Handicraft

HANDICRAFT The introduction of the crafts into elementary schools was authorized by the Education Code in 189o. Prior to that the School Board of London, aided by the City guilds, had already provided instruction in a limited number of schools. Since then the number of school workshops has steadily increased and now, in both elementary and secondary schools, the provision of handi craft is compulsory. The training in the crafts is strictly non vocational, and the value of the cultural content predominates. Several of the school leaving examinations now include both woodwork and metalwork as subjects for presentation.

Types of Work.

The chief crafts for boys are :—Woodwork, metalwork, basketry, printing, bookbinding, leatherwork, the plas tic arts (modelling in clay, wood and the softer metals), etc., whilst the most important crafts in girls' schools are :—Needle craft, weaving (raffia, basketry, textiles), the plastic arts, leather work, printing and bookbinding. Some of these crafts require special accommodation and equipment, and very often one work shop serves several elementary schools. The children usually attend one or more sessions per week. Boys' central and secondary schools are practically all provided with workshops.

is the most popular subject for boys. The tool equipment need not be elaborate and, usually, timber is easily obtained and is capable of being worked by boys. The commoner metals also give good scope for training, particularly in conjunction with the woodwork. A few simple machines are necessary (lathe, drill, grinder, etc.), though much useful work

may be accomplished with the ordinary hand tools (hammer, chisel, file, hack-saw, etc.). The bench-work is accompanied by working drawings made by the pupil, and good technique is in sisted on throughout. After the preliminary exercises have been worked through, a fair amount of liberty is usually given in the choice of articles made. Various interests, belonging to both home and school, are catered for. This is in accordance with the recent tendency towards encouraging originality in the pupil. When the subject was first introduced technique was insisted on far too rigidly. In order to encourage the application of good design in the exercises, every well-equipped workshop has its small reference library of good craft books. There is a growing co-ordination between the teaching of art and of crafts, and the latter is occasionally combined with teaching of applied mathe matics in the case of mechanics.

The majority of the other crafts may be taught in the ordinary classroom, especially if strong tables are used instead of the sloping desks. In most modern schools a room is set apart for practical work.

Teachers.

The City guilds of London Institute grant quali fying certificates to teachers in various crafts, and many of the training colleges now give craft instruction. The Shoreditch Training college provides a specialized course for men in both woodwork and metalwork.