TEACHERS' CERTIFICATES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1088, 29 March 1911, Page 10

TEACHERS' CERTIFICATES.

NEW TEST SUGGESTED.. "An important question discussed at ono of the conferences last year," remarks the Principal of tho Teachers' Training College in his annual report to the Wellington Education Board, "'wast the substitution of an examination, held in the college for tho examination in January in determination of qualification for tho teacher's certificate. Tho, fitness of tho candidate would be determined by these factors:—(l) The record of his work throughout the year as shown bv results gained in periodical examinations, and (2) ability to meet such tests—oral, practical, and written, as were given at the close of the year, and tho work done during the year—such tests to be conducted by the Education Departmnt. Of the advantages of such a chaneo it is Tiardly necessary to speak. Besides affording a. more accurate estimato of tho candidate's fitness, it would have a very beneficial effect on tho wliolo of the college work throughout the year. A scheme could be devised whereby the Training Colleee course would lead naturally to a certificate of the rank of tho present C, or in the case of those who could not reach this standard to one of the rank of 1). A course such as the following would meet the requirements of tho teacher's CI certificate:— "I.—The admission requirements, the standard for which should be at least as high as tho matriculation standard, and should include all tho non-technical subjects- in Group I (present regulations), with the Substitution of history for physiology. It is a deplorable fact that not a. few students, ' in proparation for teaching, have no knowledge whatever of history. "lI.—A course of science, not less than four hours each week, spread over two years, including physiography, botany, zoology, anil agriculture—half the. time to to be devoted to practical, work. . "lII.—A two-years' course in English or in another laneuase. "IV.—Education: Methods, principles, and history. "V.—Drawing, music, handwork, hygiene. "University courses in science could be substituted tor the collegc course. Such would be a course whose aim would be to equip teachers for ordinary positions in primnrv schools. It would bo elastic enough' to allow of variations to suit the needs of those who wished to. specialise in any one department of primary school work—though in our present circum-. stances specialisation to any great extent is inadvisable."