ACCREDITING SYSTEM

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26125, 30 May 1950, Page 6

ACCREDITING SYSTEM

VIEWS OF MR G. S. TROUP

Some instances of the University accrediting system were mentioned by the liaison officer between Canterbury and Westland schools at Canterbury University College (Mr G. S. Troup) last evening. He was speaking to the Parent-Teacher Association of the Ashburton High School and enlarged on the subject when questioned by a reporter of “The Press” after the meeting.

“At first sight accrediting seemed to mean unlimited freedom for schools to send on as many of their pupils as they liked to the university. So complete are the checks on accrediting that when one looks below the surface one sees that examination is supreme to an even greater extent than it was in the old days.” said Mr Troup.

“This is because first a certain portion (about one quarter) of each school’s candidates for entrance must sit the entrance examination instead of being accredited, and some of these must pass, otherwise the school is warned that its position on the accrediting list is in danger. “It has not been unknown for cunning schools to send some of its best pupils up for the examination while the weakest are accredited. However, this is where the second check operates—that’ of performance over the years in university examinations. Where the liaison officer notices a discrepancy in favour of examination candidates and against credited ones. Nemesis, though slow, is sure to overtake the school in question. Thus entrance. even by accrediting, is subject to a double check by examination.” he said.