Assessment bill

Press, 12 November 1977, Page 6

Assessment bill

PA Wellington! Internal assessment in) schools is put on a firmer) legal footing under a bill introduced into Parliament yesterday. The Education Amendment Bill makes a number of largely minor changes, with particular emphasis on internal assessment. The bill empowers the’! making of regulations for in-1 ternal assessment and the! charging of examination fees.!: It also gives statutory rec-b ognition to all internal-h assessment arrangements so): far made by schools. The Minister of Education (I (Mr Gandar) said the tighten-J ing of the law on assessment 1 was taken on the advice of < the Crown Law Office. I The bill also provides for; 1

(less harsh action against (members of secondary school councils convicted of offences punishable by imprisonment. At present, a member is required to vacate his seat if convicted for such a crime, but the bill says this is necessary only if it i s punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than two years or if ; actually imprisoned. ’ The bill a l«o empowers the Minister of Education to (authorise the governing body 01 a secondary school to offer technical subjects to people not enrolled as students j, Authorisation for the maixing of regulations empowering school committees to grant holidays on special oc!ca£!?ns ' s also given. : TJe bill was introduced I without opposition. i