SEEKING A CHANGE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 99, 20 January 1933, Page 10

SEEKING A CHANGE

University Examinations

DISCUSSED BY SENATE Internal Wherever Possible Although not entirely committing itself, the Senate of the University of New Zealand took the first steps yesterday toward abandoning to a very large extent its external examination system. By this system, which has ruled for so long, students in the higher grades of their subjects sit papers which are set and marked by examiners overseas. The senate discussed external examinations at length, and passed finally by a large majority \a motion approving the principle of the higher examinations being conducted as far as possible internally. A committee will investigate during the year and submit a plan to the next meeting of the senate.

The discussion arose in the first place from a recommendation of the Academic Board that the Senate should approve of a> scheme whereby examinations at Stage 111 and Honours (Arts and Science) would be set, wherever practicable, by New Zealand examiners. Professor J. Rankine Brown said that overseas the whole tendency of recent university development had been to get rid of the system of external examination. At present the situation was that the only universities which had external examination in the sense in which they were now considering it were the University of New Zealand and certain universities in India. It was impossible in New Zealand to have their system on the same basis as the really important universities at Home. The central objects of the university were the teaching of its students and addition to knowledge by research. Those were the vital factors of a university—the examining function Was purely secondary. Professors’ Difficulties.

But the present system, Professor Brown said, under which a professor had to prepare his students to meet examination by someone other than himself might be criticised. “It is difficult for him,” said Professor Brown, “to teach them on the lines which he considers best and on those aspects of the question which lie considers the most important, those which may be leading away from the straight and narrow path to the external examination. That is a very serious objection to the existence of these external examinations. Moreover, examiners on the. other side of the globe can hardly understand the position here. “I believe that if we are free from this incubus we could develop in New Zealand our subjects in the way in which it is right that they should be developed in New Zealand. Every country has, of course, its own peculiarities and its own requirements. Mr. F. A. de la Mare was heartily glad to support a plan for internal examinations. “We don’t trust our professors,” he said; “we never have trusted our professors, and we shall never in the end get the right type of professor. I don’t say we don’t get now the right kind of professor. . . . (Laughter.) We do sometimes get them. But for the real importance which the university has in our midst, the university has much less importance in the eyes of the community than it ought to have. The only way out of our difficulty is to throw the responsibility and trust on our own professors.” Mr. de la Mare described how in the end the system would become entirely satisfactory. Nevertheless, he hoped that nothing would be done to weaken the Imperia) link which bound New Zealand to England.

Dr. H. Ranston’s opinion was that it was of importance to have their teaching checked by outside criticism. If the proposal were carried he felt, too, that a danger of narrowness would exist, and there would not be the same complete impartiality. Mr. F. H. Bakewell considered that the greatest danger of all was the danger of “cram.”. And where the examiners were external that danger always existed. But if the examinations were internal this would not be tbe case, since “cramming” in the same way would not be necessary. Nevertheless, there was. he admitted, much to be said on both sides.,

. Sir Thomas Sidey felt that as there was such a difference of opinion the question should be allowed to stand over for another year.

Dr. Hight’s Views,

Professor J. Hight whole-heartedly supported the proposal, and although he would in certain ways feel a little regret at the change, it was a change, he was sure, which would be altogether in the best interests of the university. The funds which were now devoted to the overseas examiners’ fees might be devoted to the exchange of professors, students, and even of members or ehairmen of councils.

Money hitherto spent on these external examinations might be devoted to the publication of results achieved in New Zealand, he said. Some kind of university press might even be subsidised. and in this way the whole world would know the kind of work being done in New Zealand. “My own experience,” said Professor Hight, “convinces me that the fact that the examination is conducted by professors at Home has very little influence indeed upon the standard actually here in the university.” The Hon. J. A. Hanan. M.L.C.. ProChancellor. hoped that the public would not gain the impression that all professors in New Zealand were in favour of the change proposed. That was not so, he said, for he knew a number of professors who were opposed to it. High Time For Change.

To Mr. H. D. Acland it seemed that if the University of New Zealand after 60 years of existence were not capable of holding its own examinations, or had not the scholars able to conduct them, it was time the university went out of existence. On the staffs of the university colleges, he.said, were men with degrees from universities in many American and European universities, and he considered that there were men among them who were entirely capable of conducting examinations. The decision as to who would be the examiners would in every case rest with the senate.

Mr. C. M. Gilray agreed. It was high time, h said, that the university should conduct its own examinations.

Mr. 11. F. von Haast spoke also ami moved finally the following amendment :—“That the examinations at Stage 111 and Honours (Arts and Science 1 be conducted as far as possible in New Zealand, and that the method of the examinations be referred to the executive committee to work out the details and report to the next meeting of the senate.”

The motion was seconded by Mr. W. J. Morrell, who said that be had been much Impressed by the views of Professor Rankine Brown and of Professor Hight

The amendment was carried with only two dissentients.