MATURITY OF MIND

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 116, 20 May 1925, Page 9

MATURITY OF MIND

REQUIRED OF MATRICULATION STUDENTS

ENTRANCE AGE RAISED BY ONE

YEAR

(BI TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCHURCH, lGth May.

The question of matriculation age was thoroughly, discussed at the sitting of the New Zealand University Senate today. Proposals were brought down by a committee to make the age of entrance to the University of a matriculated student Vr years, instead of 16, as at present. The proposal did not affect tbo age at which a candidate may sit tor the examination. If the candidate tor matriculation passed at 14 he would havo to wait until attaining 17. yeara of age before the University would admit him. Professor T. A. Hunter, of Victoria College, in moving the adoption of the recommendation of a committee set up to deal with the question, Baid practically sll who had to deal with matriculated students were impressed witb th» immaturity of mind of many of them. The committee considered that the age should be raised to 17, and that the University scholarship age should be reduced from 19 to 10 years. A satisfactory preliminary grounding of . 30 years ago was not sufficient now upon which to enter a.University college, and boys and girls who matriculated early would be well advised to remain at^a secondary school until 17 years of age. They would then be able to enter intc "University life more fully. Mr. J. Cnughley, Director of Education, in seconding the motion, said that thp new rule would not inteifere with students sitting for matriculation, but they could^ uct, register before 17. The presence of very young people in university classes was to drag the level oi the classes down. Sir Robert Stout etiongly opposed tie proposal, whicli he said would tncouiago more honours and less able men. -The putting into effect of the moticji would be to hinder the middle•elas^ student and help the high-class. Intellects developed at various ages -which no arbitrary age could fix, and there should be absolute freedom in the matter. It would be grossly unfair to hold the brilliant student back. Professor G. E. Thompson said the rrying need was more maturity of mind. The exceptional cases should not be caterea for. Mr. W. J. Morrell said it was advisable that students should not go on to the University very young, but he was of opinion that the Senate should not legislate expressly upon the question.' The average age was 17, and he appealed on. behalf of the clever youths that no arbitrary rule should be fixed. The Hon. J. A. Hanan said the examination was purely a test of mentality. If there wore any fault in regard to the immaturity of mind it was the fault of the examinations, and these should be stiffened up. Sir Lindo Ferguson said it was a, question that should be considered to some extent from the medical point of view. For the ordinary girl it was highly advisable that the strain of university )if e should not be placed upon her until she was at least 17 years of a»e They owed it to the future mothers °oi the race that the strain of university life should not be placed npon girls at a critical age. Professor Segar: "Is it worse thau the school strain?" Sir Lindo Ferguson: "Yes, I think so. - The Hon. Dr. Collins supported the proposal from the physiological point of view. They all knew that tho brilliant boys were not. successes in after life. ' . ' Professor H. W. Segar said-a boy recently-came to the University' at 16 ycajs of age in shorts, and girls came with -long plaits of hair. They were •not able to mix with their fellow students on terms of equality. Students who matriculated late were usually best from the University point of view. Professor A. Wall said that.a Canterbury student who recently returned from Cambridge told him .he- was impressed that the mind of the English University man was more matured thau mat oi the Dominion man Robert Stout: "Do you suggest they are more developed?" Professor Wall: "Yes" Sir^Robert Stout: "Absolute rub Dish: .Mr. Hanan: "Take the record of our Rhodes Scholars." IVfessor J. C. Sperrin Johnson said His experience was that it was inadvisabln for the early matriculated student to stay on at a secondary school. Whit was done there? Practically noHiwg. -With the medical course the ag* w.w-18, so he was not affected, but he doubted the wisdom of making a student wait for some time P\°, fcasor, J- Hi Snk hoped the motion wou d not be -carried-. It was doubtful if ike. University entrance examination _ brought out the Lest students Raising llu, age would entail a heavier burden upon poor people in the maintptiance ol a son or daughter for another. year. Sir Robert Stout: "Hear, h«ar " The Chancellor said the Senate shonld settle tho question. His experience led him to believe thai, the age of mat-rica-lants was too young. There should be a test to prevent immature students "'> going into the University. It would not; mean that the students would be debarred from a University course So •many secondary school students regarded the examination as setting the seal on their secondary school course, and intended to enter mercantile offices After the ..mover had replied, the mo- 1 tion was carried by 11 votes to 7.