EDUCATION IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26986, 11 March 1953, Page 10

EDUCATION IN BRITAIN

Nation-Wide Inquiry Into Standard (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. A nation-wide inquiry is to be made to find out whether the standards of reading, writing, arithmetic and general knowledge among school-children are getting lower. Many teachers, businessmen and parents say they are. Others say such condemnation springs merely from old age’s habit of criticising the young. Now the oldest schools examining body in England—the College of Preceptors—intends to find the facts. It has asked the Association of Education Committees to join in holding the inquiry. Evidence from teachers. Army education officers, employers and, universities will be sought. Mr Vincent Chapman, secretary of the college, said: “Many of our teacher members fear school standards are falling. We have in mind a recent Parliamentary statement that 30 per cent, of school leavers are backward. Many of us think the modern trend against examinations has gone too far and that the present general certificate of education, which replaced the old school certificate and which can be taken in stages, is pandering to weaker scholars.”