NELSON EDUCATION BOARD.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 12019, 21 August 1907, Page 5 (Supplement)

NELSON EDUCATION BOARD.

REPORT BY THE TECHNICAL

COMMITTEE

At the last meeting of the Education Board Messrs Lock and Friinklyn, for the Technical Committee, submitted a report on technical education in tbe East and Middle Wards for the term ending May 10th, 1907. It showed that the attendance at the Nelson Technical Sphool was as follows: — (1) Technical classes, roll 117, average attendance 83; (2) continuation classes, roll 91, average attendanca 51 ; totals, roll 203, average attendance 137; (3) school classes, 130 boys (woodwork), 113 girls (cookery). The summary of attendance, together with the list of classes at other centres was given as follows: — Wakefield (1), technical classes: dressmakingG, commercial 11, agriculture 29; (2) school classes: woodwork, cookery, and dressmaking 120. Richmond, (1) technical classes: dress making 9, agriculture 16; (2) school classes: not available. Motueka, j (1) technical classes: agricultuie 2J, dressmaking (not available); (2), school classes (not available). Brightwater, (1) technical classes: dressmaking 13. Besides the above, it had been proposed to start classes in Nelson in advanced book-keeping, heat, sound, and light, but they fell through for lack of support. The attendance on the whole had been fairly satisfactory, but there was still room for a good deal of improvement. In regard to the classes at Motueka the present | arrangement was purely temporary, and did not allow of the carrying oq of classes for whlah there was an apparent demand. The Committee urged on the Board the necessity of renewing the application to the Department for the necessary suitable accommodation. The Committee had visited the Nelson Technical School,and approved of the additions and alterations that had been carried out by the Superintendents. In order to place the payment of teachers in the Technical Schools on a more equitable basis, and at the same time safeguard the general fund of the Board, the Committee agreed to a inehod of payment which they advised should be generally adopted throughout the district. In regard to the proposals of Mr Ferguson for the establishment of technical classes at Bainham, the Committee did not consider that the size of the district warranted such a scheme at present.

The report was adopted, and the Committee were thanked for same.

It was considered that the success of technical classes in the district was assured, and that the establishment of these schools had been fully justified.