Fifth Subject Proposed For School Certificate

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28766, 11 December 1958, Page 26

Fifth Subject Proposed For School Certificate

(New Zeaiana Press Association)

WELLINKTON, Dec. 10.

Pupils sitting school certificate and university entrance examinations should be required to pass in five subjects and not four as at present, said Mr A. E. Lock, headmaster of Rongotai College, in presenting his annual report at the college prize-giving. At Rongotai College, as in many other schools, the postprimary courses included five major subjects, but for a pass in the school certificate or university entrance examinations only four subjects were required, though five were necessary for a university scholarship. “Many candidates therefore consider one of their five subjects as a ‘failing subject’ and as the year goes - on, do less and less work, at it till finally they do only just enough to keep out of trouble, and occasionally a few fail to reach even that humble goal.’’ he said. This was manifestly an undesirable attitude to school work and it tended to be as demoralising to the pupils as it was frustrating to the teachers. “Pupils tend to lose sight of

worthwhile educational go^ s in their narrower pursuit of examination success,” he said. If a pass was acquired in uch of five subjects, this could ,be avoided. . i “I would not advocate that Vie present minimum pass m*k should be raised from 200 for the four subjects to 250 for the five, but I think that it would involve no considerable hardship if the total requirement v<as altered to say. 230.” he added. ’Thus a 30 per cent, mark could be insisted on for the fifth subject, representing only a very modest attainment, and a minimum of 200 would be required, as at present. for the other four.”