193 6.
VICT 0 RIA.
J~( ~~
p () J-{
rr
OF THE
FOR
'1'11 p~
Pl{l•:SENTED T() HOTH HOUSE:-! OF PARLIAME:"'T BY HIS EXCELLgl\CY'S COM[,{AND.
tJpprOJ'inwte Cust of Paper..-Preprn·aLion, IJOt given.
Println~
(7UU covie.-;:), !>!U.J
!.1); ~\uthurity:
H. J. GREEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOTJRNF.
No.l · [ls.J--14013.
(J()N':rEN'TS.
J}fiNISTER'S REPORT FOR THl<J YEAR 1934-35.
PAGE
Report of the }linister of Puulic Instruction~
Buildings and Grounds
Instruction and Organization-Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
Technical Schools
Special Activitie:.;
Free Kindergarten Union
Centenary Celebrations
Helirf Work .
Administration and InsJJedion
Retirement of Teachers
Statistical InformationSchools and AttendancesNumber of Schools in Operation on 31st December, 1934; Attendance of Pupilll at
State Schools (Senior Technical Schools excepted) ; Attendance of Students at
Senior Technical Schools ; Numbers and Ages of Pupils in Attendance at State
Schools (Senior Technical Schools excepted) ; Registered Schools; Number of
Individual Children under Instruction at School; Compulsory Attendance Clause ;
Post-primary Course (Attendance)
Technical Education (Details of ]~xpeuditnre)
Destination of ex-Pupils (High Schools Course)
Clas;;ification of Expe!iditure, HJ34-35
Statement of i\mount Expewled from Annual Vote for tht~ Financial Year ended :30th
.June, 1935 . .
Payments by Public Works Department on Account of Buildings and Land . .
Payments out of Special App1•opriations . .
Payments to University by Treasury during the Financial Year ended 30th June, 1935. .
Revenue
Number of Elementary School Teachers in the Department, together with their
Classification and Literary Qualifications
Number of Teachers in Schools other than Elementary in the Department, together with
their Classification and Literary Qualifications
Report of the Director
Report on Elementary Education . .
Report on Secondary Education
Report on Technical Education
Report on Art and Applied Art
Rt1port on Medical Inspection and Kindred Subjects
3
3
:3
4
·1
4
j
4
4
1
K
8
!J
ll
12
12
12
12
13
l4
15
15
18
20
21
22
HJ~POHT
OF THE lVllNlSTER OF PUBLIC lNSTRIJCTION.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
1\:IELBOURNE, MARCH
2, 1936.
Sm,
[ have the honour to submit to Your Excellency a Report on the work of the Education
Department for the year ended the 30th June, 1935.
Bl'ILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
The total expenditure on buildings, land, rents, &c., for the year was £f5H,817. 'lhi:s
amount; was mainly spent on maintenance and repairs. Three (3) new rnral schools were erected
aiH1 in thirteen (13) schools the building~' were remodelled or addibons made. There is ;-;till a
great amount of leeway to be overtaken in the matter of repairs and mi:tintenante of sdwols.
Jn regard to ne\v school buildings an amount of £25,000 was alloeated froll! the National
Hecon?ry Lo11n during 1H35 for this purpose. This is of course quite inadequate to meet the
nee1b; t•f the situation, and a program of works to be carried out over a period of two or three
years has been 1-mbrnitted for the approval of the Employment Council. The eRtimated cost of
the proposed new school buildings and teaehers' residences is £26H,OOO. No decision has up to
the pre:.;nnt been made in regard to the application.
DIII'ing the year 39 schools were closed on account of reduced attendances, and in the
:->;um~ pc:ri,HI nim' new Rchoolr.:; were e1-1tablished and sixteen closed schools re-opened.
The areas set gpart for play arc, in the industrial suburbs of the metropolitan area awl
in sume provincial tmvns, quite inadequate for the purpose, while the cost of purchasing a(lja(·f•nt
propertie::; in order to enlarge them is practically prohibitive.
The work of beautifying the grounds, and even adjaeent areaB, has been carried on
energetically wherever posi-iible, but without the aid of School Committees and Mothers' Clubs
the best results could not be obtained. The State Schools' Horticultural Society has given
excellent service in advising teachers and in the provision of trees, shrubs, and plants generally,
while the School Forestry Movement, in addition to the beautification of waste spaces, has served
to inculcate in pupils a love for trees and has also provided financial profit for suhsequent
generations.
INSTHUCTION AND OHGANIZATION.
The year has been marked by a continuance of comprehensive activity in all phases of
the department"s work. The subject of State Education covers a wide and diversified field, and
the Yarious parts are undergoing eonstant change and a constant re-adjustment of their relations
to e;:tch other and to the life of the community. 1'he whole personnel of the Department haH
been aetive in the examination of aims, ideals, and therefore of methods. Contact with the
problems of the community has been more firmly established and the year has added t,o the great,
body of citizens who, notwithstanding the central control of the education iWstenL recognizt'
that they ha,,e a loenl as well as a national responsibility in rl'garrl to education.
"
Primary SchoolS".-The primary system providing the basis of tlw \\hole educational
;.;tructure is necessarily of paramount importance, and hence tlw revised (:urrieulmn has been
and still will be of absorbing interest. More than ever practical means have been adopted of
training the pupil not only as an individual in habits of self-reliance, sc•lf-depe1H1enee, and as an
eeonomic unit, but also as one who mn<;i; learn the wise use of leisure as a citizen. 'l'he productive
sPlf-activity of the pupil is being developed and school life is being closely associated with the
real world which the pupil sees every day. Steadily a successful effort is being made to link
up hook learning with the bn.1ing of experience nn<l the teaching of life in order to make a real
education ont of it. 1'he ne\vspaper to this end has become an important factor in education,
and the thanks of the Department are due to the great city and provincial 1wwspapers of Victoria
for the splendid aRsistance t,hey have given and are continuing to give•.
Associated with the attempt to realize the ideals of the revised cnniculum is the
nncoumgement being given t,o experiment in new methods of teaching or in the more efficient
internal· organization of schools. Educational broadcasting, visnal education, community
projeet:1, Young Farmers' Clubs, and clubs of various natures are all undergoing tt thorough trial.
Secondary Schools.-Secondary education has been maintained in an efficient condition
sn fM as tlw means at our disposal will allow. Though the year ended 30th June, 1984, showed
a slight decrease in the attendance at High schools, the year under revipw showH a steady
increase, and in some High schools the attendance has reached a record.
·
4
. T('chm:cal Schools.-The demand by industry for boys trained in Junior Technical sch~ols
contmues unabated, and schools have not always been able to satisfv the demand. The Techmcal
:c:chools have maintained a practical relationship with the changing"requirements of industry, ami
every effort has been made to develop a highly efficient body of instructors.
Centena-ry Celelmttim1..--A tribute must be paid to the teachers in connexion with the
Centenary Celebrations and the visit of His Hoyal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. While
not in any degree abating their interest in and attention to their ordinary school duties they
loyally co-operated with the Department in its excellent contribution to the celebrations.
Reli<f Work.-During th<> year the teachers also 1:>howed the value of co-operative effort
in the work done by their voluntary relief organization in abundantly supplying the wants of
Rufferers in the dit·mstrons Hoods of Gippsland and elsewhere, and under the Anstena.nce
Department distributing rnilk to necessitous children in metropolitan areas.
Special .I cti<t•ities.--Medical inspection tmd inHpection of Art are dealt with in special
reports in the Appendix, while brief reports of Music (excluding school bands), Phvsieal
Training, Swimming, Athleti<> Sports. Horticulture, Forestry, and Young Farmers' Clubs are
incorporated in that of the Chief Inspector of Primary Schools The report of the Chief
Medical Inspector is of special va]ne in that it ma.rks the completion of 25 years of medical
inspection in the State schools of Victori;1..
The assistance given to the Department by School Committees, School Councils, and
2\'Iothers' Clubs cannot he over estimated. Libraries, pianos, wireless sets, pictures, school aids
(such as gardening tools, sports materiaL science apparatus. personal comforts for children and
teachers, medicine chests, and the like) could be provided by the Government only at a
prohibitive cost to the Treasury. It is clue to the excellent work done by the bodies mentioned
that equipment of thiR kind is found in abundance in mo:st schools.
F·rer; K£n•leiYFutcn. Union.~-The Government contribution for the year has remained at
£2.250. The work done bv the Union is worthy of unstinted admiration. Alreadv there are
no~ 33 kindergartens affiliated with the Union. Rome 22 Nursery schools hav~ now been
established in connexion with the kindergartens.
Adrninistralion n.nd f.J,,.,p:·r:tion.--The retirement of 1\'Ir. \V. H. Dooley, B .A., from the
po:.;ition of Assistant Chief Inspector of Primary schools, the duties attached to which he had
perfm·med with marked ctbility. h<tfl hcen followed by the appointment of Mr. ,J. Gray, M.A.
Mr. Oray was tl1e Henior member of tl1e iw.;pectorial .">taff.
Rince this Heport was commenced, Mr. R P. Eltham, Chief Inspector of Technical
:-;chools, has heen gra.ntecl special leave in order to make an investigation of technical edur·ation
in Ji~nrope allfl America. During his absence, Mr. Nilsson, Inspeetor of Technical schools, will
act as Chief Inspector.
During the year Mr. Fferhert Burleigh, R.A., a teacher of outstanding ability and a.
returned soldier, was appointed Inspector of schooLs, and has taken up duty in the Kerang
district. Retirement/-\ from the st1ff of the Teachers' College were Dr. Kenneth R. (\mninghanL
who n\signed in ordf\r to act as permanent Recretary of the Australian Council for Educational
Research. and Dr. Rweetman. senior lecturer. Mr. Gilbert M. \Vallace retired from the
position of Editor nf Departmental Puhlications. and has been succeeded as Editor by
Mr. J. R. Lyall. Mr..JenSPIL who filled the pm;ition of Accountant for some years. has
been succeeded on retirement bv .'VIr. l{obert Potter.
Retirement of T(!achcts.--The services of the undermentioned teachers were lost during
the year by death and retirement. All were of proved ability-Miss Frances Dodd, Mr. A.
Eddy (died), Mr. J. F. Heo, )/fr. A. H. Holmes, Mr. H. R Heath (died), Mr. G. Gonld,
Mr. D. Walton, Mr. J. EHis (died), -:\fr. H. Polglaze (died), Mr. J. H. ·warren (died), lVIr. John
Stewart, Mr. \V. Jenkins, Mr. Ernest McKenzie (died).
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
JOHN R. HARlUS,
Minister of Publie Instructiou,
To Hrs ExcELLENCY,
The Right Honourable Lord. Hnnting:field, K.C.M.G.,
Governor of Victoria .
•
5
STATISTICAL INFORMATION.
Schools and Attendances.
NGMBJ<:H
OJ.<' ScHoOLS IN OPERATION oN
l>ECEMB~:H,
31sT
Type of School.
1934.
Number.
Elementary SchoolsDay schools-l<ull-timc ..
l'art-time ..
Hubsidizod
Hchools for the Blind. Deaf 2\lutcH, }'eebJe.H.imled dtildn,ll, mul IJelic,.Le Uhildrm>
Intermediate Hchook
Central !-:lchools
Higher Elementary Schools ..
Girls' Schools and Schools of Domesl.in Artx
Junior Technictll Schools
t;ecomlary Hdwols-High Sehouls
Technical Sehools
i
Grand
Total~
2,iilil *
:1\l
X
!J
~,til7
Ill
• Does not Include 4 schools worked as adjuncts (branch school$ for junior classes, but not counted as Independent establishments).
t Central Schools are not Independent ostallllshmenta. Tlley •re worked In ronjunctlou wltb Elementary Schools.
t Junior Tecllnleal Schools are not Independent establishments. Tbey are worked In conjunction With Tecbnioal Schools.
ATTmNDANCE OF PuPILS AT STATE ScaooLs (SENIOR T&cH::.rrcAL SoEIOOLS ExcEPTED)
Y !<JAR ENDED 31 ST
DECE:\lBER,
1934.
Girls.
•
Elementary CourseDay Hchools-.!<'ull and Part-time
::Subsidized
Schools for the Blind, Deaf Mutes,
Feeble-minded Children, and Delicate Children ..
Tuition by Correspondence
88,618
27
I
Total.
184,580 .
56 i
I
255
Hll
230,470
'l'ot.als, Elementary Course ..
Intermediate CourseCentral Schools ..
Higher ]l;Jementary Schools
Gir!E' Schools and Schoolx
Domestic Arts ..
Junior Technical Schools ..
2,363
2,255
of
2,015
2,119
1
3,824
1,202
Totals, Intermediate Course • •
4,272
4,281
1
4,863
3,778
7,349
8,641
19,6!SO
Secondary Course~­
High Schools
Grand
10,909
'rota!~
2til,059
In the foregoing table, each type of school has been treated as a distinct
system. To arrive at the numher of individuals under instruction in State schools
during the year 1934, a deduction must be made on account of pupils who hac:
attended .more than one ?f. the _types of school mention_ed. . After al~owing for
such duplicate emolments, It IS e::;tnnated that the number of pupils under mstruction
in State schools (Senior Technical schools excepted) during the year· was 259,947.
ATTENDANCE OF STUDENTs AT SENIOR TECHNICAL ScHooLs.
·---------~----~~·~~·-~·-------------
Gross Enrolment,
Males.
FemaleH.
10,747
6,016
Total.
