PROFICIENCY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18567, 17 December 1925, Page 8

PROFICIENCY.

EXAMINATION METHODS. REPLY TO COMMITTEEMEN, Tho methods of conducting profici-* ency examinations came in for discussion at Tuesday night's meeting of delegates to the Canterbury School Committees' Association. It was alleged that a master had told some children in his class that they were not to attend the examination, because he wanted to get a good percentage of passes in his class. s "That would be of no earthly advantage to the master concerned,, supposing the allegation wore'true," said an educational authority to a representative of "The Press" last night.' "And if it were true, it is hardly likely that a master would give it away to tho children. Thank goodness the system, of a master's status depending on the percentage of passes gained is a relic of the bad old days. I should requiro very concrete evidence before I would believe such a statement. The question of percentages should not weigh at all with any master. He is there to do his best for all children concerned And from what I know of the masters, they do that whole-heartedly." An inspector, he continued, generally looked to a master for adyice when examining.

Another allegation made at the meeting was that some teachers coached up bright fifth standard pupils, and just before the examinations put them into the sixth standard, while dull pupils in the sixth standard were degraded to the fifth.

"No teaoher has the powec to de» grade" was the reply to this charge, "and I find it very hard to helieve that such a thing is done. It's the first I have heard of it. I consider that very strong evidence should be secured on this point, also before such statements are made."