ATTENDANCES AT NIGHT CLASSES ARE SMALLER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18548, 23 August 1928, Page 11

ATTENDANCES AT NIGHT CLASSES ARE SMALLER.

TECHNICAL CONFERENCE DISCUSSES CAUSES.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, August 23. * Among the subjects referred to at ™ e Technical Education Association’s Conference for consideration by the Minister of Education was that of the relative decay of evening classes, especially in domestic work.

It was stated that, whereas in the last ten years the attendance at technical high schools had increased by oyer 100 per cent, and that in district high schools and secondary schools bv over 50 per cent, the numbers in the evening classes of technical schools have not increased appreciably, even in the industrial courses, while there has been a large decrease in the number of girls taking the subjects of the domestic course.

At yesterday’s sitting of the conference, Mr W. S. La Trobe, for the Department, submitted some figures in support of the Minister’s contention. Mr H. Trumbel submitted that the real cause was that more of the children were attending day classes, and therefore did not need to attend evening classes.

Mr F. W. Martin (Mastertcn) suggested that evening classes should take more advanced courses. (Hear, hear.)

Mr J. R. Kirk said he thought that behind the question was whether the syllabus- for domestic subjects was satisfactory. Were girls receiving satisfactory training, or should the classes be extended in hygienics and home sci-

Mr J. G. Howell suggested that the Minister should be asked to give a definite indication of where decay had taken place. Mr R. S. Sage (Hawera) said that the increase in the attendance at day classes indicated the reason.

Small schools were handicapped by lack of income and small staffs in giving the teaching desired, said Mrs liarrer. They could not get teachers for special subjects, and could only employ part-time, teachers. There should be one larger school to serve these districts.

Dr Hansen pointed out that pupils attending girls' high schools and girls attending technical high schools were compelled to take a proportion of domestic science.

It was decided to ask the Minister to furnish further information as to where decay had occurred.