6. We consider that our recommendations in para. 5 are the most that can be done at present with existing staffs. We are however of opinion that immediate steps should be taken to recruit such additional staff as may be necessary to extend the teaching of Music, Art and Handwork throughout all schools. For this purpose the first need is for qualified teachers competent to train existing members of local staffs and to supervise their teaching in the schools.
Music. A music master or mistress should be recruited by Government either locally or from home. He should start with the introduction of Music into the Government schools and later should gradually supervise the extension of this subject to Grant schools. It should also be possible to arrange a class for giving instruction to local teachers.
Art and Handwork. For these subjects in the lower classes, some teachers competent to train local staffs are already available. Arrangements should be made for classes of teachers to be formed in which instruction in the teaching of these subjects can be given.
Handwork. For the upper classes in boys schools, specialised work in some definite craft is desirable. The usual craft taught is woodwork. We recommend that when Government recruits its next European master from home, a candidate who has completed the Loughborough
It College handwork course, or a similar one elsewhere, be selected. would be his first duty to advise on the training of local teachers, accommodation and equipment required for this subject. On this matter we have consulted Mr. G. White, Principal, Trade and Technical Schools, who gave us the following valuable information and suggestions:
(i) A course in woodwork for local teachers could be arranged at the Trade School. The course would have to be of about four months' duration in all but could be planned to fall half in January and February and half in July and August.
(ii) If woodwork instructors are required, students who have passed through the Junior Technical School and then spent three or four years in the pattern shop at Taikoo Docks would be quite suitable.
(iii) Equipment for a woodwork class would cost not more than £5 per head.
Not more than twenty boys at bench work can be efficiently supervised by one teacher. Technical Drawing must be taught as part of the Woodwork Course so that in a class of 40 boys, half can be doing bench work while the other half does drawing.
The woodwork room should be if possible about one and a half times the size of an ordinary classroom, and should be located where the noise will not disturb other classes.
(iv) If a woodwork course is started in any local schools, it should be possible to arrange for instructors from the Trade or Technical School to undertake some supervision.
As regards staff we are of opinion that that suggestion (i) above is preferable to (ii), provided that trained teachers can be released to take the course suggested. If however it is found necessary to appoint instructors as in (ii), they should be full time members of the staff of individual schools, and not peripatetic or visiting instructors.
7. As regards the form of instruction to be given in Music, Art and Craft, we make the following recommendations:
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