University Entrance System Criticised

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31753, 9 August 1968, Page 20

University Entrance System Criticised

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 8. The Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) has again criticised the “loose screening system which allows a vast, conglomerate mass of students to enter university.”

In 10 years there would be a head-on collision between the demand and available finance if the present system continued, Mr Muldoon said at a meeting of head teachers in Wellington today. In Britain, of every 100,000 students qualified to enter university, only 50,000 were accepted. But Britain got as many graduates from each 50,000 as New Zealand would get from 100,000. “Therefore, the British Government gets as many graduates as we do for half the cost.

"New Zealand accepts this form of economic waste be-

cause we say that New Zealanders have the right to university education under the present system,” Mr Muldoon said. Every aspect of Government spending should be efficient There was no waste in primary and secondary schooling, and this was a desirable state of affairs. However, this must be seen against a background of more children gaining more educational qualifications than ever before. University education was not a hobby horse of his, Mr Muldoon said. He was just airing his thoughts for the consideration of teachers.