Science at crisis point, sav deans

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 47

Science at crisis point, sav deans

PA Hamilton Science in universities is at “crisis point”, science deans from all New Zealand universities said after an unprecedented two-day meeting in Wellington prompted by concern over science education in New Zealand. The deans have warned that the continuing shortage of funds for research threatens a vital New Zealand resource. The joint meeting, and the statement, represent the first concerted action by university deans of science. Waikato University’s acting dean, Professor Roy Daniel, said he found that ‘‘both comforting and alarming.” It was comforting to realise he was not alone in his fears for the future of science in New Zealand, but alarming that the fears had to exist at all. The joint statement, released by Professor Daniel, attacked deficien-

cies in both research funding and science education in schools.

“By an objective standard, scientific research has been grossly underfunded in New Zealand universities compared with their O.E.C.D. counterparts,” it said. “In spite of the high, internationally recognised, quality of university scientific research, the continuing shortage of funds for even the most promising projects threatens this important resource.

“This has been compounded by a failure of the resources made available to the universities generally to keep pace with increasing student numbers. '

“The continuing pressure to produce New Zealand graduates more cheaply than in any other O.E.C.D. country threatens standards, and the deans feel that any further cuts will inevitably lead to

unacceptably low standards.

“The deans believe that science in New Zealand universities is at a crisis point”

They will urge the Education Department to consider providing technical support for science teachers in schools as one way of improving standards of science education.

“Pupils are turning away from science at an early age — third form or even earlier — leading to a serious shortage of able students entering universities in science and technical institutes for technical training. Not enough scientists and technicians are being produced. “The secondary school science programme is placed under strain by the shortage of teachers, particularly those qualified in physics and mathematics, and science teachers are greatly hampered by the severe shortage of technicians in schools.”

Extensive syllabus changes in mathematics and science had been introduced with inadequate teacher training or support, the deans said. They will urge their faculty members to become more supportive of the education system in primary and secondary schools to help counter these trends. “We are also concerned at the low proportion of Maori and Polynesian students entering science courses at universities,” the deans said. “We believe cultural attitudes may be a factor and recommend that our faculties of science consult with Maori and Polynesian groups. “We suspect that not enough publicity on careers in science and technology is being given to secondary schools, and we intend to investigate this question with our respective liaison officers,” they said.