CHANGE ADVOCATED

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 78, 1 March 1929, Page 2

CHANGE ADVOCATED

IN EDUCATION SYSTEM. FITNESS FOR PROFESSIONS. The opinion that the restrictions imposed on boys wishing to qualify for entry to professions were artificial in their nature, inasmuch as they consisted of special subjects embraced in the matriculation examination, when preliminary tests for professional ability should be a separate issue, -was advanced by Mr J. A. Colquhoun, of the staff of the Boys’ High School, last evening. In addressing the Combined Schools’ Committees’ Association, ho described the fundamental principles of vocational fitness, and pointed out what he considered were weaknesses in the present examination system, in addition to prescribing the remedies which should bo applied. “The matriculation examination seems to be a fairly prominent topic of discussion in New Zealand education,’’ commented Mr Colquhoun, “and there is something to commend it. Lately the accrediting system has been approved by the New Zealand University Senate, and incidentally that marks the greatest advance it has made for years. It is almost incredible that "the change has been made so rapidlv. “Personally, I think that the accrediting system is going to be very useful,’’ he added, “but it is not going to be a panacea for all the ills which prevail nor does it mean the abolition of tho matriculation examination for the duller pupils will still be required to undergo the test of proficiency. The advantageous feature, however, lies in the reduction of the number of candidates who will be presented for examination, making the system fairer, for the feats performed by some examiners in marking thousands of papers within a limited period are a physical impossibility.” SPECIAL SUBJECTS. Tho necessity for attaining the desired standard in a special subject in order to gain admittance to certain professions was characterised by Mr Colquhoun as creating artificial restrictions, and it indicated that neither the Education Department nor the University Senate controlled the education system of the country, but that privilege was exercised by the various professional associations which laid down definitely certain subjects as, being required for entry into various professions. In that manner the circle widened, and parental responsibility for tho education policy adopted for the individual child was disregarded. The only remedy which seemed practicable was the establishment of a standard course at recognised secondary schools to determine general fitness to enter a profession without defining qualification in one particlular subject. That involved the abolition of the ordinary preliminary examination and the substitution of an approved general course. Until that was done, teachers and parents were obliged to conform with artificial restrictions which had the effect ,of creating “wateitight compartments. NO ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCE. Wihle the objects of certain professional associations in retaining a high status were laudable, added the speaker, they had a detrimental effect in many instances. Whether agricultural or classical in nature, there was no essential difference in education, and the types should not be diametrically opposed. The secondary schools all offered a wide curriculum, but the artificial part was comprised in the restrictions imposed as stated. Alter a liberal course of education had been completed equivalent to tho matriculation standard, the time would then bo opportune for preliminary professional examinations. Entrance examinations should not be taken at secondary schools. Tho weakness of *the present system lay in the requirement for study in special subjects, concluded Mr Colqulioun.