16,763
6
NuMBERS
ANn
AGES
oF
PUPILs
IN
ATTENDANCE
AT
STATE
ScHOOLS
(SENIOR
TECHNICAL ScHOOLS EXCEPTED) DURING THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBI<JR, 1934.
Under
6
Yea!'ll.
Elementary SchoolsDay Schools and Sehool" for thl' Blind, Deaf MuteA, Feeble-minded
Chiklren, :>nd Delicate Children, &c.
Intermedinte School; Central Schools
Higher Elementa.ry Schools
Schools of Domestic Arts
Junior Technical Schools
Secondary SchoolsHigh Schools ..
1\l,:if>ti
Totals
:201,1)8·1
12,58(1
230,470
3,259
2,406
2,179
3,309
1,013
1,875
1,599
4.040
4,272
4,281
3,778
7,349
4,347
6,562
10,909
27,669
261,059
27,324
259,947
16,356
Estimated number of pupils after making allowance for duplicate
enrolment between the various types of school
217,034
I
t
1
16,356
216,267
:
- · · · · - - -..· - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REGISTERED ScHOOLS.
These schools comprise all private schools, secondary schools and colleges, and
denominational schools.
NuMBER oF ScaooLs AND ATTENDANCE oF PuPILS h'OR YEAR ENDED 31sT DEcEO\I'BER, 1934.
Number of Schools, 510.
-
_,,
Number of Teachers, 2,498.
ATTENDANClli OF PUPILS,
__________ __ _
__,,,, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ _-"7 _ _ , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ,., _ _ _ _ _ , ___--;-
,,
Gross Enrolment.
Estimated
Net
Age of Pupils.
Enrolment.
Boys.
Under 6 years
Between 6 and 14 years
Above 14 years .•
Totals
Girls
2,909
26,659
6,707
:3,092
28 482
7:934
6.001
55,141
14,641
5,877
51,082
13,333
36,275
89,508
75,783
69,792
NuMBER oF INDIVIDUAL CHrLDrtEN UNDER lNsTRUCTION AT ScHooL.
After allowance has been made for duplicate enrolment caused by the
attendance of children at both State schools and registered schools during the year,
it is estimated that the number of individual children at schoo] during the year
was as follows :·Under f\ years of age
Between 6 and 14 years of age
A!:Jove 14 years of age
21,6171
265,939 ~ 328,012
40,456 I
CoMPULSORY ATrENDANCE CLAUSE.
Prosecutions durin'] the Year ended 30th .June, 1935.
Con vlctlona
Number of
Obtained,
Prosecutions.
Dismissed.
Withdrawn.
Not
Proceeded
wltb.
569
255
i
5,876
5,007
45
Costa.
J<'ines.
£
8.
d.
863
2
0
£
8,
d.
Nil
In the preceding year, the number of convictioi18 obtained was 6,282, and the
fines amounted to £1,010 15s. 6d. and costa Nil.
7
PosT-PRIMARY
UooRsE.
1.7.34, IN
1934.
STATEMENT SHOWING NUMBER OF PUPILS, AT VAR!OUS AGES ON
EACH YEAR OF HH~
CounsE WHO ATTE~DED DuRTNG THE YEAR
Nu•uber of Pupils ut Ages as under.
. I
Yt~ar of Couree.
1 }'~der
ears.
Between
I Between llletween llletween I Between I Between I Over
18
12 and 13 l:l and 14 14 and 15 !5 uu<i 16 16 anJ 17 17 and 18
1
Ycur~.
Years.
YNlfQ:,
··-~--------~--
Jt'irst
ii97
40
Second
Third
I
1,048
ll27
'
Fourth
]l'jfth
Totals
737
..
373
1,103
6
74
355
1
l
Years.
Yra!'l!.
Year.s.
.
------
---~··-
--·
2,194
2,159
18
6
1
2
1(!
1,4S3
1,67fi
Yf'nr~.
-----
Totals.
4,378
440
HIGI!WR Er,EMENTARY f'I<'HOOI.s.
First
434
32
1
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
'
430
ti4ti
292
41
HJ:!
:!~7
44
2
i
l:ll
283
275
146
2
40
93
167
8
1,~14
!
4
1,392
718
426
24
1
15
8
837
Totals
DoMESTIO ARTs
AND GmLs' SonooL9.
First
Second
1,500
1,356
770
131
67
4
Third
Fourth
Repatriation Classes
25
41
52
7
1
4
9
33
303
350
16
11
1
40
93
17
Total" ••
,JUNIOR TECHNICAL ScHOOLS.
455
21
First
Second
Third
1,222
377
9
Fourth
:Fifth
Sixth
Repatriation Classes
848
1,519
159
3
12
!
; 1,228
406
6
24
9
19
2,550
1,945
1
2
2
Totals .•
476
2,821
3,492
1,026
43
47
3
30
HIGH SCHOOLS.
842
78
3
.First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Totals
923
1,167
778
151
1
2,097
393
1,293
1,135
119
3
93
391
1,227
707
62
6
89
2,502
2,606
2,803
1,828
971
393
148
ll,103
10
49
2,943
SUMMARY.
First
Seoond
Third
F ourth
Fifth
......
....
......
....
.. ....
Repatrlation 01aaael
..
TotaJa ..
Sinb.
...... 2,705
181
.... .... 6
.. ..
.. ..
..
.2,89.2
3
37
7,596
9,949
6,565
..
..
.2,472
5,340
1,9ll·
174
16
I
640
2,551
2,312
920
88
6
48
4,960
2,416
214
3
..
• Oorrespondflllllf Ollle8el.
I
53
461
728
970
368
27
9
1
52
153
306
367
106
.. 3
..I
9
50
156
166
2
ll
49
91
..
10,831
ll,005
5,335
2,434
I 1,043
396
97
.2,616
985
384,
IM
31,141
..
..
I
8
Technical Education.
DETAILS OF EXPENDITURE IN CONNEXION WITH TECHNICAL SCHOOLS DURING THE; Fr:"'"A"'OIAL YEAR ENDED
30TH JtTNE, 1935.
--Scltool.
I
Maintenance.
Buildings and
Land.
~~
£
s.
Bairnsd.-1.le ..
1,422 0
l 1o,:n4 0 0
Ballarat
Bendigo
7,350 0 0
Box Hill
I
732 0 0
Brighton
1,704 0 0
Brunswick ..
1398 0 0
Castlemaine
3:204 0 0
Caulfield
1,158 0 0
Collingwood
3,894 0 0
Daylesford ..
I,530 0 0
Eehuea.
2,496 0 0
Emily McPherson College
666 0 0
2,508 0 0
Footscray •.
Goelong
7,260 0 0
Maryborough
3,612 0 0
Melbourne ..
33,230 0 0
Prahran
4,536 0 0
Richmond .•
1,110 0 0
Sale
1,560 0 0
South
Melbourne
1,572 0 0
Stawell
1,908 0 0
Sunshine
750 0 0
Swinburnc
13,530 0 0
Wangaratta.
798 0 0
2,88{1 0 0
Warrnambool
Wontha.ggi
624 0 0
Ya.llourn
666 0 0
Miscellaneous
..
..
..
£
..
d.
£
..
I8
..
Totals
8.
..
..
0
0
170
230
20
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
189
6
58
750
I77
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mlscellaneolll!.
d.
9
0
19
170
0
0
..
i)
0
2
25
200
24
31
150
200
d.
5
il
2
0
3
:J :J 0
44- \) ()
7 12 0
3 3 0
2i-ili 7 7
5 3 7
13 2 7
:~
3 0
5,789
10,824
3,786
2,531
I0,413
4,304
7,872
2,142
19 10
14 7
4 3
ll 8
3 8
3 0
0 2
19 7
6,507
13,716
ll,l59
6,234
45,437
9,101
9,010
3,706
12
3
16
14
2
19
2
2
8,022
885
3,910
6,996
3,062
2,121
4,252
1,368
13 1
7 9
0 2
8 7
3 8
11 2
17 9
11 9
9,688
2,831
4,855
20,7!19
3,893
5,08!1
5,038
2,345
2,801
1
10
3
0
I
d.
3 0
7 0
0 !)
3 0
19 8
l :3 7
I
{i
20 8
3 3
a 3
0
0
0
10
13
0
0
8.
·13 If
3 3
2<1 6
]~
9
25 0
!
1ii l
17 12
8.
3
7
15
3
7
48 10 0
150 0 0
lOO 0 0
30 () 0
757 u 7
79 12 li
I
• Fees,
Donations, &c.
Total.
~alarie~.
£
fl99
::1,420
2,7iJ3
3,762
9,409
6, 842
I ,228
9,713
12,945
926
1,052
£
1 7
20
0
0
0
0
112,478 0 0
8.
273 3
200 0
200
48 0 0
35 0 0
167 0 0
47
8
108
150
..
0
50 0
I
Equipment.
0
0
6
5
0
0
ll
7
14 ll
3 10
6 7
lO 8
8 II
I3 0
0 ll
2 3
9 4
3 1
£
2,324
14,075
I0,318
4,515
11,140
8, 478
4,447
11,058
17,312
2,479
:~,!i97
2,704 ll
8.
10
7
:J
8
10
1
9
7
Additional Expenditure from other Votes
4,liH
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
8.
4,545
1,901
3,574
327
19,8:)4
620
778
378
0
0
0
()
()
0
9
9
2
4
1 4
7 7
0 9
14 9
2 1
251,963 13 4
9
0
256,115 2
4
d.
0
0
0
0
£
335
2,554
929
365
I,l49
I, 033
447
1,706
l,9W
268
384
d.
8 8
5 8
4 7
9 7
I5 4
2 6
I4 1
13 l
18 4
12 4
12 1
711
231
401
'J,202
537
497
415
567
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
()
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
50,603 0
0
()
0
• These lees, donations, .tc., were retained and expended by tht various school counclb.
Destination of ex-Pupils (High Schools Course).
Boys,
Industrial
Life.
High Schools
H.E. Schools
Central Schools
Pupil.
2,132
863
1,058
' 41
284
187
4,053
GIRLS.
:
Commercial
Industrial Life.
Life.
1----········--·t---:-·-----:--··~····--·-----
t'
~ I ~§jJ
~
~
High Schools
..
H.E. Schools
..
•.
Central Schools
D.A. and Girls' Schools
50 l2o
Pupil.
~
~c
~~ i ;a
~
,..,
-d
'.C
~-
tll~
s~ -S3
Q,}
~S ,...~ cif ~~ .
~-~ ~ :ag
·3
~·=~ -; ~'fi
~
~.,;:a
<-<
!"<m
.
11,
w
3
.
2
I -o5'
11
1
1
"d
i;
.
.
•
•
•
•
1
1
~~
2 88 ~g "f
~ ~..c v'f :=
"""as
, ~:n z
1.;
'I
5 182 106 I' 22 64 •. ---:--.-.1:-11991--:-ll146
..
7 53 , 10 10 • .
1 .. 155 33 . 39 87
..
..
• . 12 18 13 41
..
3 .. 69 1155
346 126
..
..
25 28 1 . • 510 40
102 13 41 129 I 39 26
1
I-50-·I'-2o-l--5-:--5- 2_2_6_j_20-5-,-45-I-6·-25-I--4o-l--u-sjl3 23815161526'13s5
I
~
I si
I
I
-
Eo
oS:
~'-<
I
•
z
;g.; 'il
2§
>.•
~'"
ro
13>
~
ii'M .S<c.o~
=!
;:;Jl
~
)!lo PP
468
328
ll9
563
27 237
17
4
6 ..
3 .•
Soi!~
1
14 47
l 79
4 29
. • 102
so~
8 = ~~
.!: &5
(19 2s7j1,478 53 241
1
3
-=a=
:2
~
1,777
724
943
1,621
1
5,o65
9
APPENDIXES.
I.-CLASSIFIUATION OF ExPENDITURE,
1934-33.
INSTRUCTION.
'fEOHNIOAL EDUCATION.
P&UtARY EDUCATION.
Day Schools, including Central SchoolsSalaries
Travelling Expenses
Conveyance of Children
School Requisites, &c.
Maintenance (Cleaning, Sanita.ry Service,
J!uel, Water, &c.)
Classification of Teachers .•
Children's Playgrounds
£
8. d.
l,:J7:l,!J72 17 0
6,622 5 7
K,2iJ\I 10 l 0
11,461 15 0
88,704 18 8
20!) 11 11
l.U
0
5
2,250
0 0
4
326 ll
{l l(l
112,478 0 0
250 17 2
888 3 6
5,997 6 4
Sebolarships
:J,Ol2
l()
8
4
253,864 5
2
i7,943 16
6
U~lVEl<StTY EDUCATION.
Scbolar8hips
Total Cost Instruction
2,275,798 11 11
6
!)
--~--··----
:1,7'12 16 3
:Vledioal InspectionSalaries
Bush Nursing
Other Expenses
!l,
9
-·--·---3,440
s.
250,851 16
2flli 16 0
Physical TrainingSalaries
Other Expenses
131,237
Total Technical Education
8,224
Subsidized Schools
Free Kindergarten Union
£
0 0
1,(}8!J,:3il j ill
Schools for the Blind, for Deaf Mutes, for
Feeble·minded Children, and for Delkate
Children
Technical Schools, including Junior Technical
SchoolsSalaries of Officers appointed under Public
Service Acts • .
•.
••
..
Maintenance Grants (mainly Salaries of
Ollicers appointed by School Councils)
Travelling Expenses
Conveyance of Pnpils
.•
Equipment, Examinations, &''·
9,3ii7 14 ll
275 0 0
!, lQ;j
7
4
13,738
2
3
6.-i!O 2
843 9
2,062 5
9
6
5
'l'RAINI~G
OF TEACHERS.
