Evening classes had been a feature of the Greenock scene well before the turn of the century and these were carried out in Continuation Class Centres throughout the town, e.g. Greenock Academy, Holmscroft Public School, Shaw St Public School, Mearns Street Public School, Ardgowan Public School, Belville St. Public School, Highlanders Academy Public School etc..
The subjects offered in those days were many and varied and in most cases, with the exception of the Society of Arts, were not controlled by outside examining bodies. These included, Mathematics, Plane and Solid Geometry, Electricity and Magnetism, Mechanics, Art (Drawing, Painting, Modelling, Wood Carving), Science, Building Construction, Engineering, Naval Architecture, Typewriting, Dressmaking, Gymnastics, Needlework, Cookery, Woodwork and were outlined in a Prospectus for the Greenock Burgh School Board of 1900 which was the body responsible for education provision in Greenock.
One can see that some of the subjects were of general interest and not necessarily vocational. The Watt Memorial School, instituted in 1909, was a result of the obvious demand in such a maritime dominated town for officially qualified naval engineers and officers. It is important to note that the remit of the first principal of the Watt Memorial School extended into the evening session as Principal of the Greenock Technical School which covered all classes carried on in these other centres in the evenings.
The Greenock Technical School was instituted in 1901/2 and was led by Alex Norwell as Principal. The Greenock Burgh School Board reported in 1905 that ‘the very poorest of our neighbours are provided for, as well as those who are well to do. A fee of 1/6 per session – returnable to those who make 90% of the attendances – plus free scholarships for those who require aid in carrying out their further education at the technical school is tantamount to free education in a very special degree. Truly the educational ladder in Greenock has at last been completed and the very poorest lad in Greenock can have a university education if he has the two very necessary qualifications to benefit from it – self-sacrifice and ability.’
The Technical Schools first prize-giving was on 6 October 1905. Alex Campbell, was convener of the Continuation School’s Committee. He opened proceedings by saying that if Greenock was to hold its own with shipbuilding and sugar, it had to keep ahead of other countries who were making a bold bid for supremacy. Their young men to be successful must be thoroughly grounded in technical education.