SCHOOL PRESCRIPTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1942, Page 3

SCHOOL PRESCRIPTIONS

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

WELLINGTON, May 20. Amendments to school certificate prescriptions in a number of subjects to make them more suitable for the needs of pupils are now being considered by the Department of Education. Advice to this effect was received from the Minister for Education (Mr. Mason) by the Royal Society of New Zealand at its annual meeting. “The prescriptions in science subjects are being widened to meet the needs of those who will receive no further teaching of formal science, and a syllabus in general science is proposed,” said the Minister. “This general syllabus will include biological science.” Dr. W. R. B. Oliver said that to make the general science course effective an examination in the subject would need to be instituted for university entrance. Professor H. W. Segar said that the object of the society in raising the

question was to try to create in the general public a greater appreciation of science, what it had done, what it was doing, and -what it hoped to do in the future. This could not be done by teaching in schools, though it would help. It was really necessary to reach adults. A copy of the proposed general science prescription which the Minister forwarded for suggested amendment was referred to a committee for consideration.