Teachers' CollegeS-Salaries
Maintemtnce
Requisitns, Stationery, &c.
..
.•
Allowances and Fees on account of Students ..
8,352
788
157
3,288
ll 11
6 2
18 7
15 4
12,587 12 0
Dressmaking and Needlework
Singing
School Gardening and School PlantatioruJ
Total Primary Education
1,726,939 16 11
Allowances to Student Teachers in Technical
Schools ••
1,117 15
Correspondence Tuition
4,975
18 1
18,681
5 10
Total Training of Teachers
INTIDRM!IlDJATR AND SEOONDARY EDUCATION.
9
Intermediate.
Ctmtral Schools ••
*
Higher Elementary SchoolsSalaries
Travelling Expenses
Conveyance of Pupils
Sohool Requisites, &o.
Maintenance
ADMINIS'I'RATION.
45,!11;8
2
4
697
5
3
:}i)2
0
2
1,354 0 6
1,198 16 9
Office and Inspectorial Staffs ••
Attendance Officers . .
••
••
Stores (Office Hequisites; Incidental Expenses, &c.)
Postage, Telegrams, Telephones
•.
•.
46,020 9 3
4,084 17 7
9,321 10 8
6,749 2 10
Total Administration
66,176
0
4
49,620 5 0
Evening Continuation Classes
Schools of Domestic Arts and Girls' SehoolsSalaries
Other Expenses
Junior Technical Schools
'fotal Intermediat<l Education
1)4
9
8
40,589
2.72:!
1
0
2
!)
4:{,311
:l
!)
t
92.!l!!ii ]8
5
Sec<mdary.
High SchoolsSalaries
Travelling Expemes
Conveyance of Pupils
School Requisites, &c.
Maintenance
Hostels
Farms
Classification of Teacher&
171.022 17 5
459 13 ll
2,611) 3 6
5.646 2 9
»)12 Hl 3
6:> 15 0
96!J 5 fl
192 18 3
BUILDI:\GS AND LA~D.
Primary Schools
Higher Elementary !,;chunl-;
Girls' Schools
High Schools
Technical Schools
RentsPrima.ry Schools
High Schools
Technical Schools ..
92,881 14 10
13 19 8
38 8 4
7,007 4 0
2.143 0 0
3,033 0 0
7 0 0
108 0 0
3,148
Interest and Sinking }'uud charges on Unemploy.
ment Relief Loan for building Teacher3'
Residen()es
0
1,609 14 10
Total Buildings and Land
Total Instruction, Training, Ad.
ministration and Buildings
0
106,842
1
8
2,467,497 19
9
MISCELLA~EOUS.
Scholarships
190,077 12
7
3,977
4
2
Total Secondary Education
194,054 14 11
Tote.l Intermediate and Secondary
Eduoa.tion ••
287,050 13
4
Retiring Allowances ••
Refunds of School Fees
154,006 5 10
114 12 0
1.54,120 17 10
Total Expenditure for the Year..
2,621.618 17
• Included In Primary Education (Day Bebools).--t lnoluded In Toohnlcal Education.---~ In addition, a sum of £63,600
wu paid to tlw Unll'el8lty by ~e Treasnry.
8
10
The foregoing statement represents the amount expended by and on behalf of
the Education Department ; but, if to the sum (£2,621,619) be added grants
(£53,600) paid by the Treasury to the University, the total amount expended during
the year by the State in connexion with education is £2,675,219.
Excluding the cost of buildings (£106,S42) and pensions (£154,006), the amount
expended on education for the year is £2,414.,:37 L
After dividing the expenditure on training of teachers and administration
(£84,857) between elementary, secondary, technical and University education, proportionately to the expenditure on each, as shown in the foregoing table, the expenditure
under the four hea~dings elementary, secondary, technical, and university education, is
as under:Elementary
Intermediate and Secondary
Technical
University •.
1,790,956
297,468
263,169
62,778
2,414,371
If from this amount be deducted receipts (£89,857) which were paid into
Consolidated Revenue, the net expenditure on education is £2,324,514, being a cost
of £1 5s. 3!d. per head of the mean population of the State for the year ended 30th
June, 1935.
For the sake of comparison, some of the principal figures relating to expenditure
for the years 1931-32, 1932-33, and 1933-34 are given in the following table:-
Buildings ..
Pensions, &c.
..
..
Elementary Education
*Intermediate and Secondary Education ..
tTechnical Education ..
University Education
Total Amount Expended on Education
Net Expenditure per head of population
..
1931-32.
1932-33.
1933-34.
1934-35.
£
45,743
151,899
1,732,547
308,010
271,233
65,027
£
53,835
146,724
1,729,875
299,811
239,290
64,615
£
98,452
148,538
1,733,399
291,361
245,013
57,226
£
106,842
154,006
1,790,956
297,468
263,169
62,778
2,574,459
2,534,150
2,573,989
2,675,219
£1 5s. 8ld.
£1 4s. 9!d.
£1
4s. 6£d.
£1 5s. 3fd.
* !'ees, amounting in 1931~32 to £:30,751; in 1932-33, to £57,741; in HIS3~34, io £64,364; and in 1934~35, to £66,295, were paid
into Consolidated Revenue.
t In addition, fee•, donations, &c., amounting to £37,273 in 1931-32, io £87,768 In 1982-83, io £46,274 in 1938-34, and to £50,603
in 1934--35, were expen(led by the various technical school councils.
c
11
U.-
-I:)TATgMENT
of Amount l£xpended from Annual Vote for the Financial Year ended 30th .June, 1935.
A:nolll,t,
s.
£
Director of Education
Professional DivisionChief Inspector, Assistant Chief Ins(hlctors, Inspectors, and Inspectors of
17,200 11
Domestic Arts
Chief Inspector, Assistant Chief Inspector, and Inspeetors of Secondary Schools 2,065 4
1,305 18
Chief Inspector and Inspector of Technical Schools
646 18
Inspector of Art
6,845 16
School Medical Officers and Dentists ..
6!!5 15
Editor and Sub-l<.ditor School PublirJations
7,953 17
Staffs, Teachers' Colleges
C!rrical Division
General Division4,UH-i 17
Attendance Officers
263 10
Messengers and Storoman
628 5
Shorthand Writers, Typists, &c.
429 19
School Disinfectors
1,272 5
Dental Attendants
189 13
School Nurse
236 10
Farm Mana.ger
Teachers' Salaries1,573,277
Primary Schools
64
Evening Continuation ClassPs
Uirls' Schocls and Schools of Dnmestic Arts
40,580
45,98tl
Higher Elementary Schools , .
170,786
High Schools
131,:!:n
Technical Schools ..
7,764
Schools for the Blind, Deaf Mute•, Feeble Minded Cbilrlren, &c.
1,121 l±
Supervisors of Special Subjects (Physical Training, Swimming, &o.)
Temporary and Exempt Officers'
398 14
Visiting Teachers-Teachers' Colleges
255 4
Classifier-State School Teachers
3,351 1
Temporary Assistance
ContingenciesTravelling Expenses28,857 14
Offir-ers
£16,446 13 10 }
12,411 0 ll
Pupils ••
7,183 13
School Hequisites, Maps, &c.
5,705 17
Stores and Incidental Expenses
101,251 9
Maintenance Expenses of Schools
4,961 11
Dome, tic Arts (Cookery, Laundry, Sewing, &c.)
1,879 0
Manual 'fraining
6,749 2
Postage, Telegritms, and Tele phon<,s
969 5
Farm Expenses
147 5
Allowance to Classifiers
63 15
High School Hostels
Miscellaneous14,801 17
Scholarships
Technical Schools Equipment and }lii'oeellaneous
5,997 6
2,02,1 K
Medical and Dental ExpensPe
:3,2Kil 15
Allowances for Board, &6., of Students in Training
Allowance for collecting Rents in connexion with Mildura High School Lands
Printing Victorian Reading Books
4,587 Hi
Refund of Tuition Fees
114 12
Interest and Sinking Fund charges on unemployment Helief Loan for
builrling Teachers' Residences
1,609 14
Pensions ..
3,033 0
Expenditure on School Buildings, &c., under
Art
direction of School Committees and Council~ Higher Elementary
High
..
..
7 0
L'l'cchnical
108 0
GrantsTo Technical Schools for Maintenance
To Free Kindergarten Union for maintaining Free Kindergartens
Subsidies towards Schools in sparsely populated districts
Towards cost of Bush Nursing in consideration of work of Bush Nurses at State Schools
Maintenance of Municipal Playl'rounds
To State Schools' Horticultural Society
£
8, d.
1,00R 15 9
d.
11
41
37,614
&J
lf
7
'
9
7
1)
Ce·~tres
Total
18,650
4
:~
7,105
2
9
l,!J70,H2H ];)
1i
4,00:i
ti
!,
1:\1
{~~~:f:c
6
5
8
9
I
J
I)
9
ll
11
3
7
0
10
6
157,768 16 0
3
0
~l
:!I
41
>-
10 I
oI '
10
J
19
3,148
8 ll
0
0
112,478 0 0
2,250 0 0
286 16 0
275 0 0
141 0 0
600 0 0
2,348,603 10
------------~
2
----
12
[Il.-PaYMEllS"TS by Public Works Department on account of Buildings and Land during the Financial
Year ended 30th June, 1935.
·--- ·-·----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Expenditure Defrayed fromfype oi ScJhool,
Loans.
Annual Votes.
-------~1-------
I
l'otal.
• Un~~~oy·
I Rellef Funds '
Surplus
Hev~nn• ·
£
£
---------------- ·--·--£
15,44:!
.!<'Ire
Insurance
Fund
£
£
£
3,8fi8
I Oii
:1,033
..
..
96
3,402
7
108
6,746
2,251
Totals
3,954
3,507
3,148
99,817
Primary
Domestic Arts Schools
and Girls' Schools
Higher Elementary
High
Technical
90,820
..
---------·
IV.- PAYMENTS out of Special Appropriations during the Financial Year ended 30th June, 1935.
Expenditnre
by Treasury.
£
Pensions to officel'8 granted in aocordance with Aot 6 Geo. 5 No. 3757,
section 151, and Aots 1302 and 1329
••
••
••
••
Contributions by Treasury towards pensions paid to officers who have
retired under the provisions of the Superannuation Act No. 3782
$.
d.
90,054-
9
4
63,932
7 7
153,986 Hi ll
to University by Treasury during the Financial Year ended 30th June, 1935.
£
s. d.
36,000 0 0
Annual Endowment
5,200 0 0
Grant for School of Agricultural Education
2,800 0 0
Bacteriological Laboratory Services ..
2,000 0 0
Chair of Obstetrics
2,800 0 0
Veterinary Research
4,800 0 0
Science Research, &c.,
V.-PAYMENTS
Total
53,600 0 0
VI.-REVENVE.
The amounts paid to the credit of Consolidated Revenue during the year ended
30th June, 1935, are as follow:I.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Fines ..
Fines and costs for non-attendance at school
Rents received for Departmental-properties
Examination fees
School fees
Sale of farm produce and rent of farm cottages
Cookery (fees and sale of provisions)
Sale of Victorian reading books
Miscellaneous
Total
.£
18
863
18,740
478
56,295
1,018
200
7,405
s. d.
10 0
2 0
19
19
10
4
10
12
4,836'~ 3
6
8
0
9
8
1
10
£89,857 12 6
No part of this amount has been directly applied to meet Depa.rtmentai
expenditure.
VII.-NuMBER OF ELEMENTARY ScHooL TEACHERs IN THE DEPARTMENT oN 31sT DECEMBER, 19:34, TOGETHKR Wl'l'H ·ruEIR CLAssu·rcaTroN AND LITERARY QuALIFICATIONS.
Classification.
)lumber.
1\iaieb.
I
i
J:~cmaies.
Literary Qualificatlon8.
'
TotaL
i First
Honours~
I Trained
Teacher's [
Certificate
\
Second Huuuurs. 1
---
i
~fa.'es~
(First class
I Seoond class " A "
••
He.ad Teachers J Second class
Third class
••
Fourth class
Fifth class
103
134
190
l
..
..
1---,---
lfemates.: Males.
Ft~malf"S.
)Tales. i
Second Class
CertHicah'
Certificate of
Competency.
In Traln!n~.
Licence to Teach.
i
Femnl~;s,
:.raleA.
I
~faies
Fenml•.·•.'
i''emnJqL
I
103
I
I
l
1,243
7
832
Total Head Teachers
2,047
1-141
:377
~
First Class
Certificate,
5
I
I
134
~~
Hll
:l84
7
I) I
:n,
145
4;-l
6i3
388
153
:J41
----------Second class " A "
Second class
•.
. • Third class
••
{ Fourth class
Fifth class
Assistants
4
70
140
204
2:3
9
76
218
618
1,208
21
35
88
460
16
41
4:l
.•
23
14
!)
20!>
·•
!lO
188
5
'1
7
- - - - : - - - 1 - - - - : - - - i - - - : - - - - - 1 - - - - ----:----1-----------'----1---- ~-----1--100 i
543
748
25 i
63
18
100
'
Total Assistants
1-'
~
Helieving Teachers
Third class ..
Fourth class
{ Fifth class ••
1
2
19
145
Students in Training
Total
CLASSIFIED 'l'EAOHERS
Student Teachers
I
:JO
153
298
2,632
3,150
5,7H:!
