§ 4706. Course of instruction. The board of managers shall prescribe the courses of instruction to be followed in such school, subject to the approval of the commissioner of education. Such instruction shall include instruction in agriculture, mechanic arts, trades and homemaking. The provisions of this chapter and of the regulations of the education department relating to vocational instruction in the public schools shall apply to such school so far as they do not conflict with the provisions of this article and may be made applicable thereto.