STATE EDUCATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 196, 19 August 1899, Page 2

STATE EDUCATION.

NEW REGULATIONS SUBMITTED.

ABOLITION OF INDIVIDUAL PAS&

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The outcome of the recent Educational (Jonlerence is the issue by the Education Department of proposed new regulations for the inspection and examination of public schools. The proposals abolish the individual pass system; that is, they give the head teacher power, with certain limitations, to determine the class in which any pupil shall be placed instead of leaving it to be determined by the inspector on the results of the examination held by him on one day of the year. The proposals further give to the head teacher power to arrange his pupils in different classes for different subjects, according to their ability, and proficiency in the several subjects. The latter proposal has nominally been in force for some years, but the effect of the concession has been practically nothing, because, for in« spection and examination, classification based upon the inspector's examination for individual passes has been compulsory. The first proposal has been in operation for some time in Standards!, and 11. It is now proposed to extend it to Standards 111., IV. and V. The advantages claimed for the proposed new system are truer classification, less risk of cram, greater liberty for attention of the real aims of education, the freedom of inspect* ors from a large amount of unprofitable routine work, with more time to devote to young teachers. As safeguards, it is proposed that class schedules, showing the results of teachers' examination, shall be countersigned by the inspector if he approves. The right is reserved to the inspector to examine the pupils of any class, or any school, if he see 3 fit. The standard for exemption is raised to Standard V., as the demand for that appears to be universal. The inspector will give certificates to all candidates in Standard V. who wish to gain exemption certificates. This method is adopted in England and Scotland. The inspector may himself examine or may merely take the results of the teachers' examination at his discretion. The inspector will examine all- pupils in Standard VI. and grant certificates of proficiency. This will not. interfere with freedom of classification, and the certificates required for the public departments, etc.. will be given under the authority of the inspector. The distinction between pass subjects and class subjects will disappear, and both will be included under the term, "class sublets." In view of the approaching inclusion of manual instruction, the •svlinbus will not be readjusted at present.