560
789
2ti6
:~,1\12
GRAND ToTAL
Temporary TeachErs I Head Teachers
l Assistants ••
4,205
2
Total Temporary Teachers
2
Temporary Sewing Mistresses
Temporary Student 'l'eachers
2
1
4
2
11
Sewing Mistresses
Total Temporary Sewing Mistresses
Student Teachers
..
4
5ti
5o
25
73
!J8
25
l2!l
1!\4
~tnd
1
i
J
4
:la.-, 1
;j
10
404
1.171
I
--··-~---'-·-·<--'
17
l4i
!
581
'
10:1
VIIJ .-NUMBER
OF TEACHEP.S IN ScHOOLS OTHER TBAN ELEMENTARY IN THE DEPARTMENT ON 31ST DECEMBER, 193{, TOGETHER WITH THEIR CLASSH'lCATION AND LITERARY QuALIFICATIONS.
-------
Classification.
Literary Qualitlcationl:!.
Number.
Females.
Males.
•Degree.
Total.
l
Diploma
I
Ed.
1
(\dthont Uegree). j
Trai~e<l.
1----~
•
First Class
..
Head Teachers
Second " A " class
..
{ Second class
Third class
..
Total Head Teachers
Assistants
.
--~3-8 ~
.
H
1
17
lii
J47
360
33
98
209
380
..
722
Students in Training
Total CLASSIFIED TEACHERS
Junior Teachers
Temporary Teachers
±'i
i
1~~
74o
--
I
I
~l
~~~
~()
.
~
~
l'euw.le;.l Males.
1..
I Females.
I
1
..
~~ .
~
!
:l
13 .
7 I
:2\i
i
\i
I
48 I
4i I
71
I
\i5
I
'
. --..
I
:~
I
i
JJ.
llJ.
IY.
V.
~','econda-ry
:.rale>.
Class.
1.
llA.
ll·" I
--,-
.\uMBER uF T};Aclu-m8
Clru.sljiui
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
EMPLOYEo
Other
Qualifications.
I
)!ales. : Fcmales.i :\lales.
Males. 1 J4'emales.l Males. I Females ..
Females.
1
1
'
1
----
i
l·\~m:1.les.
Tota!. Grand Total.
j•J
•J
.,
1
4"
·'
s~
8"7
1:!0
Jti7
:n.1
Clu8sljieJ Pr·imary Teacher>.
.,,,
"
Profe,.s-ional f)jfictrs.j
• Many in thi3 column hold also the Diploma of E£lueat.lon..
l'rinripals (~tale), Grade lA
Prim·ipals (:\lnle), Graue I
Principals (Male), Grade 2
Seitior Tedmica! Instructors (~!ale)
Vice-Principal (Male)
..
Technical Instructor (Male)
Senior Trade Instructors (Male), Grade l
.)
I
1
__
JO I
-------
VI TECJINICAL
..
1
•
1
..
· .
1
•
--i-.~~---~-~---~-. -~-.
1
2±
Teacher-;.
+7
;;
[;niyersity
l:iUb)ectsOne to Four.
Q,
~~-----'--
li
li
::::
--------·-· ·----------- ----
t
University
:--uh]ects-er lour.
!
·_l _ ·._4
1
~~---.~-~--~-~----
55 I
175
Ce~·t,~e~v;;.
1
j
I
t
pl
~.___::__ ~---~--~-~~ --1.-··_ j __::_~--~-~~-
1
..
-.-.~--~-
:
ll I
I
,--~- ---;;-~--~~
\.1
..
;i
-------------
i - 800 =-.-~6-~_~+=,==-l-,~--=-41
i
I
I nra;,\~;~,·~:"~~ler';!
i Se .0 Hl· rv
Teehniml
l>J 'mn·4
1
___
,
~!ales.
I Females.
)1ales.
85
:2ti:l
---~-----
I
I
5
(Dome::<tie Arts).
~-~--~~I __;J_I__! __ _;l~_I ____~J~_r ___ ·'~-- ____ -~~-i____I_:'_ ____ .::_
1,3ll
589
i Fl'i"Jalc"·l
Trai~cd
.Teacher's !
Certlticat.e
i
acller'<
J ~-~ _!1_1
__ 1~-li
1..
3:Jti
- - - - -
Total Assistants
)!ales.
+.:> i'
z;, 1
7 I
I
-'-·.---~-1
31
Second "A" class
Second class
{ Third class
Fourth class
l Fifth class
il
s.l
<
r,
Certit~t ~tte
(Mauual Artsj.
1
~
I
.. 1
J:! I
:2
1
_:~~-~
____
___
3:~
_
lh I
;;;;
±I
·- ------ ----- --------
'l'<:'<~<
1
1
14
I
61
--
1~
49
142
,
1
7
14
9
•)
2
1
4
12
•>
.>
ll
1-
Council Rmplu!Jcn.:.
:!04
:!:!:J:j:
Total
•.
........
~
Total. Grand Total.
ll
Full time
Part time
101
___ __________ _
74
l:ers
12
22
~
213
l!i
<IF TrtAIJ>EESJ.
SPnior Aooistant (Male), Graue 1
tienior Assistants (Male) ..
Senior Trade Instructors (~\la!<•), Grade 2
Trade Instructors (i\lale)
Assistants (lllalc)
Principn.Js (l!'emalc)
Assiskcnts-in-charge (Female)
Senior Assist8,nts (Femak•), c;mJe l
Senior "\csi;;taut' (Female), Crade 2
Assistmth (I<'enwJe)
Temporar_,.
.. :J
:2
J::
1
---~--.-.
~~-- ___!___ ___..____
:li' I
SoH:ooLs (Exci.nsrvE
..
~
2
lti
16
·'
li
----.--.
i ..
I'
'~-
..
427
835
t These teachers are also included in the above detailed classification
of tea<'hers aceording to their qualitications.
: Most of tJ1ese teaelwrs are employed on only one or two evenings a week.
15
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
(J. McRAE, MA)
As the Department's activities have been so fully
traversed in the reports of the Honourable the Minister
and the Chief Inspectors, my contribution will neeessa.rily
be brief.
I wish first to pay an ungrudging tribute to the admirable
>;pirit in which teachers all over the State have thrown
them~clves into the task of implementing the revised
curriculum. Sound as they were in themselves, the new
courses of study have been greatly enriched by the
keenness and intelligence with which teachers have
interpret.ed them. During the year I have paid official
visits to several hundreds of schools. Very rarely indeed
have I failed to tind a judicious blending of thorough
attention to fundarnentaiH with the brighter treatment of
all subjects by the use of dramatization, projects, and
other modern play-way method:.,;. Already the revised
courr;es have amply justified thenm•lves in their results.
One of the most gratifying fe~.ttures of our schools to-day
is the new spirit of friendly understanding that has grown
up between teachers and seholars~·and between teachers
nnd parents. Our school~ are now essentially happy
pl:H'i's.
There is a strong undercurrent of enjoyment in
all their activities that rarries work on pleasantly.
TeachPrF, parent», and Hcholars co-operate · in work and
in play- as never before. Indeed, a very great deal of
emdit must be given to the various parents' associations Kchool Committees, lVIotherH' Clubs, Fathers' Clubs, and
the like-~for their invaluable help in
funds for
r;choo[ equipment, sports material, school excunlions, and
other education1tl efforts. To our :\'lothers' Clubs, in
particular, the Department and the schoolH are deeply
indebted for all that they did in assisting schools to obtain
the C<[Uipment, books of reference, etc., necessary to carry
1111t the revised curriculum.
Hucent developments in which parents' :t::ilioeiationH
11,1 vn taken much interest have been in the fields of viwal
,.rJ ucation and educational hroarlen.~tH. 1'hrough their
lwlp, many schools have purcha~ed projeetors for showing
Pdueational tilmil. The greate~t obstacle to the sound
d<;vrlopment of visual mfncation has bePn the difficulty
of Hecuring ~uitable film,;. The Children's Cinema Council
llil~ done ·excellent work in investigating the possibilities
of oxtending the helpful use of educational films. Also,
the Department's Visual Edueation Committee has been
actively engaged in work of a similar character.
A remarkable fillip has recently been given to education
radio. \Yireless installations have been made in a
ll.llmber of schools. I have asked the head teachers of
theHe schoo!N to go slowly in their use, to watch closely
the reactions of pupils to wireless talks, and to distinguish
('arefully between the recreational and the educational
dfects of these. There is a place~-and an important
one-in our schools for activities of a recreational charaeter.
hut if broadcast talks are to be used as a modium of education it behoves all concerned to keep the educational
results ever in mind. ] believe there are great possilll-
bilities for good in educational broadcasts. But these
can never supplant., but only supplement, the work of the
class-teacher. The broadeast muHt aim to give something
new and fresh, something of a more vivid and inspirational
character, such as results when a speaker with all the
prestige that comes from acknowledged mastery of his
subject gives what may be called a "tonic talk." Perhaps
the greatest value of educational broadcasts will be found
in the remote country schools. To these, wireles;; talh
bring a breath from the great world outside that IJOeli
mneh to counteract the feelings of isolation and lon~:line~~
otherwise inevitable.
The Young Farnwr,· Cluh movement cominue~ to nwkt~
excellent progress. Tiw l•Jdui'ation Dr,partmnnt is greatly
indebted to t.he f>f'tlclrtment of Agrinulhre and to tho
Railways Departme1;t for their unf<~iling· a.-;sistanee. TIH•
movement has also l'f'('<;ived most vnluable ,,timulus from
the Hoyal Agricultural Society, particularly by its generou~
help in holding a camp for young farmerH at its annua I
September Show. The unanimou,; conviction of all who
have studied the work and influence of Young Farmer~>·
Clubs ic: that work in every school subject haH b~en greatly
enhanced in value. This movement has come to stay.
In my opinion, the time will yet come when thought£~)
persons will see in tfw inauguration of Young Farmers'
Cluhs the da.wn of a new reuaHcence in farming punmit~.
Spl•<,ially worthy of mention in tllis connexion is the
conference of Young Farmer"' Clubs held in Bendigo this
yeM. At this coHfereuce the young members read and
discwssed papers of distinct value and conducted their
proceedings with a smoothne~s anrl efiectiveness that
reflected the greatest cn~dit upon their training.
I wish, t.oo, to t:•:-;tify to the wonderfully fine influence
upon the ehamcter~ of our pupil;; exercised through th(•
work of the Junior H.ed Cross Circles in•schools. Through
t.heHf; circles our young people are trained to think of
thoHe in distres~ or difficulty, and to assist by gifts of
money or in kind tlw lomd hospital:;, Baby Health Centre;.;,
and similar institutions. By the exchange of portfolios
with ovr!rseu;.; eircles, a fine training i:; given in international
goodwill and undN,;tanding. Such internntional courtesies
between the ehildren of the world may yet be a big factor
in promoting world peace.
In conelusio11, I desire to place on record again my
unstinted appreeiation of the excellent service rendered
to education in Victoria by inspectors of schools. The
work of these officers demands the constant exercise of
tact, sympathy, and understanding. They have assisted
whole-heartedly in getting the revised curriculum soundly
carried out. Their visits to schools are now looked forward
to, hoth by teachers and scholars, as real " red-letter
days " from which new stimulus is gained together with
fresh incentives towards the highest endeavour. As
Director, I am very proud indeed of the splendid spirit
of devotion to the highest ideals of the profession and of
zeal in service to the community manifested by our team
of teachers, inspector:o, and administrative officers.
REPORT ON ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.
Bv
JoHN
T.
SAXTON,
As in the previou:; year, there has been a searching
t>Xarnination and appraisement of teaching methods and
of school organizations likely to be most effective in
realizing the aims of the revised curriculum. The
progressive nat.ure of the curriculum has entailed the
1aying down of lines of procedure for the development
of new :wtivities which naturally are constantly emerging.
I \mstant effort hat! been necessary to guard against a
M.A.,
CHIEF
INSPECTOR.
tendency among teachers nnd even among inspectors to
take the line of least, resistance and fall into the stereotyped
routine which is opposed to progress.
The reports of inspectors give not only n clear and
encouraging picture of the de~irable diversity in unity
among teacher;,;, but also of the emergenct> in their ranks of
a gn•at deal of skilled leadership which serves for the general
improvemt>nt of teaching practice throughout the State,
16
The self-activity of the pu11il which is the central feature
of the curriculum is finding its essential pre-requisite
in the self-activity of the teacher. Wise direction i'l of course
needed to prevent the fluent vigorous teacher from mistaking his own
for the self-activity of the pupil.
Large classes offer
serious obstade to the best work
respecting self-activity when the teaeher has not acquired
the organizing skill to train his pupils to work in assorted
grorips. Textbooks furnish another temptation to teachers
t,o depart from a sincere striving towards
It i;.;
much easier to follow the path laid down by other;,;. The
subjects most in danger of narrow textbook treatment are
history aml geogra11hy. Constant watchfulness of himself
and of the teacher is therefore an essential qualific,ttiou
in the inspector.
If thoroughne,;s in the past meant, in the main, merely
the memorization of a multitude of faets, t;hen we are not
ashamed to say we are less thorough than formerly. Then;
is, however, an adequate compen:;ation. Pupils now have
a wider intelligence into whirh to place and organiiiP w·w
facts. New knmdedge i::; grasped into wider and mon;
numerous cate;rories. In other word~ there i:> an inereased
power of leH.rning; pupils arc alJle to contrilmte more to
the success of the teachers' efiorts than ever before.
