ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 22, 27 January 1922, Page 7

ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS.

■ UNIVERSITY SENATE FKOPOSAL REPRESENTATIVE CONFERENCE. Yesterday afternoon the Senate of the University of New Zealand discussed the question of an authoritative conference for the purpose of considering ways and means of improving the general conduct of the examinations for university student aspirants. The subject arose out of a report submitted to the Senate. The Entrance Examinations Commit-; tec in its second report concurred with tho recommendations of the Board of Studies with regard to entrance examinations, and accrediting, and recommended the opinion of the board with regard to tho urgency of a conference on entrance examinations; and also the recommendation of the board, by resolution, that the Education Department -be asked to make arrangements for, and to defray expenses of such a conference. The committee also advised the institution of a Board of Moderators of examination papers for entrance to the university bo referred to this conference In speaking to the report Professor Thompson said the imject of the proposed conference was an exchange of view.s between tbe professorial staffs of the university colleges, teaching staffs of secondary schools, and other educational authorities in order to discuss matters connected with entry to university. Ho considered tho conference would be of considerable value. It was now suggested thai the 'conference should comprise the Minister of Education, tho Chancellor of the I'niversitv of New Zealand, two members each of Senate. Board of Studies lone representative to be chairman). Education Department, headmasters of secondary schools for boys. hcadnu-tressos of secondary schools for girls, and tho association nf non-departmental secondary schools— fourteen members in all. The chancellor said this was an attempt to get rid of matriculation. Ho reminded them of what happened at American universities. Ho thought the conference should not bo bothered, and tho university should continue to exercise full control. Tiie recommendations were adopted. Tthe Senate also upheld the committee in its strong opposition to a court of appeal for matriculation candidates who have failed. PROVISIONAL MATRICULATION. "That the Professorial Board should have the power of granting provisional matriculation to students over .10 years of age under the same conditions as formerly applied (o returned soldiers." was endorsed, after some discussion, in which the majority in support contended that it was right to encourage any person over the age mentioned Who determined to go for degrees, and further, that the safeguards provided were ample. The filial clause endorsing the stipulation that in future examination papers be not destroyed until six months after the beginning of tbe examination, wa?. carried, and the complete report referred to the Statutes Committee.