher commercial education. (12) That “ applied designs be taught in connection with the art schools of the, colony. (13) That every effort be made to associate the employers associations and trades unions with the system of technical education, and that such education given in the recognised technical schools should be accepted—subject to certain conditions being defined —as a part of the scholarship. (14) That attention _be given in each district where technical schools are established to the training of such persons as are likely to prove efficient teachers in the various trades and technical subjects. (16) That a complete scholarship scheme be organised from the primaiy schools to the university. and that a joint scholarship board be established. (16) That special assistance be given by the education boards in the direction of building grants and appliances for manual and technical instruction. (17) That industrial art unions be established, and that the works circulate amongst the schools of art and technical schools throughout the colony, and that arrangements be made for exchange with the science and art departments and the British Museum authorities. (18) That the Education Department establish a sub-department for the control of all technical matters, and the undertaking of technical examinations in connection with the schools of the colony. (19) That a code of regulations be issued by the department containing the fullest possible information in regard to manual and technical instruction, and the same be circulated throughout the colony,