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T.C. and V.U.C.

The presence of Training College in the University has raised one of the most important and far-reaching educational problems that the University has faced for some years. It' has often been suggested by research councils in education that the training colleges in each of the four centres should be affiliated with the university colleges concerned—yet nothing has been done. As long ago as 1930 we find the Parliamentary Recess Education Committee recommending "that the training colleges in the four centres be handed over to the control of the University College authorities, together with their buildings, equipment and staffs."

Such a shift in administration might mean anything or nothing according to the degree of amalgamation and the closeness of the relations established between the two institutons. Whatever system should be adopted, however, the possibilities of development in both Training College and University life would be greatly increased thereby. Our present system of teacher training is an offshoot from the system, or rather, lack of system, operating in Britain, in the early part of the nineteenth century. Popular education was looked upon as [unclear: a] "pop for the masses" rather than is a serious national duty; consequently teaching as a profession was held in low repute. This attitude of and has persisted up till the present n our teacher training system although it has largely disappeared in England. The recognised importance of education purely necessitates the recognition of teaching as a university trained profession worthy of the energies of the best' of our scholars.

Until teaching is recognised it will not attract to its works the most suitable type of person and will not arouse in teachers themselves an enthusiasm for the work they are doing. The best, and probably the only way of improving the status of the teaching profession is by an affiliation with the University thus setting it on an equal basis with the professions of law and medicine.

The scheme outlined by the Research Committee of 1930 provided for the establishment in each of the four centres of Schools of Education which, while allowing to the Training College a separate organisation, thus preserving its unity and corporate life, would establish close contact with the University departments and especially the department of education. It also provided for the establishment of a degree in education involving an integrated cultural back-ground together with an intensive knowledge of educational theory. These Schools of Education were to be under University control.

Such a system would enrich Training College life by the contacts with the academic life of the University which it would provide; but would also open to the University student intriguing possibilities such as fine arts courses under the direction of the trained and qualified Training College staff.

The opportunity which we now have for some step in this direction is too good to be lost. Training College is with us, and the future development of education in New Zealand demands our unity. We should act while the fates are propitious.