ARITHMETIC PAPERS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 176, 20 April 1940, Page 12

ARITHMETIC PAPERS

Criticism Of Marking In Matriculation INVESTIGATION URGED Dominion Special Service. HASTINGS. April 19. Criticism of the marking of the arithmetic papers in the matriculation examination last year wtis expressed by members of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board today, when fears were expressed that confidence would be lost in the examiners or those counting the marks. An investigation into the marking of the papers was urged. The chairman. Air. G. A. Maddison. mentioned a number of cases where on a recount marks had been substantially increased. ’The matter unquestionably called for the striclest investigations, he said, as there was a presumption of either carelessness or incompetence, or both, in the marking of the papers, or carelessness in Ihe notilication of results. "Another feature, too, is that any pupil who seeks revision of the marking of his paper has to pay a fee of £l/1/-. which, however, is not refunded even if the recount is in bis favour.” Mr. Maddison said. The board decided to request the Minister to make an investigation into the position which has been disclosed. "In fact I think that the board might go even further and request an investigation into the whole quest ion of marking-.” said Mr. 11. S, M. Quigley. - ‘A boy or girl might have lost .-in opportunity of entering flit' public service.” The board adopted a resolution urging that tlie extra guinea paid for the remarking of an arithmetic paper be refunded to candidates who were afterward awarded passed. It was further urged that the investigation into tlie marking of papers he made to restore confidence in Ihe examiners and the marking system.