Tne project method is on the whole Lcing n;.;eJ. with
intelligence, though many teauhers in conceiving tfH~
method as the undertaking of only large-scale pieces of
original work by pupils 1tre rather apprehenf'ive of it. Any
however
i.~ cHsentially
piece of independent
a project. Tiw introduction of the projPet nH•ihod i;; one
of the most important innovations of morkm cdueational
method. By it the pupil tti trainPd in the profitable use of
leisure; he develops intcrest.s which will pt;r;-,i~t in the
after years. The use of this method and the various forms
of handwork with the cultivation of hobbie~ an;
intense purposefulness to the school a~; a social
ution.
In the teaching ohh<~ c;odal studies a vr·ry <listinct advanu'
has been made. (History, once one of the least ]'Opuhtr
subjeets, has now ad'Vaiwed to a high degree of popularity)
It is in this group of subject" that the project 11,ctLod i:o
most easily applied. Through projects, lecturetteH ami
discussions by pupils, handwork, and dramatization,
reality has been imported into the treatment of the social
studies.
Handwork.-In handwork all the feat.ures regarded as
the bases of true edueation, illterest, reality, .and selfactivity are abundantly evident. An astonil'hing variety
of crafts or variations of old erafts is practised in the
schools. The rapidity with whidt the keen teacher has
made himself proficient in quite a number of craft" is ahm
amazing. The value of handwork in proYiding for the
interesting occupation of leisure timr, apart from it,;
economic and aesthetic value, is
of national moment.
•l!:fathemauics.-Inspectm:s are in gen(•ral agreement that
this is the weakest subject, and that tht' weakness is due to
faulty treatment. A better idea of wlmt is meant by
practical treatn:ent is necessarr, and n!ore at~entio_n should
be given to prOJects anJ. to qmcknP:::s m dealmg w1th short
problems. Teaehers are still prone to devote too mnc.h
time to formal work.
Read·ing and Literature. -A g(1nor<Jl advanel\ is noted
in this section of the curriculum. Reading is improving,
and there is increased correlation with other subjects.
A further development of librarie;; and an extension of
facilities for supplementary reading is essential. The
librarv movement owes much to the Gillics Bequr~t, under
the t~rms of which there are now about 200 libraries
circulatina among country schools.
The Victoria League
of Victoria continues to do notable service in assisting
schools in remote districts with selected reading material.
Mention must be made of the splendid example set by
the Prahran Municipal Library in fmtcring the reading
habit in the Prahran district. Apart from the advantage
derived from the setting apart of a special section of the
Library for the use of ehildren, there is a fortnightly
dispatch of books to the schools of Prahran. At four
schools in the same district rooms are specially set apart
for reading.
Poetry is marked by a general improvement in treatment·
The teaching is now less analytic. A greater variety of
poems is studied and anthologies are prepared.
Art. -The present art eourse allows a great amount of
freedom, and provides a well-balanced program of
drawing actual objects from nature and of imaginative
work.
Hort,ioultwre.----The activities of the Horticultural Society
have been carried on successfully. It consists of a band
of workers who are giving valuable service to the State
and doing their best to help teachers wherever poRHible.
Fore8lry.~Therc are now 344 plantations, covering an
area of 3,200 acres, in which 400 schools are directly
interested. An ap1neciation of the value of forests commercially and as a source of pleasure has certainly been
developed.
Yow1{J Fanner8' Clubs.~Young Farmers' Clubs are
pwving most successful in stimulating an intellectual
interest in rural pursuits and in bridging the gap between
school and home. Thev now number more than 250,
with a membership exceeding 3,000.
Physieal Tmining.-·--':Niuch valuable work has been done
under the direction of one woman supervisor, with the
occasional as~ista.nce of teachers seconded from their
ordinary duties. The appointment of a male teacher
to do similar work in the training of men teachers and boys
will h(·lp to produce more satisfaetory results.
In Seeondary Schools four special teachers have been
allotted the work of training and supervision, and a noticeable improvement has been effected.
8·1J"lflllllilt{J arul Lifr:-sa'l"ing and Athletic Sports.~The
number of children taught to swim was 18,496, while the
total number of swimmers attending school was 21,165.
Life-saving methods were succesRfully taught to 9,048, and
in 90 instances pupils effected or assisted in effecting
rescues.
'l'h<' voluntary organization of teachers, called the
Victorian State Schools Amateur Athletic Association, has
earned the thanks of the Department for its splendid
organizations of competitions.
V ooational Gu•ida1we.-A district improvement has taken
place throughout the State in the ratf' of absorption into
employment. The position in the metropolitan areas,
aR sl1own in the tablr below, is typical of that obtaining
el~('when' in the State.
1933.
1935 .
Pupils who returned to school on
account of unemployment
1,012
520
3,248
1,133
Left school for work
2,710
1,575
Unemployed
Proceeded to higher education from
Primary Schools
2,972
3,469
The problem of absorption of youths over seventeen into
Hnitable employment is being attacked by various employment, organizations and vocational guidance councils.
Education of Defectiv~s:
School for the Blind.-Ji,ine work continues to be done,
the latest methods and appliances being in use. Active
~Steps are taken to secure the admission of cases not only
of actual blindness, but of seriously impaired sight, for which
also the latest methods are employed.
School for Deaf and Dumb.--The management has been
aetive in providing the latest methods and appliances for
teaching, and also in training for employment. Lip
methods for speech or speech are being applied with
success.
17
8chool for Epileptics.-At the Talbot Colony for
Epileptics, Clayton, ignorant and undisciplined children
develop sound habits of
acquire intelligence, and a
good primary education.
Travancore.-There are ul pupils, all iu residence.
1\'Ianm~l work, folk dancing, phpdcal training, and music
form a great part of the curriculum. A farm colony for
ex-pupils is suggested, as thet:Je pupils are too young to be
at the mercy of the world.
Speeial School,
and SJ:lecial Sehool, Bella greut deal of organized
street, J!'itzroy, provide,
handwork, habit::! of orderly procedure and as much elementary education as the pupils eau acquire-household
duties tor girls, and for boys various hamlcrafts.
Kew.-This school provides for a
Children's
low
of
in a similar way to those at
i\lontague and Bell.
Open "lir School, Hlackburn.-This school is proving
effective in securing an improvement in the physical health
of the pupils who from llurnley and Richmond attend for
considerable peri<)ds.
Children's Welfare Department School. ·This school is
specia]y staffed, and employs special methods to deal
with the large floating population of children enrolled from
the Welfare Department.
.Pentridge lhwl SchooL-Enrolment, 12!:1 youths,
whose average age i<> twenty years. English, arithmetic,
social studies, art, and handwork are taught. A large
percentage of those who have had opportunities to study
do not. return to gaol.
Children's Hospital School, Frankston.·-.i'i et enrolment
71. Vcry guud progre:>s has been made. Games are provided even for those in recumbent lJositions. .Many leave
without any gap in their education.
Aul:lbin Hospital SchooL-The children are at least made
happy. Those who recover resume their normal place
in school.
Brondcasting in Schools.-A strongly representative committee to control educational broadcasting was appointed
in l!:l::ll. This committee appoints lecturers and arranges
talks. 'l'he:>e are given daily from 9.15 a.m. to 9.35 a.m.,
from 12 to 12.20 p.m., and from 3 p.rn. to 3.::10 p.m., the
subjects being .Mnsic, HiBtory, Geography, English, Health,
Science, Civics, or current events, and French. Booklets
containing the syllabus of broadcasts are distributed free
to schools.
JunioT Safety Councils.- There are now !:15 Junior Safety
Counc:ils in opera-tion, eight of these being in the country.
Keen interest is taken in the Safety First posters, which
are iswed to schools at cost price. The officer in charge
of traffic police has visited many metropolitan schools
to address pupils on Safety First principles.
Stat·3 Schools Relief 01:qanization.-This voluntary organization continues to function admirably, and has met all
requests for assistance. C~o~hing a~d fo?t~ear have been
distributed in large quantities, while nnsswns have been
subsidized to provide meals for upwards of l,OO? children
daily. .Milk was distributed in the metropolitan area
during the winter of 1934 to the extent of 32,?30 ~allons
for 8 600 children, the Government grant bemg £1,789.
For the winter of 1935 the Government grant was £2,000,
and 9,000 children have been supplied daily.
Junior Red Cross.-The number of active Junior Red
Cross eircles in Victoria is now 1,649. The record of service
for the year is admirable. Nearly 10,000 dozen eggs, with
great quantities of jam, groceries, garments, vegetables,
14013.-2
and fruit have been provided to hospitals, in addition to
cash £1,357 l!:ls. 7d. The Flood Helief Fund received
£638, while clothing, boots, and shoes have been supplied
to sick children of unemployed soldiers ; £200 annually
is provided for the salary of the Almoner at the Children :;
Hospital.
School lrlusic.--Teachen;' classes from 4.15 to 5 p.ru.
daily on week days and on Saturday mornings provide
for their general training. A choral society for teacher!>
furnishes more advanced training.
The Supervisor, )Ir. Lane, and his two assistant;; visit
schools daily to give demonstrations of teaching for the
benefit of teachers. A summer school provides for country
teachers.
Choral work is increasing in quality in all schools. There
are now many brass bands, fife bands, rhythm band;; for
infants, and orchestras in the schools.
Correspondence Tuition.-l'rimary pupils-Gross, !:1::16,
net, 816. Eleven passed :l\,'lerit Certificate examination.
Pupils doing Secondary School course--811 Intermediate, 74 Leaving, and 525 Teachers.
Student teachers now appointed are more highly qualified,
and hence fewer teachers are now enrolled.
School Sav,ings Banks.-While the number of depositors,
lt$8,089, :::hows an increase of 6,586 over that of last year,
there is a decrease of £2,590 in the total balance at credit,
viz., £276,52!:1. The increase in the number of depositors,
indicating a more widespread thrift, is a matter for satisfaction.
In appreciation of the invaluable ~;ervices rendered by
teachers, the Commissioners offer two scholarships of £40
each for competition by resident students at the Teachers'
College during 19;~6. These scholarships are intended to
cover the cost of board and lodging at the College.
Training of Teachers.-The report of Jlrofessor G. S.
Browne, Principal of the Teachers' College, shows that 319
students completed the course in 1934, taking up positions
in schools in 1935. At present there are in training 373
teachers-293 primary, 18 secondary, and 62 infant teachers.
It is reported that the calibre of the students has shown a
distinct improvement in recent years.
Hegret, however, is expressed at the cessation of the
former system of training secondary teachers, and grave
doubts are felt as to the possibility of satisfactorily recruiting the secondary teachers of the future from University
graduates without previous teaching experience.
At present the Trained Primary Teacher's Certificate
of the Victorian Education Department is not recognized
by the English Board of Education, since the course is of
only twelve months' duration. )fauy capable and well
qualified primary students are desirous of proceeding to
advanced work, but are unable to meet the expense involved.
It is suggested that it would be greatly in the interests of
the Education Department if 50 bursaries were given
each year for extension of the courlles of the best students
to a second year.
I must thank district inspectors for their valuable
co-operation and for their abundance of helpful suggestions
in carrying on the work of administration. By means of
district and group conferences they have ke}:lt alive the
enthusiasm of the teachers.
To the teacher~:> who, after all, represent the fighting
line of the Department's army, one must also express
thanks. By their voluntary associations and conferences
in the interests of their work they have made the progress
of education secure in the State.
18
REPORT ON SECONDARY EDUCATION.
BY].
A.
SEITZ, M.A. (OxoN.); B.C.E. (MELBOURNE); CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SECONDARY ScHooLS.
The financial position of the State has necessitated
continued rigid economy in all departments of Secondary
Education, and in consequence it has been difficult to
provide extra accommodation, even in cases where it was
urgently required.
Buildings.-During the year, the Mac. Robertson Girls'
High School was completed. It was opened by His Royal
Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, on November 7th. The
building provides excellent up-to-date accommodation for
our most advanced Girls' School.
The High School at Leongatha was re-erected, and the
new Elementary and Higher Elementary School completed at Nhill. The transfer of the common rooms from
King-street to East Camberwell and Williamstown Girls'
Schools has helped to relieve the accommodation problem
in these places. There is need, however, for additional
accommodation at .Mildura, 1\/lerbein, Swan Hill, Benalla,
and Coburg. The Flemington Girls' School and the
accommodation for Cookery, Laundry work and other
practical work at Fitzroy Girls' School should be remodelled. This would involve the transfer of the special
school to a more suitable building. The transfer of the
Bendigo Girls' School to the site of the Teachers' College
is highly desirable.
Fees Aot.-The Fees Act was again re-enacted for 1935,
provision being made for fr~e tuition in the case of par?nts
unable to pay the prescnbed .fe~s. If anY: alte~atmns
are made in these fees, the prmc1ple established m the
Fees Act of charging according to the stage of ed~cation
should be continued. Pupils taking Sub-Intermediate or
Intermediate work in any type of school should be charged
the same fee.
Attendanoe.-(See Tables A, B, C.) The enrolment for
1934 shows a slight total decrease on that for 1933; the
decrease being mainly in the higher classes. The enrolments for 1935 show a definite upward tendency. The table
showing destination of ex-pupils (see page 8), compared
with those of previous years, indicates the improved
position of the business world. (See als? Table D) .. In
nearly all cases, the perc~ntage entermg ~ccupat~ons
showed an increase. The mam decreases were m farmmg,
in transfers to other schools, in home duties, and in
unemployed.
Currioulum.~The introduction of Latin as the first
additional language in Central Schools was begun in. 1934.
