DUNEDIN TEACHERS’ COMMENT

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 72, 18 December 1937, Page 10

DUNEDIN TEACHERS’ COMMENT

Matriculation Papers

UNFAVOURABLE OPINION OF ARITHMETIC PAPER

Unfavourable opinions concerning the matriculation examination papers, more particularly the one covering arithmetic, which have been uttered by the principals of the main schools in Wellington, were echoed in Dunedin. In general it was held that the arithmetic paper was very difficult, and to some extent the same opinion applied to the algebra and chemistry papers. At the same time, in three quarters it was considered that due allowance would be made by the examiners when the marking of the papers was taking place. Mr. H. P. Kidson, rector of Otago Boys’ High School, said a few of the papers possessed unusual features, some of which were good and some not. The arithmetic paper was unusual, and at least one of the questions was unsatisfactory. It was a pity any paper should be set that was difficult enough to arouse comment. He thought the English paper had been of a very good type. Miss King, principal of tlie Otago Girls’ High School, said (lie arithmetic paper was an endurance tost rather than anything else. It was on (he difficult si'de, it was too long a paper, and it required too much working out.