POST-PRIMARY CURRICULUM

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24740, 4 December 1945, Page 6

POST-PRIMARY CURRICULUM

INTRODUCTION. NEXT YEAR SECONDARY SCHOOL SUBJECTS "Post-primary schools are at last free to adapt their courses and their methods to the varied needs of their pupils, and to give every child a broad, cultural education in a medium that he can understand. In so far as new powers and responsibilities have devolved upon the Education Department. I wish to make it clear that they will be used to give the schools increased freedom to develop along their own lines. The main task of finding answers to the many pedagogical questions arising from the changes will lie with the teachers. I want them to feel .free to work out their own solutions. The department and its inspectors will give them whatever help they can." In these words the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) introduces the Education (Post-primary Instruction) Regulations, 1945, the effect of which is to establish, in all secondary schools from February 1, a new curriculum which requires that every pupil "shall be given instruction in English language and literature, social studies, general science, elementary mathematics, music, a craft of one of the fine arts, and physical education." The new regulations also specify the.subjects and conditions for the School Certificate Examination. The regulations closely follow the recommendations of the Consultative Co::.rr.U'cv on th<? V ost-Vrimavy Ciuri-mi'.tQC-'s re-port. v,"'.2 i'lt.'ly d:.;cu;sed by all parties interested at the Education Conference in Christchurch last year. The decision to -retain the University Entrance Examination as originally intended, as an entrance qualification, and to supplant it as a more general educational standard by the School Certificate, had an important bearing on the question. Scope and Treatment The regulations state that "subject to the approval of the Director of Education the scope and treatment of the material specified in any syllabus may be freely decided by the principal of any school." Provision is made, in the second year of a pupil's course, for exemption to be granted from .instruction in music, a craft, or fine art. The new prescription for the School Certificate Examination states that the certificate shall be awarded to every pupil who has satisfactorily completed a ,course of at least three years' work in a course specified and passes the examination conducted by the Director of Education. • •■ The 33 topics from which Candidates may choose examination subjects are: English, history, geography. Latin, Greek, French, German, Maori, other languages, mathematics, drawing and design, music, embroidery, clothing, homecraft, book-keeping, commercial practice; shorthand and typewriting, biology, chemistry, electricity and magnetism, general science, heat, light, and sound, animal husbandry, dairying, general agriculture, horticulture, applied mechanics, engineering shopwork, heat engines, technical drawing, technical electricity, and woodwork. Examination Subjects A candidate if. required to be examined "in English and not fewer than three or mofe than four subjects, and Shall be credited with a pass if he obtains not less than 30 per cent of the total possible marks in English and in each of three other subjects, and not less than 50 per cent, of the total possible marks in the aggregate for English and the same three other subjects." An additional subject is required from those exempted from music and crafts. A Certificate of Attainment is provided for those who pass the examination but have not completed the prescribed three years' work. Endorsement of the School Certificate may be made for pupils completing an advanced course of instruction for one year afterwards. For a - five years' course of study a Higher School Certificate is provided. The regulations stipulate the periods of instruction to be given during the first and second years, under the groupings of English and social studies; general science and elementary mathematics; music, and' craft, or fine art, and physical education. »