TNAG-0177-FCO40-213-Proposed-Polytechnic-1969 — Page 62

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16.

The Director of Education believed it to be essential to have one man responsible for all post-primary training in technical subjects including that area of the post-secondary field consisting of the Technical Institute and Polytechnic. He agreed that the remainder of the general principles made it possible to set up a Polytechnic integrated with the Education Department but believed that it was nevertheless desirable to have the one man in overall command from the Education Department. He was concerned both that the Polytechnic should not encounter extraneous diffi- culties which could be avoided and that the field of technical education should develop as a whole under central control. If it were so developed the man in charge would be a Deputy Director specially appointed to deal with this field.

17.

The other Members also agreed that adequate provisions were made for the Polytechnic to be integrated with the Education Department no matter whether it was set up as a part of the Education Department or otherwise. There was general agreement that the Education Department would need a Deputy Director specially appointed to deal with the field of technical education; and he would in fact have to spend a considerable amount of time on Polytechnic affairs. It was also suggested that whoever was in charge of setting up the Polytechnic would be working full time on it and that the Deputy Director proposed in the Education Department would have a full-time job as well. In these circumstances it seemed desirable to have the suggested Deputy Director in the Education Department and have in addition an independent Polytechnic closely integrated with the Department as suggested. It was desirable moreover not to prejudge decisions which would have to be taken by the people bearing responsibility for actually setting up the Polytechnic.

· 18.

On a vote being taken all the Members except the Director of Education agreed to retain the reference to the Polytechnic being empowered to employ its own staff.

19.

It should be noted that this decision by the Committee is quite precise and limited. With the inclusion of the words voted on, the principles as a whole provide the basis for a structure which is as well adapted to operating inside as outside a Government department: but had they been excluded the Polytechnic would have been committed to operating inside. It is perhaps fair to add that probably the majority of the Committee believes that in the present circumstances the Polytechnic should be outside.

20.

The summary makes no reference to internal structure: and the requirement in the Committee's terms of reference that the Committee should advise on "the appointment of a Principal-designate" has yet to be examined.