TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1628, 3 May 1919, Page 3 (Supplement)

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

ITS AIMS AND OBJECTS.

Jn the course of his report at the meeting of the Christchurch Technical College Board of Governors last night the chairman (Mr C. H. Opie) referred to the fact that the late president of the Canterbury Industrial Association (Mr A. W. Jamieson"), had inferred at the annual meeting of the association, held recently, that the college was mainly concerned in commercial training, such as shorthand, bookkeeping and typewriting, because of the importance of securing the larger capitation from the Government. This insinuation, said Mr ODie, was entirely unworthy. The object of the college was to serve the true interests of education, and not to betray them in order that a higher capitation might be earned. As a matter of fact the rates of capitation paid by the Government for commercial subjects were the lowest of all, while typewriting, which was.one of the most expensive subjects to teach, received the lowest rate of capitation. "The president talked about the ; purpose for which technical colleges were originally founded," continued Mr Opie. "It may be pointed out that the technical colleges have never been merely trade schools, but they have always taken the wide conception of their function that it is to provide for the needs of the community in whatever department of training such need is shown. They have therefore included home science as well as engineering, bookkeeping and shorthand, as well as carpentry, agriculture, as well as plumbing, and the common sense of the business community will, I am sure, approve of this conception of the duty of -he technical colleges. It would indeed be doing a grave injustice to those members of the community who wished for themselves or their children the advantages of commercial training if they were to be refused the same privileges as those requiring trade training." Mr J. A. Black, who represents the Industrial Association on the board, asked that a return of the capitation of the various classes be prepared. This was agreed to, and it was decided to forward a copy of this return to Mr Jamieson.