Curio Critique # 6: On wood working in schools
| Sl. No. | Curio Book Title | Year of Publication |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Elementary Woodworking | 1903 |
Curio Book
Curio Reference
The author Edwin W.Foster in the Preface states: “It is with earnest hope that nature study and manual work may be closely correlated...No better period can be selected in which the study of trees, their leaves, bark, wood, learning by experience its grain, hardness, color and value in the arts...”
Related References
Interestingly in India, the National Institute of Open Schooling offers a course in Carpentry.
The course has the following objectives:
*Identify and select the right type of wood for various applications.
*Acquire required in the knowledge and practical skills in wood cutting, joining and other allied operations.
*Acquire required in the trade knowledge and practical skills in engineering measurements.
*Acquire experience in preventive and corrective maintenance of various cutting tools, machine tools and equipment.
*Finish various jobs within specified time and resource limits, with proper measurements and evaluate them by appropriate methods and tools.
The Telegraph in 2008 reported Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills of the of UK) children missing out on woodwork:
A couple of kilometres away from the Govt. College of Teacher Education, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram stands a fine palace noted for its wood carvings. The Kuthiramalika as it is called (‘Kuthira’ means ‘horse’ and ‘Malika’ means ‘palace’) was built in 1844 by the renowned musician king Swathi Thirunal. The palace has wooden carved structures of prancing horses along the entire length of its upper floors. It also has ornate carved ceiling too.
It is told that carpenters vied with one another to please the king by designing unique roof supporting structures. It is a pity that woodworking is seldom taught in schools in Kerala State anymore.
Curio Quest
In modern times, should we give due emphasis to the teaching of woodworking ? Would there be a potential job market?