TRAININGSCHOOLS FOR TEACHERS

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11045, 5 September 1903, Page 6

TRAININGSCHOOLS FOR TEACHERS

(From .tjur Parliamentary Special). (By TelegraiDh). WELLINGTON, September 4. The Education' Committee which met yesterday had before it the proposal of the Department for tho training of teachers. -Mr Hog/ben advises that the existing 1 facilities for training are insufficient and not altogether satisiactory. He 'proposes' to establish four training colleges, one in each centre, under the Department. These ought to be .near the University Colleges, -arid- the teachers in training ought, to take their literary work in such ' colleges, in 1 order (1) to avoid the expense of duplicating instruction in such subjects common to the University course, and, examination for teachers' certificates';" and (2) to secure" for our teachers the greater breadth of view and wider .which they would get by mixing with those destined for other professions. Tlte four normal schools should be .open to teachers from all parts of the colony, and not merely to teachers of the Educa- .! ticm -.Distriqt in which they are situated. A school, Hr Hogben thinks, with 250 to ''.'•Bo in average-a ttendance, would be best suited for the purpose, and it would be a matter of arrangemenb with • the Education Boards whether 1 the , Department should take' 'over some of the existing schools for normal schools or should build special schools. The alternative would give the Department exactly the kind of : building it requires. The new - normal schools should be open to all students who can pas's a qualifying examination, which as soon as possible should be the matriciiT * latidrt examination of the University; and a period of probation should Be required from all except those who haye 1 been pupil teachers for two years or mote and -were recommend efd by the Boards of Education. One year's training should for Represent * be given, and those who have completed their pupil teaching an Allowance of <£50 a" yeair oughj; to be given., with .£lO q.dded " 'if compelled to live away from" tibmei The cost' is 'estimated " as follows: — Additional

salaried, lecturers on education, - 400 to 160 students* teacl^era' allowances ' (JB8800) ! jEIO,'BOO, less dost of present nor■,mal schools (.£3600); net additional 1 , cost, ..£7,200, As.& matter of policy, ijb fiiight be ( well to, start eciiools in Wellington and • ATuckSand at once,' "alibwing the present .arrangements at Dunedm and Christ- ; church to continue for another year.