COMPULSORY TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12256, 2 July 1909, Page 3

COMPULSORY TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

In his report to the Wanganui Education Board at the last meeting the Chief Inspector said :— The Chairman, Education Board, Wanganui. Sir,—l have, the honour to submit, in accordance with the Board's request, tho following memorandum on compulsory training at Technical Schools as the counterpart of compulsory military training. The question is perhaps one for the politician rather than for the educationalist, and it is accordingly with some diffidence that I approach it. We must prepare for peace as well as for war, for it is in. time of peace that tho sinews of war are provided; not only so. but owing to- the extreme delicacy with which in modern times soc'al forces are balanced, it is perhaps more difficult to prepare for peace than for war. In any en so compulsion in the one direction is the necessary corollarj' to compulsion in the other.

All flomoetent authorities arc agrefvl that the majority of young people withdraw th<?mfolvs from fehool influenc - at too early an age. It is just when, khas been said, young people are most impressionable and at the fame tiim stand most in nerd of intelloctual an-' moral stimulus that they are turno-i adrift. During this period—fr-m 15 years and upwards—the mind and body of the average youth is best prepared t"> receive instruction not merely in "broad ami butter" studios but also in those studios, such as literature and history, that provide suitable soil for the germination of moral ideals. It is for this reason that boys should remain under the influence of the school till they are at Jeast 17 years of ago. It is time enough for them to come under the influence of the drill sergeant after they have completed their 17th year. Not that there should he no physical training or military drill till that age. There, should be much more than there now is. but such training should be regarded rather as part of the education of boys rather than the boys as part of the country's defence force.

But to come to the point. In view of impending changes in the training of our young people, I'would suggest the following as the lines on which the changes should be made:— (1) No child should be allowed to enter the primary school before the age of 6.

(2) The age of compulsory attendance should be raised from 14 to 15.

(3) At 14 pupils should be examined for free nlaces^ at district high, secondary, and technical schools.

(4) Parents should be required to sign a bond that their children trill pass not less than three years at whichever of these schools they may choose that their children shall attend. Failing; attendance, the fees to be paid in full.

(5) Boys and girls who either fail to lake a free place or who do not desire to do so to remain at school till the ago of 15, a proficiency examination to be then held.

(G) The syllabus for the last year of school life to provide for ample training in literature, history, civics, practical arithmetic, and practical subjects, the number of subjects being rigidly circumscribed.

(7) From the age of 15 to 17 all boys should be made to attend a technical school, or, failing that, a primary school for instruction in technical^ subjects. The course to be: For pupils who have taken the- proficiency certificate—Literature and one trade, commercial, art, or. professional subject; and for those who failed to take the proficiency certificate—Literature, composition, practical arithmetic, and one technical subject. (8) The minimum number of hours of attendance should be two hours per week, attendance to bo in the afternoon or evening, as may be arranged. (9) Girls to attend also, but for domestic subjects and English. These provisions would apply more particularly to town schools. As to country schools, boys and girls between the- ages of 15 and 17 won't! be required during the slack season to attend at some central echool for the same instruction as is prescribed for town pupils, as far as it may be possible to provide for such instruction.

With respsct to physical training and military drill, much more should be done throughout the school course than is done now. and the instruction should be continued during the years of compulsory attendance- at the technical or continuation schools.

As to cost: It is not so much a matter of cost.in money as of a sacrifice of personal convenience on the part of the young people the parents, and employers, and the teachers. If, however, j n, change is necessary, the price must i be paid. Perhaps the whole position may in tbo meantime, be summed up in a memorial to th<? Education Denartmr>nt fe+tinc out tbnt the Bonrd believes that the establishment of onmpulsory military training shou'd be balanced by furhcr compulsory educational training, and respectfully asks the Minister to keen tbis v:ew in mind when the question of comniils^rv military tvaninp: comes before the House.—l am, etc., GEO. D. BRA IK. Mr Guthri" said that- in h'fi orvini^n this was far too important a eubjoct to lie (]piH, with bnrried'v. Rp therefore, mov^d thnt n discussion, of ihe roiy^rt 1"« <\f>ff>rro<\ till the next meeting of the i Beard.—Carried.