This year, approximately 50 per cen~ of these pup~ls ~re
studying French also, and the remamder ~re contmun~g
with the study of Latin. In the larger Htgh Schools, 1t
is possible to provide an alte~native between German and
Latin in the first year. Pup1ls are thus enabled to study
:Modern Languages.
A special experiment in providing Saturday morning
classes at the Mac. Robertson Girls' School for pupils who
desire to learn modern languages was commenced in
] 935. At the beginning of the year, two classes of pup~ls
took up the study of Japanes~. In the second term, ~n
response to a demand for Itahan, three classes of pupils
and two classes of teachers were started successfully, with
the help of the Dante Alig?ieri Society, _whi?~ has pr.ovided
instructors for the pupils classes and 1s g1v1~g assistance
in the provision of suitable textbooks for pupils.
Girls' Schools.-The Proficiency Certificate in Home
Arts and Crafts, which was awarded for the. first ~ime in
1934, has supplied ~ definite ~im to the puptls taku~g the
domestic courses m post-pnmary schools. Candidates
were presented from sixteen schools and 210 certificates
were awarded. A special feature of these certificates is
the award purely on an accrediting system by the teachers
of the school.
As a result of the splendid display of physical culture
given during the centenary celebrations, it was decided
to carry on this special work in the Girls' Schools during
1935. The teachers appointed are working excellently,
and the innovation has met with universal approval from
head mistresses, parents and pupils. It is hoped that
it will be possible to extend gradually the teaching of
special physical culture in secondary schools.
The new regulation placing Girls' Schools on a silllilar
footing to High Schools iu the mode of election of
advisory councils, etc., should also assist in improving
the status of these schools in the minds of the public.
Supply of Secondary Teachers.~--Before the end of 19:l5,
it will be necessary to decide on the mode of obtaining
the future supply of secondary teachers. The system
previously in operation had two main defects(a} The student was maintained by the State for at
least four years at the approximate cost of
£75 per annum.
(b) It was necessary to prophesy the probable wants
of the service four years ahead. In addition,
the length of service of female teachers tended
to approach the minimum of three years.
Two possibilities of maintaining a supply without
involving the State in excessive expense are :-(1) To select twenty teachers with degrees for a oneyear's course of training for the Diploma of
Education.
These would have to be chosen at the end
of this year.
(2} To fill the vacancies existing at the end of 1936
by the appointment of qualified teachers with
degree and diploma.
If the latter procedure is to be adopted, it is essential
that the commencing salaries of such teachers should be
in accordance with their qualifications and experience ;
using the scale approved by the Public Service Commissioner, which was in 011eration for many years. If
this is not done, the better teachers will gravitate to the
Registered Schools, and the weaker ones will be the only
applicants for positions in Departmental Schools.
The supply of teachers of manual arts and domestic arts
is now almost exhausted. It would be advisable to adopt
a similar procedure, and select people with the requisite
knowledge of their subjects as deternlined by suitable
Technical School qualifications, and place them in the
Teachers' College for a training course of one year's
duration.
Kvening Classes.-It is undoubtedly the function of the
secondary schools to extend part-time education to pupils
who are in employment, and to give orJportunities of
increasing knowledge to those who have the necessary
leisure. Where Technical Schools are in existence, vocational part-time classes have been established by them.
In other districts, the development of these has been
retarded by the difficulty of obtaining payment for the
teachers conducting the class. It is hoped that the
decision to pay teachers in cases where the class is selfsupporting will result in the establishment of evening
classes in commercial, literary, and manual subjects in
many country centres, so that the Departmental Secondary
Schools will have not only pupils in full-time attendance,
but also all those who are willing to give some of their
leisure time to the acquisition of knowledge or special
skill.
Destination of Ex-pupils.-The return on TableD shows
a much improved position with regard to the employment
of ex-pupils of High Schools. The decrease in th~ nJ.Wll>er
19
unemployed is due to the increase in the number entering
commercial and industrial life. The number transferring
to other secondary schools has also shown a decrease.
Examination Res11Us.-(See Table E.) The effect of the
economic situation is shown in the decreased numbers
sitting for the public examinations ; this has affected
State t:econdary schools more than other schools, particularly at the honours stage, and the percentage of total
honourH obtained by High School pupils has in consequence
decreased.
Hostels.-There is very little change in the hostel position.
11o~t head masters have to make arrangements for the
boarding of pupils from other centres with private residentl:l
and ensure that there is sufficient supervision of the pupils
so billeted.
Conveyance.--Grants in aid of conveyance of pupils for
post-primary education were continued at Benalla, Colac,
Daylesford, Echuca, Foster, Frankston, Leongatha, Maryborough, Murtoa, Bairnsdale, Rushworth, Sale, Swan Hill,
Terang, W arragul, Warrnambool, Yallourn.
The transport schemes at Ararat, Camperdown, and
:\:Iaffra were di~<continued.
TABLE
June
Attendances.
I
Over 900
800
TABLE
A.
0,524
5,985
3,459
2,643
1,079
l'!r.-t
s~eol\d
Third
]'ourth
Filth
o!ixth
23,888
4
4
4
6
g
15U
100
75
50
25-49
1··24
23,782
23,313
6,510
6~157
3.53H
2
1
4
3
1
1
1
1
4
3
2
4
13
3
3
1
8
15
15
1
8
15
11
10
6
Totals
36
31i I
'
4!)
4G
1
1
2
1
2
4
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
3
2
4
2
7
10
1
1
1
1
2
5
2
4
1
12
8
8
3
12
-------
TABLE
D.
Destination of ex-Pupils, High Schools only.
(Number per 1,000.)
Junior Teacher
University
Public ServicH
Pharmacy
Uallways
l:lauks ..
Commercial Lif<•
Industrial Life
Fanning
1'echnical School
Business College
..
..
•,
..
,.
.
Home Duties
Nursing
104
15
16
9
11
34
100
129
47
30
45
178
185
94
60
12
12
11
ij
(l
"
26
212
12U
41
34
58
170
156
3
18
13
D
1
8
167
04
iil
!W
3.3
172
223
3
24
13
16
4
4
10
193
78
50
42
52
170
142
18
12
4
6
4
7
3
12
l4
187
140
06
lOO
G2
38
32
163
175
55
20
54
155
137
23
15
19
6
7
14
233
105
35
40
67
130
120
4
31
Miscellaneous and
Unemployed . ,
Numbe.r
Pupils
22,208
2
1
4
Other School
Uross Enrolment:
High School Course (High Schools,
Higher Elementary, and Central Schools).
Tot!.ls
.. !
700
600
600
400
350
:lOO
250
200
Inspection.-~ This
Report could not be concluded without
an expression of appreciation of the work done by the
secondary inspectors during the year. They have loyally
endeavoured to overcome the difficulty of working with a
reduced staff, and have received valuable help from the
district inspectors, particularly in the matter of transport.
[t. is highly desirable that the vacancy on the staff should
be filled at the earliest possible moment.
The attend .nee in the various forms of post-primar 1•
education is shown in the following tables. Table A
show;; the distribution into various years, while Table B
shows the attendance in the different typ::s of schools for
the period 192!1~1934.
0.
Attendances at Secondary Schools.
of
147
Ex3,909
2,99()
Gross Enrolment ..
11.1()3
Percentage ol ExPupil'
35·~
2,:?60
526
996
393
20,216
19,855
TABLE
E.
Result of Public Examination, 1935.
87
61
101
70
B.
Post-primary Schools,
105
56
91
59
TABLE
Gross Enrolment
Sdool.
~n
Lcnving Certificate (Honou!'S).
cate.
1929~1934.
1933.
1934.
Whole State, all
Schools
Secondary
State
Schools
Cenl;ral
..
..
Higher Elementary,
High
Leaving
Certifi·
Passes.
"'Percentage or Pas~~s
or Honour~ ob·
tained by State
Se hoot.
2,781
1,351
1,203
412
43 (45)
33 (25)
73
34 (:l1)
151
30 (32)
238
20 (3())
462
29 (34)
Girls'
• The percentages tor 1933 are given in brackets.
,runior Teclmie'li
Tohls
In addition, High School pnpilH gained or shared seven
exhibitions, and were awarded twelve Senior Scholarships
and twenty-four Free Places at the
20
REPORT ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
Bv E. P. ELTHAM, B.E.E., A.M.I.E. (AuST.), CHIEF INsPECTOR oF TECHNICAL ScHooLs.
During the year under review, a further marked improvement has taken place in industrial activities, and this
recovery has been reflected in the better opportunities
for employment of students who have completed junior
and senior technical school courses and in the greatly
increased demand for both junior and senior technical
instruction.
But'ldings and Equipment.~ The compulsory suspension of
building activities since 1930 owing to lack of funds has
resulted in a serious deficiency in class-room and workshop
accommodation to meet the demand for instruction. This
deficiency is most marked in the metropolitan area, in
which almost every technical school is in need of extensions
to its dass-rooms, workshops, or laboratories, or of the
remodelling of old and unsuitable buildings which have
outgrown their U8efulness and need replacing.
An extensive building plan--having regard to urgent
present needs and to the requirements of the near futurehas been prepared and is only awaiting the provision of
the necessary funds for its execution.
In addition to extensive renovations to school property,
major buildings approved during the year were a new
technical school for Yallourn and extensions to the Box
Hill Girls' Technical School to accommodate claB.~es held
at present in rented buildings.
The need for adequate funds to maintain plant and
equipment on up-to-elate li.nes is causing grave concern
to technical school authorities and to all entrusted with
the development of an efficient system of vocational and
technical education. As pointed out in my previous
report, the average amount of special grant made available
for replacement of obsolete equipment and for the provision of additional plant for nmv developments was
approximately £11,000 per annum, while that for the
depression years-1931-33-was only £510. The increase
in this grant to £2,700 for the present year, while an
improvement on the grants of the previous years, is still
altogether inadequate for the purpose.
The rapidly growing demands for technical instruction
(both practical and theoretical) in many comparatively
new branches such as tho~e associated with the quickly
expanding eleetrical and motor industries, welding, production <~ngineering, induRtrial metallurgy, radio engineering, &e., all ereate insistent demands for modern equipment,
and emphasize the necessity for keeping up to date the
existing trade, art, and professional departments of
instruction. Grateful acknowledgme11t is made to those
employers and companies who, realizing the value to
industry of the training carried out in the schools, have
assisted by making gifts o£ equipment, scholarships and
funds to the various schools. The widespread adoption of
this policy, whereby technical sch?ols are assisted to
maintain their plants on up-to-date hnes and to be representative of modern industrial practice, would be well
repaid bv the increased efficiency of the instruction imparted
to the young employees, and the consequent raising of the
standard of craftsmanship in industry generally.
Enrolrnents.-The demand for entrv to both junior
and senior technical classes for the fust term of 1935 is
a record and exceeds the previous maximum first term
enrolme~t in 1930 by over 1,800 students. Building
accommodation has been fully taxed and in many schools
has been inadequate to cope with the demand. Although
in a few centres overflow junior technical pro-employment
classes have been accommodated in temporary buildings,
some hundreds of pupils in the metropolitan area could
not be crranted admission. Evening class enrolrnents for
students"' in industrial employment have increased to such
an extent that many special classes between 5.30 and
7.30 p.m. have been provided at the Melbourne Technical
College to accomrno·hte students unable to enrol in the
normal 7 .::m to 9}\0 classes; in other cases, waiting lists
of students have been compiled. This demand is expected
to increase in 1936, with comc>qurnt further ovc·rerowding,
unless the mueh nNded additioJJal aecommod,ttion is
provide•].
EmplO!JIIICi!t of 8hde11!s. ~H is gratifying to record thr
inereasing demand by indufltry for technical school-trai.nerl
and qualified students. Hcports from all metropolitan
technical schools ami Hnme eountrv sehools direct attention
to tl:e f,,ct that the demand for' '1:wliliPd vouths exceeds
the snppl.\· availabk. The placement in imitable employment of its qualified students in accordance with their
aptitudes and abilitic~, is an importftnt fnnction of the
techni('al school, au(l a growing body of employers is
realizing the value of the expert assistance given by the
school ::;hfl in providing SltitalJlc recruits for the skilled
sections of industry.
8/riffi''.'/·--The very heavy enrolment of 1935 has brought
in it:-; train the problem of organization of special overflow
clas6es in acldit.ion to the necessity for abnormally large
classes. This hits J'''snlted in heavy demands being made
11pon the instructors. Gmteful aeknowledgment must be
made to them for their splendid response. The enthusiasm
displayed, and the general attitude of the instructorK
toward their d1!ti(•:c arc to be highly commendcd.
As stressed in my previous rq>ort, the need for legi,;lativc action to provide for all t.eachers in departmental
technical schools being removed from the ('Ontrol of the
Secondary 8r:hoob Bo:1.nl of Chtssificrs an:l placed under
the control of a board r•:prcsPntative of technical schoolc;
is long overdue.
Tmde Training.-- The reviva·l in industry and the
increased opportunity for employment for trained students
have been reflected in the greatly increased demnnd this
year for instruction in trade classes.
·within recent years, a rapid development has taken
plarw ill trade>~ eonne(·i·"•l with the mannfaeturP, installation and repair of el<,ctri,·,tJ plant and equipment, with a
eorrc;;pu1Hling <le111n.nd for tnchnical instruct.ion. It i~
regrtcttable to rrport that. <tdcrl uate provision for Fmch
demands could not lw m;ule on aecount of th~ Ktringency
of lite de}:ression year-;. The clll'\Res estahldwd nt the
Collingwo<Hl Technical Sr:hool for the training of apprentices in th, hoot anJ .~hoe industr.v have (lm-eloped very
rapidly, ami 11re at present attended by some 472 apprentice~.
