Intermediate science slips

Press, 26 August 1978, Page 5

Intermediate science slips

i Science teachers have been t I told that they must find < ways of improving the atti- t tude and ability of school ; . pupils, particularly those < around the intermediate] level. I i Science education had a|j full and vital role in the|t future well-being of Newis Zealand, the Minister ofl j (Education (Mr Gandar) toldlr I the first conference of the|( I Science Teachers’ Associ-I i ition, in Christchurch on i 1 ‘ Tuesday. I j | Because nearly 70 per cent] t i of students now stayed at s ; secondary school for a fourth I i year. secondary schools v I should critically examine! t

their science programmes to obtain the best match between a pupil's development and his .future goal, Mr Gandar said. In an international survey in 1970, New Zealand 14-year-olds ranked fourth among 18 countries in science, and New Zealand 17-year-olds were superior to most in science, said Mr Gandar. The report on Educational Standards in State Schools, published last month, tended to confirm that position, he said. The school inspectors, who wrote the report, found that the quality of secondary

o | science teaching was ■-! generally good to very good i t at senior level, but that stan- i i-ldards in junior forms varied : ]more widely howeve y They noted that science! I-jwas generally taught more! h|effectively in the infants to! n Standard 4 sections of the ’-[primary school than at the!, a upper primary levels. This, rlwas attributed to the effects]; I of the new draft infants-to- h 1 ] Standard 4 science syllabus.lt ; with its supporting materials. 11 1! Mr Gandar said the inspec-l e ]tors also noted that the needs I i less able pupils were notjl tj being adequately met byif /(standard prescriptions. |l

All teachers and educators must find ways of improving not only achievement in science, but also the attitudes of a significant proportion of the school population, particularly at the upper primary and lower secondarj levels towards science sub jects, Mr Gandar said. Trials had shown some possible answers, but hat also highlighted difficulties and the increased costs o: higher quality learning. About 250 science teachers from Australia and New Zea land are attending the conference, which will end on Friday.