NO. OPPOSITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 253, 24 October 1936, Page 12

NO. OPPOSITION.

PROFICIENCY GOES.

EDUCATION DEBATE. MANY PAiASES TOUCHED. (By 'Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON Friday. The Education Amendment Bill, which, provides for the abolition of the proficiency examination, was debated in the House of Representatives this afternoon and the motion to commit the measure had not concluded when the House adjourned for the week-end. There was practically no opposition to the hill and the debate was earned on in a, leisurely manner, many members, including exMinisters of Education, taking the opportunity to have their views placed on permanent record. Mr. S. G. Smith (National, New Plymouth), an ex-Minister of Education, said that constant changes of teachers this year had not been to the advantage of the children. The system and not the Minister was responsible for it. There should have been a period of notice before the readmission of the five-year-olds, so that the necessary number of teachers could have been prepared. lie thanked the Minister for the tribute he had paid to the work of chairmen of education boards, as evidenced by the increased honoraria. He agreed that the chairmen and members of boards had done wonderful work. Referring to ground improvements, Mr. Smith said that some boards had spent too much money on tennis courts that had been used by adults. They were not provided for the children at all, but feeei were collected from the users for raising funds for the schools. He suggested jthat -the Minister should fix either a definite aggregate sum for expenditure on maintenance of school grounds or should fix:' the percentage of the general expenditure to be devoted to that, purpose. "Would Not Cavil. Mr. Smith, said he would not cavil at the abolition of the proficiency examination. It might be dangerous where one or two teachers neglected their duty, but 99 per cent of the teachers.;:were interested in their profession and there was little evidence of them having abused their responsibilities. Every school would have its tests and standard of attainment. The horror of putting so many pupils "through the "churn" would oease,.and the teachers would be able to concentrate on different methods —not on a few pupils, but on the whole class. The scheme should have a fair trial. If it were found that it was not what was claimed for it, it could be reconsidered. Committees Hampered. Mr. R. A. Wright (Independent, Wellington Suburbs) said that practically all the school committees were hampered for funds, in spite of the fact that many of them raised money locally. He did not think that the matriculation examination should be the beginning and end of all things educational. Much importance was attached to it. It was not always the passport to higher skill and ability. Many men occupied high positions who had not passed their matriculation examinations. In reply to a point made by Mr. Wright the. Minister said he could not agree to the whole primary education system being controlled by the Department. Commenting, on the frequent changes in teachers, particularly in the country, Mr. Wright said the present system left much to be desired. He did not blame the teachers for trying to better themselves, but there was a great deal of room forlmprovement. Mr. J. Hargest (National, Awarua) said that without some sort of examination there could be no uniformity. Children leaving the primary schools needed something in the nature of a measuring rod as to. their capabilities. He objected to the opening of training colleges in the four main centre®. It looked like pandering to local sentiment. Necessary Teachers. The Minister: We couldn't train the necessary teachers without it. Mr. Hargest: Is the Minister sure he is not training too many teachers 2 The Minister: Quite sure. The Rev. A. H. Nordmever (Government, Oamaru) said there had been an amazing change of front. on the pari/ of the Opposition in reference to the admission of five-year-olds. There was no doubt that the raising of the school entry age had had a harmful effect on the young children of the Dominion. He commended the suggestion that the school leaving age should be raised to 15 J ears. The abolition of the proficiency certificates should have been brought about years ago. * Mr. W. A. Bodkin (National, Central Otago) said it would be desirable if a kindergarten could' be established as part of the schools in the centres, apart from the infant department. Continuing Policy. Mr. C. R. Petrie (Government, Hauraki) expressed the need for a continuing education policy. Any change must be in the direction of progress, rather than retrogression, as had been the ease during the last few years. Unfortunately New Zealand had a C 3 population, and the only way to develop the people was by education.- He- expressed pleasure at the proposal to deal with retardate children and children physically and mentally afflicted. Dental clinics should be attached to all the schools particularly in the country. The question of cost should not enter into the scheme.