Ok, these classes were not, technically (pun intended) at Middle Road.
But they were an integral part of school life back then...read on!
I often blame my lack of culinary skills and general unease in the kitchen on not choosing to do Home Economics when in Sec One.
But then again, being the tomboy I was then, there was just absolutely NO WAY I would willingly wear the white frilly apron and scarf which were mandatory for Home Econs. *grimace*
So Technical Education it was, with lessons held at McNair Road two mornings a week (or was it three?).
It was nice to go to another school and the blue apron/red-and-white-checked scarf combo were suitably less girly looking and more acceptable (at that time).
Essentially, there were two aspects of Technical viz Metalwork and Woodwork.
There were theory lessons and then practical sessions in the workshop where we had to fashion out various items from slabs of metal or chunks of wood.
Metalwork was rather dirtier, as there was always some oil involved (to prevent rust, I'm sure) and some of the objects I remember making were a soapdish and a small hammer (more like a mallet, actually). We had to draw out the outlines on the metal and use the hacksaw and file to get the required shape. There was also drilling to be done.
Woodwork was cleaner but one perpetual problem I had was planing the wood down evenly....somehow, my surfaces always ended up a little curved...!
Or my sawing would be off and the joints of wood would not fit together properly. :(
Somehow, some way, I managed to complete those projects and would bring them home proudly to show my parents...lol!
Sad to say, Technical education did nothing to make me more comfortable wielding a screwdriver, hammer or other implements in an everyday toolbox.
But it was fun doing all that together with my friends and comparing our 'masterpieces'; I wish I had kept some of them. *smiles wistfully*
No comments:
Post a Comment