SCHOOL ENTRY AGE

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1932, Page 5

SCHOOL ENTRY AGE

RISE OF A YEAR Teachers Forecast Dire Results (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, May 2. The proposal to raise the minimum age of admission to the Primary Schools from five years to six years, will be the subject of a clause in the I inance Bill which probably will bo introduced into the House of Bep'e* sent.at.ivo9 on Wednesday evening. It was at first thought that au of feet to this recommendation of the National Expenditure Commission could be given by regulation, but it now been reported that legislation s necessary. Opposition to this proposal to raise the school entry age in New Zealand from five to six years is expressed in a lengthy circular. sent to the Mem bors of Parliament and to the Ministry by the Primary Schools Headmasters Association of Auckland. Id summarising the ill effects which, it is contended would result from the change the circular states: “Scientific experiment has conclusively shown hat entry at six years causes retardation. Entrance at five years is one of the factors which has led to superior achievement of New Zealand pupils. The change would indubitably , cause an increase in juvenile deiin 1 queney. It would lower the morale of our youths, and encourage subversive factors, by driving them on to the street. It would intensify facto*. < tending to disintegrate the home and family. It would intensify class distinctions. and lower the standard of literacy.’'

The circular concludes: “It would load to the dismissal of at least 50 f( young school teachers, and would touee the efficiency of instruction by the transfer of teachers ”