E.—s

6

elementary vocational training. The conviction is steadily growing that this dual training is capable of producing both trained intelligence and technical knowledge of the highest value to the State and to the individual. Mr. W. L. Hichens, Chairman of one of the largest engineering firms in the United Kingdom, when addressing a company of headmasters of English secondary schools, said, " the true function of education is to teach young people how to learn and how to live — not how to make a living." But if in our study of educational factors and values we find a method of instruction which trains intelligence and discovers aptitude indicating the path in the industrial life a youth should take, we may surely teach both " how to live " and " how to make a living " ; at any rate, the attempt is made in the technical high schools, and it is contended that so far the attempt has not been without success. In this connection it may not be out of place again to quote from the address by Mr. Hichens. He says, " Strong pressure is being brought to commercialize our education, to make it a paying proposition, to make it subservient to the god of wealth, and thus convert us into a money-making mob. Ruskin has said 'no nation can last that has made a mob of itself.' Above all. a nation cannot last as a money-making mob. It cannot with impunity —it cannot with existence—go on despising literature, despising science, despising art, despising nature, despising compassion, and concentrating its soul on pence." The number of students in attendance at technical high schools during the year Was as follows I- ffigh gtar of Students. Auckland .. .. .. .. .. ..535 595 Christchurch .. .. .. .. .. ..453 532 Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. 339 422 Wellington .. .. .. . . .. 336 414 lnvereargill .. .. .. .. .. ..280 297 Wanganui .. .. .. .. .. .. 250 258 Napier .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 127 203 Westport .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 26 2,347 2,747 The enrolment of students for the year, which shows an increase of 400 pupils— 17 per cent, on that for 1917 —must be regarded with satisfaction when it is recognized that these boys and girls were continuing their education beyond the primary stage, which in all probability would not have been the case had there been no technical high schools. Of the total number in attendance 698, or 55 per cent., received industrial training in mechanical and electrical engineering and allied trades, and 1,482 boys and girls took the commercial course. The number of pupils taking up the various courses provided was as follows : — ~ Number of Pupils. Course. ~ ,-,. . x rr . , Boys. Grirls. Total. Industrial .. .. .. .. ..698 .. 698 Commercial and general .. .. .. 390 1,092 1,482 Domestic .. .. .. .. .... 385 385 Agriculture .. .. .. .. .. 177 .. 177 Art .. .. .. .. .. .... 5 5 Totals .. '.. .. .. 1,265 1,482 2,747 It will be seen that nearly 54 per cent, of the pupils took commercial and general courses, probably due to the demand for the services of young persons so trained brought about by war conditions, but more probably due, as has been well said, to " the primal curse which demands that as soon as the law permits the children must be turned into money —must become wage-earners —contributors to the family exchequer." The commercial course appears to be the shortest cut to this desired end ; results from the economic standpoint may be questionable. Capitation amounting to £32,474 was earned in respect of 2,692 pupils (of whom 2,455 were free pupils), as compared with £28,119 in 1917 in respect of 2,303 pupils. The average amounts of capitation earnings per head were £12-56 in the case of free pupils who qualified for capitation, and £6-9 in the case of other pupils.