EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 38, 14 February 1910, Page 6

EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

TECHNICAI- AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS. (By Teleff-aph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. The Education Conference resumed yesterday. A debute arose on the relation of tee-mica] and secondary schools to one another and to the University. The Inspector-Ueneral outlined what the Son.ite of the University nad dove in regard to the matriculation standard, and said it was based on what might reasonably be expected from a lour years' cuiiisc a;, a secondary school or its equivalent. Mr C. L. Bevan Brown, Christchurch, moved: "This conference recommends to the University i_en_ite that the present aggregate maximum of marks lor the junior University scholarships be reduced so as to permit candidates taking only fouT subjects to attain the possible maximum.'' The purpose of the motion, he said, was to lessen the pressure upon pupils competing for a junior University scholarship. He had noticed that boys often worked up to breaking-point, aud if that was so with boys, it was more dangerous for girls. Miss M. E. Marchant, Dunedin Girls' High .School, seconded the motion. i'rolessor Thomas warmly protested against the principle of the motion. He declared that it was. generally placing a bar on scientific subjects and a premium on literary ones. The members of the Senate of the University who regarded science as it should be regarded were too few, or their influence was too small to iu-.ike itself felt. The strain could not be removed from any examination. If a candidate broke down under the strain of in examination, he was weak. They could sympathise with the weak, but they ha. to select the strong. -Mr Firm declared in favour of the reduction of subjects. Mr Gray, Wellington, moved an amendment: "That it be a recommendation to the Senate that junior University scholarships be awarded on the result of the ni_tr_-U_a_ion examination." Mr tjoyeti (Dunedin) seconded. Professor Haslam, Christchurch, approved of the motion, and a long discussion ensued. Mr Bevan Brown, in reply, said it was quite wrong for Professor Thomas to as_tu_e that science would be discounted if four subjects were stipulated. For experience showed that a boy who did not take science was distinctly handicapped. He combated the statement that the majority of the members of the Senate disregarded the importance of science as against literary subjects, and stunned that all he was desirous of doing wa= to reduce the strain on candidates for examinations. The amendment was defeated by 34 votes to 9, and the motion carried by 22 votes to 21. It was agreed on the motion of Mr Bevan Brown that it be a suggestion that moderators be appointed to supervise the question papers set in University exa_r__ations. HOME ___AMIN___S. Considerable discussion on a subject debated at the last meeting of the University Senate was started by a motion by Professor Kirk: "That the time has come when the University should conduct at least its pass examinations within Australasia, and largely by the help of the professors of its own colleges." The present system was archaic and expensive. Au examiner at Home could take no account of the originality of mind of a candidate, or his adaptation for student life. Also, it tended to lower the professors to the position of coaches, and to demoralise University life.

Professor Thomas supported the

Professor Haslam, Christchurch, denied that he was reduced to the position of a coach. He approved the present system. The debate was adjourned.