The
part of the equipment has been
geno•!'OuHJy loaned to the school by the British United
Shrll' .\Lvol,iner:• Compa11y, and arrangements have been
mack for the production of a variety of boots and shoes
for the Children'., \\'elfan: Dep:trt.meut at cost price.
Appre;dice,hip C[,rs.,e<. Apprrntiees attending Technical
Schools under the comp 1tbory conditions of the Apprenticeship Act now number ] ,2 t8. 'l'hese part-time day and
evening cour:Jes continue to function very satisfactorily.
As thP Apprent.icc:ship Aet requin•s def1nite edueational
qualifications for apprenticeship in the trades under its
jurisdiction, rla.ssos arc now more uniform in educational
attainment. This, togetlwr with greater continuity of
attendance over a number of years, makes for higher
efficiency throughout, and leads to a smaller wastage
during the course tha.n is the caRe with voluntary students.
There has been a verv considerable demand for instruction in wnlding, and this year classes have been corn,
meneml ut tho Ballarat and Bendigo Schools of Minesand at the Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong.
Classes for motor-body builders and panel-beaters have
been commence•! at the Richmond Technieal School in
conjunction with the large existing classes in motor
engineering, to meet the widespread demand for instruction
in these subjects.
21
Professional Training.-Full-time day training for
diplomas in the various branches of the engineering profession is being given in all the principal centres, and a
very pleasing aspeet of this work is the demand from far
distant places as well as from local industries for students
who have completed a diploma course. In this connexion
there has been a considerably increased demand for
profe:;~ion:,l training in mining and metallurgy. The
expert certificate eour~es established to give profeRsional
training to students in full-timc employment continue to
nmdcr a much sought service, especially in the v,uious
brandH•>; of engineering and in applierl chemistry. A
reviBion of all dav dillloma courscs. with a view to establishing them 01; a ·four-year h;t~i-;, has hcen further
comidered hy a special commi1tH,~, hut finality has not
.n·t been reached.
Archi1;ectural training under the reorganized system
carried •)Ut in conjunction with th<o Institnt•• of Architects
has been arlvanr;•"l a fnrther starre at the Melbourne
Technical College, resulting in a much improv<'d ,t;tndard
of entry to thi" profession. The revival of t}u; mining
industry led to an increased demand for specialiwd mining
instruction, and t1te provi;;iou~ to meet thi;.; Wf·t(' "''portcd
last year. Thnse eollri'es have been further developed
and extended, and the work has been assi.~ted by special
grants from the Commonwealth for th'• furtherance o[
practical mining instruction.
r:onulry Scf,.,,,,,. -!£nrolnwnt.; lll (IOUntr,v techuieal
,,dtOols have gennrally ~hown n slight improvement on
those of last year, the incr'<';t.-.:eH being mo...:t marked in the
''venin!-( eoHr'<es in ,uhjf·ds a,;<.-.:ol'iaterl with tlw en:.!inrering
t.rades.
The woolsorting classes at Geelong ha\·e reached record
figures, and the short intensive conr"''" carriccl oLLt at
sevcnd of tlle country schools have prov(~rl as popular as
ever. ln flOme schools special courHe.~ for yotmg farm
workers have been established, the principal subjects
heina metalwork, woodwork, book-keeping, &c., modified
to s~1it the needs of primary industry. It is hoped to
advance this activity much further in the future.
Girls' and Women's .Teohnicnl Schools.-The enrolments
at all girls' schools show a large increase on those of last
year, and in many cases all available accommodation
has been nsed to its limit, and still students have been
turned away. The quality of the work done in these
schools has called forth very favoumble comment from
competent critics.
Junior Technical Sehools.-Almost all the metropolitau
schools were forced to turn away studrmts at the beginning
of the year, so grmt. was the d.emnnd for entry. Prinei pals
report that no difficulty is experienced in obtaining employment for qualified boys, while steps are being taken
to see that as far as possible the boys who obtain employment continue their t.edmieal education in the evening
classes.
Special Activilie.<.
Visual Educa.tion.--Steps are being taken to m'l.kr
motion picture.~ an int.c;zml part o£ the inRtruction in the
schools, and some school.9 have already purchased projection outfit.s for n>~c in class-room instruction.
At
the ~felbourne Technical College experiments have
been made in the use of the film in the illustration of some
of the more abstruse problems of higher technology, and
it has been found that there i:-; an extremely wide field
for the application of this t..vpe of work. It is hoped to
establish a central library of ,;nitahle film;.~ and to ha.vi' n
pro,icetor in every school.
Victorian Technical School/ Centenary Exhibition. --As
part of the Education Department's contribution to the
Victorian Centenary Celebrations, all the Technical SchooiH
of Victorirt co-opcratml in hol(ling a c.omprehensive
exhibition of the work of technical il':hools.
REPORT ON ART AND APPLIED ART.
BY W. R.
DEAN,
AR.CA
Prinuuy Schools.· -New ideals ant! method" in J~dueation
have given a more important place to art and handwork
in the sr?hool cu rrieulum. The prc~ent art course in primary
.';ehools allows a great amount of freedom, and provide~ a
wcll-bahncml program, ima.g:inati ve work, awl t.he reproduction of aetnal objects bein~ included. The use of
squared paper ha3 heen introdnced for the construction of
decorative units nnd their repetition to cover a small or
large smface.
High School~. ln high sehools the teaching of art is
generally confined to the work prescribed in either syllabus
A or B. The larger fields of art and applied art, including
various forms of craft.work, have not been developed to
any gr·~at extent, though in some schools craftwork of a
high sMndard has been completed. Teachers have d.cveloped the subject of hi~tory and appreciation of art on
It is a matter
cultural and comparative Iincs.
for grave consideration that some schools, in conuning
art imtruction solely to the prescribed subject.s of
syllabus
have entirely omitted instruction in practical
geometry and perspective, yet the basis of architectural
planning and the consequent construction of buildings
depend on geometrical knowledge.
Junior TechnicalSchools.~The syllabus for free drawing
in junior technical schools has provided a carefully graded
course in formal and accurate drawing. The emphasis
laid on. the various subjects of the course has depended
upon the standard of attainment of the students on entry.
The general aim has been to obtain manipulative skill,
w as to draw cleanly and accurately for technical purposes.
The students have quickly obtained the power to draw
(LOND.), INSPECTOR OF ART.
objects placod hdm,• them, ai!d a. prominent. plan~ has bneu
given to g•·onwtrica! d m wing. 'l'h·~ graphic rep·esentatimJ
of objects hv mnan~ of lig·ht and shade, in colour with
pastels ha' h•nn etH'O:tra:;;;rl. T!J, . study of plant and
floral forms ha;; been clu,;<>ly related to designs, which arc
now schem•;s of colour harmonies, superseding the hard and
mechanical onHun•.mtal design.
It is very gratifying to find in some schools that the art
ma:;ter is tlw leader· in well-nsed lei!'ure. This is notably
the case at .\laryhorongh, Footscray, Brunswick, an~l
Brighton.
Technical Schools.- The art classes in technical schools
have. been well attPnued dnring the year, and t.lw number
of students entering the second year under the revised
syllahn.~ is
sati::;far·t<HY. There is now a definite aim
for stndellts,
may co~plete full cotm<es of "tudy and
obtain cettiftcates on passing the final examinations. The
standard of work is much higher than formerly. The
advanced ;;tudent.s of clecorative painting at the Melbourne
Technical College lw.v,, succcs,;fnlly completed large designs
for the interior decoration of buildings, as mentioned in
a previous mport..
The architectural diploma course at the Melbourne
Technical College is now in it" ;;ccond year, and good work
haR be(\ll done by the part-time instructors, who are all
arehitects in practice. The partial recognition of the
courses at the Melbourne Technical College and the Gordon
Institute of Tcchnolo,11;y at Geelong has~ been granted by
the H.I.A.A., and further co·operation with the Uni\'ersitv
of Melbourne in arehitectural education is under consideration.
22
The commercial art courses continue to be well attended
by students in both day and evening classes. The Swinburne Technical College has given special attention to this
type of work, and its students have been very successful
in open competitions and in 8e~ttring employment.
In the classes for drcss-de;;ign taught by a professional
designer, at the }!elbonrne Technieal College, progress has
been made in designing on the model and in the draughting
of the patterns.
Among the vuried. and interesting coursm; provided for
tnchnical ;;chools of the State are
in one or other of t
those in etching and ~imilar graphic arts, hand weaving,
photography, dccomti,·e metalwork, mo:ielling and sculpture, pottery and ceramics, and cabinetmaking and
upholstering.
At the Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy,
the art dcoartment ha-> been more in touch with other
department:> of the
The influence of art i,.; apparent
in the allietl crafts of decorative nc,crJlciYOrk, rlrcssm·Jkin~,
millinery, and Hoft toy making.
ATl Tntining of Tenclwrs.classes in technical
schools for primary teitdwrs have !wen well attl'udel--thc
approval system, based rH the Hia:uhml of work done in
class and upon regular attendance, both certified to by the
instructor in charge, has proved successful. :Many student
teachers also have attended these claiJses in order to obtain
qualifications in art and handwork, before receiving
appointment as clas.3ified teachers. The instruction has
been varied to form a program of drawing and handwork
suitable for rural schools.
The re-introduction of art scholarships for teachers
should be given early eomiiJera,tion, as the number of
teachers available for positions is steadily decreasing,
owing to the discontinuance of training during the past
few years and to retirement~ of women teachers reverting
to the normal rate. Also there is a demand for more highly
qualified teachers of advanced art, owing to the increased
enrolments at technical schooL-J. In order to meet thii
demand anJ to avoid the nece~sity of importing highly
q nalilied teachers from over::>eas, the S ominated Art
Courses should be rc-introdueed without delay.
School exhibitions were concentrated in }felbourne
during the year, and the Technical Schools' Centenary
Exhibition held pride of place. The exhibits of art and
of applied art and craftwork were of a very high standard,
every subject and coun;e in the art syllabus being represented by exhibits crcditahh! to ~tudcnts and ten.chers.
REPORT ON MEDICAL INSPECTION AND KINDRED SUBJECTS.
131'
]ANE
S.
GREIG,
M.B., Ca.B., D.P.H.
During the year lH:H ;~fl, sehool n:r'dical and dcut:d
work has been eontinuld in pmctiealir the same way as
last year. Ti1e medical staff rc'awi!l:s tlre !i<llll(', but tbere
in the penmnnd of the clr·ntal
have' been several
staff.
Bm!MAH< oF 'VoHK Do~J-:, l\i3J-0iJ.
The preacnt staii consists of 7 full-time mediua1 olticen;,
8 full-time dentists, 8 full-time dental attendants, 2 fulltime temporary dental atteiHhnt:.<, 1 full-time school nurse,
and 1 temporary school nur~1; (four mouths), 2 full-time
~chool disinfector.~.
Girb.
1
tidwol Medical Ofticcrs-·
l~len1enta.ry Sehools~~---l'upjJ~ n~a1ninP l
High Schools--Pupil;; examine<!
::lpeci&l Casc:s-Pupils examn,vd
Total.
31,7(10
3,780
172
..
I:J.),H2
Total
I
District Health Ofticers-Elementary Sehools-l'upih; examitwd
'-·---~·~-:-------
Total Xulllber of Chil<lrcn examined ' l '.1,\1-JO
Examination of Tcachcrs·For Appointment ..
For Siek L('IWO
Jii'IJ.
17,28;) 137,223
'\\ nllil'll.
3o8
u~
4lt)
:m1
1 Tot.aL
I
ti3ti
,13/l
740 i 1,271-
Sc>hool Dontists-Childr0n treale<l ..
School Nurses-Homes visited
Cost*Sala.rics of Staff
Other Expenses
2s,:>:m
7,888
£
s. d.
8,737 15 4
4,72Ci 13 4
Total
• This includes all expensen c.\:cept that of clerical assistnnec.
TwE~'rl'-FIVE YEARS OP MEDICAL I~SPIWTIOX.
School medical inspection began in Vietoria in November,
1909, with three full-time medical officers. During the
early years of. medical inspection in Victoria a scheme of
work for this department had to be developed. As far as
possible, a careful inquiry was made into the manner in
(MELr:ouR:~E). CHIEF MEDICAL INsPECTOR.
whioh similar work wa::; cou:hctPd elsewhere, but it was
fnnnJ that very llttle information was available, and what
existed ·was fwm ,';o fur away t:wt it was often of little
v:tlue. '\Tork here !ut~ thc·refore b:wu developed almost
entirdy in its own way.
Problem,; fell into sever:;.! groups::!Yiedical examination of chiUren and teachers, attention
to ::;clwol building", infc·ctiouH diseases, and teaching of
hygiene. With c;uch a full l'rogram and a very small staff,
very careful coibijn,·:ttion had tv be given to everything
umlertaken to be- s:.Lro that the ntmo:,;t value was being
obtained forth£.' ti,ne and 'mcrgy spent.
In regnnl to tht> medical examination of children, comparatin,ly little was known of the normal child. A careful
examination was therefore considered necessary. This was
done
taking each child separately, having it weighed
and measured, tlwn undre;.csing it at least to the waist, the
doctor testing vision and hearing and giving each a eareful
physical examination.
