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'"-Technical Instruction in…

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Technical Instruction in Flintshire. Rhyl Classes Poorly Attended. The following is the report of the Director of Education on the work of Technical Instruction in the county :—"It will be seen that the total number of students enrolled in all the classes was 1,918, of which number 1,147 (or 59 per cent of the whole) qualified for the Govern- ment Grant. As a rule the attendance was much better before Christmas than after, a fact which points to the desirability of having the greater portion of the work done before Christmas, instead of protract- ing the session into the New Year. The classes did not suffer so much from irregularity of attendance as from total discontinuance of attendance on the part of many students early in the session. The problem to be faced by teachers and local committees is apparently, therefore, not so much how to induce students to join the classes as how to keep them afterwards as effective members until the termination of the course. Probably, if the local gentle- men who formed the committees of manage- ment had occasionally visited the classes, their interest and encouragement would have stimulated the students to better attendance and better work. With a few exceptions (at Leeswood, Buckley, Queens- ferry and Connah's Quay for instance) little interest was shewn in the progress of the respective classes by the managers as a body, in some cases not a single manager paying a visit throughout the session I am glad to say, however, that a few in- dividual managers shewed a keen interest in the welfare of the students from the beginning to the end of the course. You will observe that in some of the classes the attendance was remarkably good. It may be taken for granted that in practically every class, work of a sound character was accomplished, as is testified by the reports of H.M. Inspector, and by the evidence furnished to me during the personal visits which I paid to each class. The examina- tion results in the more advanced work were, however, disappointing, except on the mining and machine construction classes. From a financial point of view the session was a successful one, as may be seen upon reference to the last two columns of the financial statement appended, which shew the actual cost to the County of all the classes excluding Buckley and Pant- asaph. If Buckley and Pantasaph classes be included, the total approximate cost of the County (as far as can be ascertained in the absence of vouchers), will be £292, an amount which is about £47 below the estimate which I submitted to you in September, 1905. In this connection it may be observed that the classes at Pant- asaph were during the past session, con- ducted entirely for the benefit of students- a number of them elementary teachers- who were not attached to the Institution. A surplus of over £ 20 is shewn in the case of the Bagillt classes, and Bagillt National, and Leeswood classes were also financially successful. In view of the fact that the attendance at the vocal music class in Buckley was so large (112 students being enrolled, of whom 87 qualified for grant) and that the Committee have accepted it as a principle that a class of this size is entitled to the services of more than one teacher, the question of the remuneration of Mr Wilfred Jones (who was able to take the whole of the work himself) is recom- mended for special consideration. An excellent start has been made with the work of the new session, and classes have been opened at 26 of the Centres approved by the Committee. In addition, applica- tions for recognition have been received from Ffynnongroew, Flint Common, and Bagillt. The total number of individual students already enrolled is over 1,400, and this number will no doubt be substantially increased. At Caerwys it has been found impossible to form classes, and at four other Centres it has been deemed advisable to discontinue certain subjects. In con- nection with the Rhyl Centre, application is made for permission to continue a French class which is attended by 16 students. I beg to recommend that this class and the classes commenced in the Bagillt National School and at Flint Common, receive your approval. With regard to the application received from Ffynnongroew, there are certain circumstances connected with the management which require careful con- sideration. I understand a memorial con- cerning the matter will be presented to you, and a delegate (Dr Pan Jones) has requested permission to attend to support the application. Little interest appears to be taksn this session in building construc- tion, the number of students enrolled so far at four Centres not exceeding 30. The needlework classes have aroused a great deal of interest, over 90 students, for instance, having been enrolled at Flint, and over 40 at Mold. Classes in other subjects have commenced well, and assist- ant teachers have been appointed (in accordance with Regulation 12) at Gronant, Queen's Ferry, Mold and Flint; at Connah's Quay and Shotton, also, a large number of students have been enrolled, while in connection with the Hawarden County School an application for the services of an assistant is made for the classes in advanced Chemistry which are attended by 17 students. The Dyserth Committee make application for permission to hire a conveyance at a cost of about 3s. per week to take 14 students to the Cookery Class at Prestatyn, this application appears to me to meiit your favourable consideration. An application for the pay- ment of Railway Fares is made on behalf of four Flint Students who wish to attend the machine construction classes at Connah's Quay. The Buckley Local Committee have requested permission for three of their • — §o§

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'"-Technical Instruction in…