E—2

The number of teachers entering the profession from this source is shown in the following table: —

From both sources an average of 51 teachers have been trained each year for homescience and homecraft work, but many more could be absorbed into the teaching service. Training of Woodwork and Metalcraft Teachers The Practical Teacher Training Course, initiated by the Department in Auckland at the beginning of 1946 to meet an increasing demand for trained woodwork and metalwork teachers, has now been in operation for three years. During this time 55 woodworkers and 18 metalworkers have completed the course, and in 1948 a further 18 woodworkers were selected from a total of 55 applicants for the 1949 course. The increasing demand for woodwork instructors has been brought about by an increase in the roll, the development of woodwork in the district high schools, and the broadening of the curriculum in the post-primary schools. The trainees, the majority of whom are ex-servicemen, are men who have completed apprenticeships and have had further trade experience as journeymen. There is no doubt that the training received enables them to carry out their duties efficiently and to take their proper place in the normal life of the school.

The following table shows the number of trainees for the last four years :

Training Courses for Commercial Teachers Bpards have for some years experienced difficulty in filling positions for teachers of shorthand, typewriting, book-keeping, and commercial practice, and appointments in most cases have had to be made either from those who have had several years of office experience, but no training as teachers, or from those who have been trained as teachers and have studied one or more commercial subjects in their spare time, but have no practical knowledge of business conditions and organization. To overcome this difficulty, and to assist in increasing the general supply of teachers, a training course was established at the Wellington Technical College in February, 1948, for the purpose of training as teachers of commercial subjects adult students who had already had a number of years of business experience, and who held qualifications in accountancy or in shorthand and typing. Of 88 applicants, 22 were selected. Eight withdrew, so that finally 14 students, 3 men and 11 women, completed the year's training..

20

Number of Number Still Students. Teaching. 1943 24 14 1944 17 11 1945 20 17 1946 • • 20 16 1947 35 33* 1948 36 36* Six years 152 127 * In training.

—■ Woodworkers. Metalworkers. Total. 1946 .. 15 5 20 1947 .. 16 9 25 1948 .. 24 4 28 1949 .. 18 18