From the first no diifienlty was found in obtaining the
willing co-operation of the Department and the parents
for this examination. Before the child was examined a
card 11·as sent to the parents, notifying them of t.he
approaching medical examination and carrying a series of
question8 which the 1mrcmts were asked to answer in regard
to the health and early history of the chilJ. These cards
were well filled in and proved most useful. Unless an
objection was sent in writing by the parent, and these
were verv few, et<eh ci1ikl in the school visited was medicallv
examined. SchooL: vijtt-rl were chiefly }fetropolitan, with
a few in
country towns and some Bush Nursing
CPntres.
'fhe medical examination of teachers was begun in
191t-12, and at fir.st was eoncerned only with the exa.mination of entrants to the teaching serv{~e at the Teachers'
College and for the domestic arts course, but from 1914
onwards it has included the examination of all teachers
entering thP public service, of all teachers who were on
sick leave for a. month or more and, since 192f\, the medical
examination of all teaehers for superannuation or retirement. In this way the Education Department has the
health control of its teachers from their entrance to high
school (and sometimes even from entrance to the elementary
school) until their retirement.
23
In 1909-10, a few modern school buildings were beginning to appear after a long period of inactivity following
the crash of the land boom and the resulting depression.
In many of the old buildings overcrowding aml unsatisfactory lighting wa3 the rule, but following a departmental
conference in 1911, at which architects from the Public
Works Department and school medical oflkers were
present, modern standards were set down for the health
factors of air, light, seating, and cleanliness, and were
adopted for all new buildings and for the remodelling of
any school. This standard, which has since been maintained, l:as done much to make our pre~pnt; schools healthy
and satisfactory.
The teaching of hygiene was introduced by lectures and
demonstrations ginn by the school medical offtcers to all
students in the Teachers' College and College of Domestic
Economy. Special courses on care of children and first
aid were included from time to time. Every opportunity
was taken to give lectures on hygiene to special groups,
such as summer schools for swimn,ing or physical training.
From 1£!14 onwards a course of lectures in hygi<'ne was
given at the University to students entering for the Diploma
of Education course.
With regard to infectious disease, a definite schedule
was prepared for the use of teachers, fixing a definite
period of exclusion for various diseases and giving information in ."egard to the means by which they were spread
and the means by which they could be controllPd. A
definite .stand was taken against the universal closure of
schools on the appearance of any infectious disease, which
was a very popular method at this time. Later, when
definite preventive measures such as swabbing and immunization ·were introduced for diphtheria and other diseases,
it was considered that this was the special duty of the
Public Health Department rather than the Education
De}Jartment. This work, therefore, is now carried out by
the Medical Ofiicers of Health and not by the School
Medical Officers.
In 19] 2, two school nurses were added to the medical
inspection staff. Contrary to the custom in other states
and countries, theso nurses did not accompany the medical
ofiicPrs to the schools. It was felt that, with sueh a
limited Etaff, their services would be of the greatest usefulness if kept to "following up," that is, visiting the
homes of the children, interviewing the mothers, and
urging the treatment of the defects found at the medical
examination of the child. The school nurse is asked to
give special attention to cases where there is undue delay
in obtaining treatment. She has to find out t.he reason
why treatment has not been obtained and try to solve
the difiieulty. She must also remove any ignorance or
JlrejudicE against f;reatment. In this way she is really
conducting a personal educational campaign amongst
mothers.
. By 1914 sufficient experience had been gained to enable
us to adopt a definite scheme of procedure. All our early
reports show the gr(•at number of serious defects of nose and
throat, vision, hearing, teeth, &c., which existed amongst
school children and which requiretl treatmE-nt. Vfith so
small a medical staff it was not possible to exercise the
close supervision that would have been valuable if defects
could have been checked up every year or so; hut to do
the greatest good to the greatest number we had to visit
as many schools as possible. So, instead of visiting each
school e..-ery year, we adopted the principle of trying to
examine each child three times in its school lifc-~once
between 6 and 8, then between 9 and 11, and again
between 12 and 14. This practice we still follow, as at
no time have we ever had a staff sufficient to provide oven
this amount of inspection for every child in our State.
After -:;he medical examination a notification of any
defect in the child, which it is considered by the medical
officer can be benefited by treatment, is sent to the parent.
Later, from the cards, a list of all these cases is prepared
for the teacher, who is asked at the end of six weeks to
inquire from each child whether treatment has been
obtained and to mark the list "c:eonlingly for the information of the School ~Iedical Officers. Further notices arc
sent to parents of children who have not received the
treatment recommended.
With
tu examination of high school students, the
method was somewhat ditierent. In 1910 only very few
of these :o;dJOols exi~terl, and although they have been
gradually added to, thr hi;!h school enrolment still does
not exceed !1,500. As junior tcachers for the service were
largely recruited from the higit schools, it was felt they
were worthy of Hpeeial a lt<•ni.ion. Thus it was possible to
have all te11cbem on entrance free from all remediable
defects. For this reason high sehoob were visited once
every two years and str1dents were notifiNl of any defects
foun"cl. TI{i~ gave them sufTi0ient time t:o ob.tain the
medical or dental treatment necessary before their appointment to the teaching staff. Thus, in a very few years, a
groat improvement was obtained in the 'health of junior
teachers in the Department.
By 1914, that is, ;•fter five ye:trs, work was going well.
Approximately 13,000 children were examined during the
year 1913-14, and with the assistance of our school nurses
very effective trPatment was being obtaine{l. Then came
the war, and our Htaff was gradually depleted by enlistments. During the following five years, the staff consisted
of two medical womL'tL TtH'V, with the assistance of the
Government Medical Officer for the medical examination
of men teachers, kept rrll the essential activities of the
school medical service
anll, except that a smaller
number of children were c':mminerl in elementary schools,
work continued as usual.
In 1921 an important development took place, when
two dentists and three dental attendants wore apJlOinted.
This was the beginning of the present school dental service.
At the same time we were fortunate in having transferred
to the department the military dental hospital in the
Domain, which ·was no longer required by the Defence
Department; here under excellent conditions we began
our dental work
From the time when sd10ol medical inspection was
first establishi·d in Vidoria, it was found that the commonest of all defectq was dental raries. Dental treatment
of children in rm elementary sr·hool wa;;; practically unknown.
registered dentists in 1910
A smve~· of one school
revealed" that, out of 500 chi!d;:en, only 3 had all teeth
free from decay.
This evidence shmved that there was no necessity for
special dental inspection of school ehildren, as practically
every school child required dental treatment ; so the
school dentist.s' time could he Ufled to greatest advantage
in carrying out treatment.. Thus it was arranged that
the school medical oflicers should continue, as part of
their routine examination, to notify parents of dental
defects whenever they were seen, and that the school
dentists should devote their whole time to treatment at
the Dental Centre in the Domain. The sehools selected
were those nearest to the Dental Centre. These included
schools in our most uem;ely populated industrial areas.
At the Denta 1 Centre eaeh ehild from these schools
undl'r eight years of age had his teeth put in order, and
every year until he was twelve this treatment was repeated.
Very few were found who did not need some treatment.
Where more treatment was necessary or where a general
anaesthetic was required for the extraction of many
teeth, another appointmenr was made and the child was
brought back again.
Dental work in schools was established, not primarily
to provide dental treatment for children, but, by preventive
measures, to try to stop dental caries and to give the
child a clean and healthy mouth.
Most dentists desire that children under 8 years of age
should visit them at least four times a year, between 8 and
10, three times a year, between 10 and 12, twice a year,
and over 12 years at least once a year if the permanent
24
teeth are to erupt in the correct positions and are to be
kept sound. Tnis was of course too ambitious a program
for a government to umlervake. Btill, in our endeavour
to find now good a result could be obtained by dental care,
the school dentist was at liberGy to arra.nge with the parent
to bring these school children b<.tck three or four times
a year as required; but, officially, they came with the
scnool only once a year.
Tne results obtained from chis annual treatwenL of
children, beginning at these early ages, have more than
exceeded expectation, for not ouly are the mouths of the
children kept dean ami healthy, but the dentai supervision
of the teeth, with extractions at tire right time, at the
ages when the temporary teeth blwuhl fall out and be
replaced by the permanent teeth allows these to take
their right and proper places.
The increasing amollnt of dental treatment t.hat is being
provided by parent;; through their private dentists also
shows that they have learnt the value and importance of
dental treatment.
1925 was, however, a very eventful year. 1n that
year I was appointed a member of the First Commonwealth Royal liommission on liealth, under the chairmanship of the late Sir George Syme. l!Jvery State in the
Commonwealth was visited, and a survey made of its
Public Health activities. Later, a report was prepared
and recommendations made as to the development of the
activities of the Commonwealth Health Department.
About the same time the first big development in
medical inspection occurred. This wa:-: the addition of
four school medical ollicers, four dental ollicers, and four
dental attendants to the staff to enable the work to be
extended to country districts. Valuable and useful
though it is in the ciLy, it is much more necessary for the
outlying country centres far away from doctors, dentists,
and ho:;pitals. The corollary to tlw.t, too often forgotten,
is that also, because of the iack of tucilities for treatment,
much of it cannot be so eftective as where necessary
treatment is within reasonable reach of the parents.
Difliculty of access and cost of transport promised to be
serious .handicaps in undertaking medica± inspection of
rural schools, as 50 per cent of all schools have an attendance of under twenty t:hildren. All tllese difficulties,
however, were overcome by asking the local ,;chool committees to provide free transport for the medical olliccr
either from the railway town or from an adjacent school.
All other expenses are borne by the Depanment.
As the school committees soon realized that this was the
only way in which the services of tlle medical ollicer could
be obtained, the response ha:, been very good and, through
their generosity and kindness, nearly all oudying mral
schools have been reached. We have been able to maintain this work unbroken through all the years of the
depression.
Following medical inspection in country districts,
however, arose the very serious problem of the treatment
of some of the children's defects. In some cases fares
and expenses were provided from some local clmrity or
charitable person, and sometilheS by the local 1\eJ. Cross.
Arrangements were also made with the :Railway Department to get concession tickets tor· parents and children
travelling to a public ho1::pital for urgent treatment. To
obtain dental treatment in outlying count.ry districts is
also a very difficult matter except where the school dentist
is at work.
Medical inspection was in this way, from 1\:I:W onwards,
extended to every district of >jhe State anJ., in only a few
schools where transport was not provided, were the
children not examined. It was found that .it. took a little
over three years to cover all country districts. With
this development of country work, the country districts
really became much better off than the metropolis, where
only schools in the inner metropolitan area and industrial
suburbs were ever visited by a school medical olliccr.
Most of the suburban und registered schools received no
medical inspection.
In 1929 I was granted nine months' leave of absence to
travel abroad. During that time I visited many of the
large centres in New Zealand, America, Canada, England,
and Scotland, and, in these places, investigated the work
of the school medical and dental services. This proved to
be a most interesting and useful experience.
ln contrasting medical and J.ental work in schools in
Victoria with what wa;:; seen in other countries, mueh as
we must envy {a) the expensive setting and the amazing
fiwilities for the highly specialized treatment provided
tor the remedying of many school defects in the "reat and
wealthy cities, (b) the compulsory prevention of ~mall-pox
an~ diphtheria in Canadian cities, {c) the general and
umfonn systems of Great Britain, l think that we
have some great advantages. These are as follows:1. Our system in Victoria is under one authority
and is State-wide.
2. Country districts and rural schools get work of
exactly the same quality by the same medical
and dental staff as J.o city schools, and enjoy
the same facilities.
3. With a smaller and more scattered population,
we are spared some of the worst problems of
the Old World. Chronic starvation, excest>ive
overcrowding, and many J.iseases are rare to us.
With regard to obtaining treatment for the defects
in medic~! inspec~ion, ho\~ever, we have many
J.Ifticultres, partwularly m outlymg country district:;.
1'he sa~e applies to dental treatment except in the
metropolis, large country centres, and districts where the
school denti1::t is at work or where treatment is available
for ~.hose who can afforJ to pay the fees of a private
J.entrst. A small amoum of free treatment is obtainable
at the .Melbourne Dental Hospital, but except for that,
anJ. the free treatment proviJ.ed by the Education Department anti the :Free Kindergarten Union, no J.ental treatment
is obtainable by parents except at full private fees.
Better and more facilities for J.ental treatment, either
free or at a much reJ.uccJ. rate, are urgently required.
In my opinion, the scheme of dental treatment introduceJ. by the l!JJ.ucation Department in Victoria and
carried out in schools receiving visits from the school
dentist, is the most complete and gives the best ultimate
result at the minimum cost of any that has been tried
elsewhere.
During the five years, 1920 to l!JJO, in Victoria, it was
felt that good progre,;s had been made in medical and
dental inspection. In 1930, 4:;>,000 children and 1,4:00
teachers were medically examined and 36,000 received
dental treatment. During this period the school medical
officers .had visited every country district and every
outpost in the State. We knew the defects of the children
~nd we Ja:ew the requirements to remedy the.se ; and we
felt that, m a short time, we should be able to keep the
Australian child free from physical defects anJ. give it a
chance of being what it has always given promise of
being-the best in the world.
Then, almost without warning the world's great financial
depres::;ion hit Australia and the Governments were faced
with serious and great financial diffi.culties that entailed
drastic retrenchments in every direction. But it is a
matter for gratification that although two exhaustive
inquiries were made into the expenditure by the Department, no special curtailment of medical services has been
suggested.
May we hope that soon the world's troubles~war and
financial depression-will have passed, and that the school
medical and dental services will be extended sufficiently
to reach ever:y child in the State of Victoria.
f~u?d
B;y Authorit;y: H. J. GREEN, Government Printer, Melbourne.