TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Western Star, Issue 2155, 10 November 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

j The Premier's Technical Education ! Bill was brought down on Saturday by message f>om the Governor It is entitled an act to make better provision for manual and technical education. It provides that any education board may from time to time order manual instruction to be given in classes in any specified public school under its control, and a modification of the school system may be made thereupon. This instruction may be given in extra school hours, j The classes which education boards

may establish are continuation classes —classes for manual instruction, for technical instruction, and for practical domestic economy.

It is also provided that licenses may I be granted to other authorities or persons to establish similar classes , but no license in respect of a contmu'i ation class shall be issued to any inI dividual person. j In regard to payments in respect of classes established in case of manual instruction or practical domestic economy, it is, provided that where the instruction is given for two hours or upwards each week through a term of 10 complete weeks a payment in respect of each unit of the average attendance at the class during the term at the rate of Is 9d, multiplied by the number of hours of instruction given in each week of the term, provided that in every case where the length of the term exceeds 10 weeks the aforesaid rate of payment shall be increased by one-tenth of a shilling, and 6d for each complete week of such excess. In the case of technical instruction, where the instruction is .given for one hour or upwards each week through a term of six complete weeks, a payment shall be made in respect of each such unit, computed at the rate, in tbe manner, and on the basis afore- 1 said. ' '

In the case of a continuation class, where the instruction is given for one hour or upwards each week through a term of 10 complete weeks, a payment in respect of each such unit shall be made at the rate of Is, computed in the manner and on the basis aforesaid, provided that in the case of a continuation class no payment shall be made in respect of any public school, the standard whereof is lower than the standard of education as prescribed by regulations under the Education Act, nor in respect of any other subject the teaching whereof is not sanctioned by the Minister, nor in respect of any pupil under the age of 13 years. The rate of payment prescribed may, with consent of the Governor-in-Coun-cil, be increased to the extent of not more than one-half ic the case of any elass under the act which is established and conducted for practical work in any special branch of technical instruction.

The payments provided for are to be made oat of moneys appropriated by Parliament for the purpose, and inspectors may be appointed by the Minister to visit and examine all classes in respect of which money is paid. Voluntary contributions received by education boards for the special purpose of encouraging classes under the act are to be subsidised at the rate 10s per pound, provided that no subsidy shall exceed £3OO at the rate of pound for pound of voluntary contributions other than bequests. Aoy local authority may contribute to the funds. The bill also provides for the appropriation by Parliament of moneys for scholarships, and grants in aid of the erection of buildings.