ACCREDITING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 16, 20 January 1941, Page 8

ACCREDITING.

AMENDED PL/

FOR MATRICULATION.

REPORT TO THE SENATE.

The adoption of amendments to the scheme of accrediting for the university entrance examination (matriculation) was recommended by a special committee set up by the senate of the University of New Zealand to investigate the matter, which laid its report before this afternoon's session of the senate. The committee stated that replies had been received from the following professional 'bodies that thev were prepared to accept accrediting for candidates taking courses for professional qualifications:—lnstitute of Architects, &oc:etv of Accountants, EngTueers' Registration Board, Dental Council of New Zealand. The Medical Council of New Zealand was opposed to accrediting, and no reply had yet been received from the | British Medical Council. , It. was also reported that the Minister j or Education had been advised of the estimated costs to the university of the introduction of the system of accrediting and had replied that he was having the question investigated by the Department. Suitable Schools. The committee recommended that the senate approve of its scheme of last year in the following amended form: — "That entrance to the university may be by way of accrediting by schools on a list drawn up by the university in consultation with the Department of Education, and that in the first instance the accrediting list include onlv schools of undoubted suitability, and "that the system be reviewed after experience of its working. "That no school shall be placed upon the list without the consent of the governing body. "That an entrance examination be held for those who have not been accredited for entrance, such examination to be restricted to those who attain the age of 16 years not later than December 31 of the year in which the is taken; that this examination shall be of a scope and standard appropriate to the several university courses. Four Years' Work. "That at least four years of satisfactory poet-primary education shall be demanded before a candidate is accredited for entrance. "That a suitable cumulative school record card shall form the basis of accrediting. "That in order to promote the closest co-operation between the univerity and the approved schools there should be at least one liaison officer appointed by each university college who should be given such status and functions within the college, that is, associate professor, and in the schools, that is, inspectorial rank,, as will enable him to report and advise on accrediting as it affects both the university and the schools. "That the scheme be not brought into operation until all the conditions mentioned above have been fulfilled."

The committee recommended that the following notes be added:—"That the pro-vision of further specialised training for post-primary teachers, as soon as is reasonably possible, is very desirable. "That further provision be made for grants to those who propose to proceed to post-primary teaching. That where the conditions are favourable it would be desirable for arrangements to be made in the different university districts between post-primary schools and the university colleges by which there should he co-operation, on an honorary basis 'between post-primary and university teachers in the various subjects.

"That it is highly desirable that the inspectorate of post-primary schools should be further strengthened by the appointment of additional specialists."