School Certificate

Press, 29 January 1988, Page 16

School Certificate

Sir,—With School Certificate results recently out, with disappointment for many, and confusion for most because of unemployment, perhaps it is time to look at the issues differently. The recent A-plus passes for students of a university paper, Feminist Issues in Education, and comments from students and staff regarding these, should cause parents, educators and students to rethink pass rates for School Certificate. In some overseas countries (Canada is one) pass rates are as high as 80 to 90 per cent. This does not mean the standards are lower. It can, or could, mean more highly educated students by high quality teachers. The more educated people we have, the better chances we have for a happier, successful society. To pass or fail at the rate of 50 per cent is immoral and outrageous,, condemning half as second-rate citizens. No-one has yet stated whether the grade passes also mean a pass rate of 50 per cent, at say, the C grade level. If this is so, I would like New Zealanders to demand better for their future citizens. —Yours, etc., KATE GLENDORRAN. January 26, 1988.