TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12255, 1 July 1909, Page 5

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

FIRST CONFERENCE OF

DIRECTORS

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, June 30. The. first conference of Directors and Supervisors of Technical Education and Manual Training in New Zealand was held in Wellington to-day at the office of the Education Board. The following gentlemen were present:—Messrs Geo. George (Auckland), F. D. Opie (Palmerston North), R. Grant (Timaru), W. A. McCaw (Southland), A. Varney (Wanganui), W..S. Latrobe (Wellington), W. Fossey (Napier),. J/H. Howell (Chnstchurch), E. King (Petone). Messrs G. Hogben . (Inspector-General of Schools) and Mr M. H. Brown (Inspector of Technical Schools) were in attendance. ■'".■ .

The conference sat in committee during the morning. Mr Hogben extended a hearty welcome to the members of the conference, as he considered the objects were such that the Education Department would be very pleased to assist in bringing them about, as they would be of much .benefit.

It was decided to form an Association of Directors and Superintendents of Technical Education and Maiiual Training. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Howell, McCaw, Varney, and George George was .appointed to 'draw up rules for the working of the Association.

A motion was passed instructing the Association to draw up an agreement form to be used in the enrolling of technical students throughout the Dominion.

It was decided to recommend, the Education Department to adopt a morning and afternoon roll book in place of the present class registers in the case of day technical schools.

Mr Hogben. said the motion was a reasonable one, and the Department would try. and simplify the present arrangements.

It was resolved—"That in lieu of the present system of payment of capitation on account of brush drawing and other fsuch hand-work subjects the Department be asked to make a block grant to Education Boards at the rate of 9d per head on the average attendance of pupils in public schools."

Mr Hogben expressed sympathy with the idea of trying to simplify the present system of claims for capitation. It was decided that in the requirements for. certificates of proficiency, due weight or consideration should be given to the subjects of manual training and domestic science. It was decided to recommend to the Department that no alteration in the regulations under-the Manual and Technical Instruction Acts gazetted after January Ist of any year should come into force until after the end of the following year. Other recommendations to the Department w,e£e decided upon.as follows: —"That the present capitation rate is insufficient. In the case of advanced technical classes the rate should be revised and made dependent upon the stage of the instruction given and upon the nature of the subjects." "That the grants for huildings for Technical School purposes should be made on a definite basis, that of population being probably the most satisfactory.".