THE INFANT PHENOMENON

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 28, 2 August 1921, Page 11

THE INFANT PHENOMENON

10 the BDrror.

Sir, —Tho examiners for the last No-vember-December examinations complain. Their report complains about the poor standard o£ work in English, arithmetic. New -Zealand history, and New Zealand geography in secondary schools. In view of the criticisms passed, oiks . wonders whether tho examiners have any idea, of the heavy requirements for Junior Frco Place pupils in girls' secondary schools. This criticism does seem hard, for secondary schools never forget the examiner and his examinations. They remember them all tho time, and yet the work does not suit. Perhaps if tho examiner considered the heavy syllabus in history and geography—and in the other, subjects, too —ho might be inclined to sometimes temper his judgment with mercy. Further, as far as intermediate goes, many schools present for this only those who have failed to qualify at school exam.

' Consider the history—only one item' in tho Department's compulsory programme, remember. New Zealand history, the more's the pity, must be taken more or less casually m a.syllabus which requires a knowledge of the wholo Empire, together with civics and elementary economics. And the syllabus is so vague that almost any question can be asked from jam to Genesis. Cannot small girls, then, bo excused for not mastering tho details of Now Zealand history in these trying circumstances ? .

Then, geography. True, special reference to New Zealand and Australia is submitted;. but there is physical and mathematical geogra-phy besides; and the Empire and the rest of tho world too; with here and there a reference to .other parts of the universe, to fill in and make it more. Still, the small girl does not complain, but she is gujlty of ignorance about details of New Zealand and its coach routes, etc. In the general survey, she has overlooked tho coach routes. But if the examiners will kindly indicate which part of the Universe is most important, New Zealand coach routosQor the rest of the world or the Empire, she will endeavour to concentrate moro on that. f

Arithmetic? Often —sho actually appears at- a secondary school unable to use the mere tools—such as the multiplication table, etc. So, in an examination she makes mistakes about the speed of express trains—New Zealand ones, too, we presume. Then, \inlike Mark Tvvain'r, patient man, the examiners complain. Of what? Of the teachers, tho children, or the curriculum ? What do they expect from tho girls' secondary schools? Infant phenomenon ? Wo are sorry to disappoint, For we always above all things want to please the examiner. Perhaps somo clay we shall —when there is more sympathy and understanding for secondary work for girls in ' educational high place*.—l am, etc.,

HOPE DEFERRED.

27th July