A LITTLE TOO RIGID.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 August 1924, Page 7

A LITTLE TOO RIGID.

OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM

PROFESSOR ADAMS’S VIEWS

Tn an interview at Dunedin prioir to his departure for the north, Professor Adams said: “i‘hc education system is exceedingly good in New Zealand, lmt it nevertheless seems -.to he a. little too rigid compared with European systems. About thirty years ago the Dominion was always ahead of liritain, hut now, while not behind probably, it appears to be standing in a state tt;f .rigidity, while Britain is moving. In Britain, to take an instance, a system of inspection has been to a large extent substituted for the examination system. The idea now is to concentrate upon tw;o important external examinations; one when the pupil is about sixteen years old, and the other when lie is eighteen years old. It is thought that too frequent examinations are inclined to exercise an undue influence on teaching, especially in secondary schools. The examination at sixteen would he for the leaving certificate, and that at eighteen for Lite matriculation. This would be the final examination for the better class of schools. While there might he a little falling off on the part of some teachers in New Zealand it the examination system were relaxed, he thought, the general result would he good. The usual age for matriculation in England was eighteen, after which came tne .university. The ordinary course would he elementary tc fourteen, and secondary to eighteen.' 1 Professor Adams remarked on the general respect, for spiiitual things, L**wig the terra in its widest sense, that- lie has found in the Dominion. This applied to other things than education, rn which the people showed interest. . '

Speaking of universities, he said that while the problem of university education had been grapoled with exceedingly well he had another “but” tc offer. “In connection with the universities good results are rather overshadowed by the lack of freedom given to professors in connection with the term examinations. The general practice in England is that the nrofessor shall determine the work and shall have his share in estimating the results. To my mind this gives the tutor freedom that with a proper man makes for greater efficiency than can be attained under a hard-and-fast rule.” When asked his opinion regarding the establishment of miner high schools, Professor Adams said that he looked upon the move as a •mod ione, indicating at any rate a spirit r,f dissatisfaction with things as they were, and this spirit was often a healthy sign.