356 TEANSACTIONS OF SECTION L. 



advancement and national and social service. Fascination of business. Chance 

 for every young business man to win unique position for himself, emulate the 

 great achievements of the commercial explorers in days gone by, place himself 

 on a level with merchant princes of to-day. No limitations : no ruts : man's 

 fortune is in his own hands. 



THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11. 

 The following Discussion took place, and Papers were read : — 



1. Discussion upon Continuation Schools, opened by Sir Egbert Blaie. 



The following Papers were read : — 



Continuation Schools: The Problem of Worlcs Schools. 

 By Dr. A. P. M. Fleming. 



The Education Act of 1918 renders possible that intimate association between 

 education and industrial life that is so desirable, having regard to the fact 

 that national life is dependent on industry. 



(1) The 1918 Education Act {England) in Relation to Industry. 



So far as industi-y is concerned, the following are the main requirements 

 of the Education Act, which become operative twelve months after the 

 appointed day : 



(a) The raising of the school-leaving age to fourteen. 



(b) Attendance at continuation classes during the daytime. 



A dual period is covered. 



(1) As children attain the age of fourteen they are required to attend for 

 eight hours per week until the age of sixteen. This will continue for a period 

 of six years from the date the Act comes into operation. 



(2) After this period the age of continuation-school attendance is extended 

 to eighteen. 



The Act does not apply : 



(1) To young persons over fourteen years of age on the appointed day, 

 except at the request of the young person. 



(2) To University matriculants or those who possess equivalent qualifica- 

 tions. 



(3) To young persons who are receiving efficient full-time or part-time 

 instruction in some other manner. Works schools are recognised under 

 this ruling, provided they are conducted to the satisfaction of the 

 Local Education Authority. 



(2) History of Works Schools. 



Prior to the Technical Instruction Act, 1891, several enlightened employers 

 provided technical instruction in classes on their own premises, but the majority 

 of the attempts were abandoned when technical schools were established by 

 Local Education Authorities. 



While the technical schools i^rovided admirable and necessary facilities for 

 the training of boys capable of rising to the higher positions in industry, 

 they were not well suited to the needs of the large majority of boys from the 

 primary schools who would become manual workers. To meet this latter need 

 several works schools in various industries were established. 



With the passing of the 1918 Education Act the scope of ' works ' schools 

 is substantially extended. The youth's interest in his work, and his associa- 

 tion with industry, is desirable as the basis of a comprehensive system of 

 education culminating in the complete development of the character of the 

 individual adolescent. 



