INTERMEDIATE EXAM.

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 108, 10 May 1933, Page 11

INTERMEDIATE EXAM.

AS FREE PLACE TEST

ITS VALUE DISCUSSED

Various aspects of the intermediate examination conducted in secondary schools last year were discussed by Mr. E. Caradus, secondary school inspector, in an address at the annual meeting of the Technical School Teachers' Association today. Mr. Caradus explained the system of marking that had been employed and the steps taken to bring tho marking by the different teachers into conformity "with the Dominion standard. • • •Mr. Caradus subsequently answered questions by delegates, and was accorded a vote of'thanks, on the motion of Mr. R. G. Ridling, director of the Wellington Technical College. Mr. Sidling remarked that Miv Caradus had lucidly explained the manner in which the examination had been conducted, but unfortunately had not explained to the conference why the examination had been held or /what ,value it had been to the Department. The examination was the subject of a remit from the Christchurch branch, which moved: ''/That this -conference place on record its opinion that the holding of the compulsory Government examination for senior free places in Technical High Schools was 3, disadvantage rather than an advantage to the education of boys and-girls." INCENTIVE TO PUPILS. Mr. H. H. Skelton (New-Plymoutk) said that his branch favoured the. examination because it provided an incentive to'the..pupils to work. Mr. H. A. Jones (Auckland) said that the conference might alter its opinion of the examination if it had some information from the Government as to the value of the test. -T :„. Mr. Eidling. pointed out that the -purpose of education was not to fit a pupil for passing examinations, but for earning a livelihood. . ~ EFFECT OF WAR. Mr. W. Eraser (Hamilton) raised a point which had not previously been mentioned when he said that most of the pupils> who-sat for the examination last year, were" born during the war period. Many of them were highly-strung and the examination was an imposition upon them. ' The remit was approved. Messrs. L. J. Wild (Eeilding),,W. Fraser (Hamilton), and K. G. Eidling (Wellington) were appointed to summarise the attitude of the conference towards the examination and to report to the conference as soon as possible.