STUDENT TEACHERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 251, 23 October 1944, Page 4

STUDENT TEACHERS

The controversy between MnGamble and Mr. Rae originally started over the study of history, but now concerns the. intellectual ability of the Training College student. The fact that the student may not have even average intellectual ability is neither the fault of Mr. Rae nor Mr. Gamble. It is primarily the concern of the Auckland Education Board in permitting the student entrance to the college. Over this • entrance question they have failed miserably. Many years ago a Training College entrance examination had to be passed; later higher leaving certificate was the qualification; matriculation then became the vogue; school certificate replaced that; and now Mr. Priestly has the effrontery to suggest that a partial pass in school certificate will qualify a person for entry into the college. Mr. Priestly's 14 pupils of high personality but low intellect will not make teachers. Mr. Gamble says an "increased reward" is essential to attract the higher type of pupil. Perhaps the Education Board can show some intestinal fortitude, in furthering the cause of teachers. The future nation is in the hands of the teachers. Let the educational qualifications be revised and raised so that more people can say (arid with justifiable pride also) that they are an EX-STUDENT.