School promotion system comes under fire

Press, 28 March 1979, Page 14

School promotion system comes under fire

The “social promotion” system in primary schools which automatically moves pupils into a higher class each year, has been criticised by Mr H. R. Peers, who will retire soon after 30 years on the Hagley High School (formerly the Christchurch West High School) board of governors. Mr Peers said progression through primary school under this system launched less-bright pupils into secondary school environments for which they were mentally and academically unprepared. They had to stay at school until they were 15, and during this time they became resentful of the Establishment, he said. The more frustrated and confused could turn to drugs and violence “as an escape valve.” Special classes had to be created at secondary

schools to teach them the fundamentals they should have mastered at primary level. Coping with such pupils put an extra strain on teachers. Mr Peers said part of the answer was to give such pupils extra coaching at primary school to bring them up to the standard of the average pupil before they were moved into a higher class. Educationalists and administrators carried a heavy burden of responsibility to ensure present and future generations were educated within a system that ensured them the intelligence and ability to integrate into the community as useful citizens, he said. Mr Peers was first elected to the school board as the GovernorGeneral’s representative, but has more recently represented the Canterbury Education Board. He was

chairman of the school board for 19 years. Mr Peers said his association with the school board had been “rewarding.” He decided to retire to let a younger and more active person take over. Mr Peers was awarded the M.B.E. in 1974 for his services ter education. He served for six years on the Wharenui Primary School committee, and was also the school’s historian. He was an original member of the Christchurch Secondary Schools’ Council. On Friday, board members, staff and pupils at Hagley High School will officially bid farewell to Mr Peers. He hopes to continue his association with the school, and is particularly interested to see the results of the school’s involvement with the community through its educational opportunities for adults.