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JOHORE BAHRU :
The State of Johore pursues an educational policy quite apart from the other Malay States and largely ascribes its freedom from an unemployment problem to this policy. All promotions from the Malay to the English Schools are by a Scholarship Scheme. great care being taken to prevent more boys obtaining an English education than can be absorbed by the Government Departments and foreign firms operating in the State.
Some alarm has recently been felt at the increasing spread of immigrant Chinese among the outlying villages, where their greater industry and skill has, in many cases, enabled them to corner the local carpentry and tailoring trades. To prevent this peaceful invasion producing unemployment among the Malay population, it was de- cided to open the Trade School at Johore Bahru,
Students for the Trade School are recruited from the lower stages of the English Schools from those boys who seem more likely to make successful artizans than clerks; and also by selection from the upper classes of the Malay Schools.
The work done is largely on the lines of Bagan Serai, but actual instruction is given in the design, layout, construction, and erection, of simple timber structures. Where considerations of space intervene, e.g. in building a complete wooden house, the building is made half size.
In the tailoring section instruction is given in cutting and making all types of garments; and in this work particularly the Malay is said to excel. A member of a high class tailoring establishment at Singapore visits the school once a week and has commented very favourably on the standard of work done.
Both the carpentry and tailoring sections have a scheme whereby students, during their training, can, by industry, accumulate some capital with which to start business. All afternoon work is voluntary, and during this time all work for which payment is received is carried out. After paying for materials plus 10%, the students working on any job are credited with a proportion of the profits, depending on seniority and the number of hours worked. The student is only entitled to this money on satisfactory completion of his course.
It is contemplated that, on setting up for themselves, these boys will be assisted by a subsidy of work from the Government until they are well established.
(8) FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
Until there is a revival in rubber and tin there is very little possibility of the further development of the Trade School system in the Federated Malay States. The importance of handwork is, however, not being lost sight of, and all schools, both for boys and girls, are introducing handicraft classes as soon as may be convenient.
In the Straits Settlements it is worthy of note that the Trade School vote, large as it is, was the only one which was not challenged on presentation of the last Estimates. Indeed, the general interest shown by the community in this development is very great, much space being devoted in the press to discussion as to the lines which should be followed. Such an interest can only arise from a strong belief in the value of the training received, and should be of great help to boys seeking employment.
At Singapore a vigorous policy of expansion is probable. Over 30,000 houses exist without modern sanitation, and these are to be converted in due course. There is a great dearth of plumbers in Singapore and a branch school specialising in plumb- ing is to be opened. It is proposed that only plumbers holding a municipal certificate be allowed to undertake the foregoing work, the standard required for the compulsory trade test being set by the Trade School, whose staff will conduct the examination on which the required certificate will be issued. A School of Building is also proposed, but this is at present in abeyance, there being a very close "Building Ring" in the Straits. The training of overseers and inspectors for the Public Works Department is a possible side issue.
Consideration is being given to the training of boys in such trades as printing, book binding, sign writing and the other activities which come under the headings of
Arts and Crafts".
An endeavour is also being made to establish a School of Electrical Engineering. It is recognised that this will require very delicate treatment as the gap between the Electrical Fitter and the Electrical Engineer is very large and almost impossible to bridge, unless the student has a first class general education. The Electrical Fitter would probably be recruited from boys who have done two years' Trade School and then two years' Specialised work on electrical machines, instruments, cables, install- .ation, etc. The demand for this class of work is at present not great, but the future large requirements of the Naval Base should be carefully gauged. Some degree of specialising in wireless repair would probably be financially sound, but a large amount of blackboard work, possibly as evening classes, would be essential for the sound working of an Electrical Engineering Branch of the Trade School.
A new Trade School is about to be opened in Malacca, but it is not yet decided what form this school will take.
(9) SUMMARY OF SALIENT POINTS.
(1) There is no special pre-apprenticeship system in Malaya.
(2) There is no permanent resident population with an industrial tradition from which
to draw pupils.
(3) The standard of education required of entrants to Trade Schools is high.
(4) Age of Trade School entrants is about 15—16.
(5) The Trade Schools supply a complete apprenticeship.
(6) The standard of skill is extremely high.
(7) The automobile repair trade is well adapted to the Trade School System.
(8) Passed students are specially suitable for accurate work such as is required for
aircraft or armaments.
(9) Students now in employment are very satisfactory.
(10) The cost per head is not excessive.
(11) Local opinion favours extension of the Trade School Scheme.
(12) The Straits Settlements contemplate Schools of Electrical Engineering, Plumbing,
Building and "Arts & Crafts".
(13) The Commercial value of English is high.
(14) The Special and Ordinary apprenticeships of the P.W.D. and F.M.S.R. are worth
study.
(15) The Technical School at Kuala Lumpur is well organised for its purpose. The
contact with "practice" is excellent.
(16) The engagement of Trade School boys at Central Workshops as improvers should
be followed closely.
(10) THE TRADE SCHOOL SYSTEM AS IT AFFECTS HONG KONG.
(The Marginal Notes refer to previous reports
No. 1-The Inauguration of the Junior Technical School, No. 2-The Apprenticeship System in Hong Kong.)
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