THE “MATRIC.” EXAM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 13 February 1929, Page 5

THE “MATRIC.” EXAM

MARLBOROUGH MASTER’S VIEWS ACCREDITING SYSTEM FAVOURED Referring at this week’s meeting of the Board of Governors of Marlborough College, to public examinations—ana particularly, to the matriculation examination —tiie Principal (Mr John Stewart, M.A.) said members had probably noticed in the newspapers that there was a possibility of the matriculation examination being abolished and )i ( system of accrediting pupils being substituted (reports the “Express”). This proposal had been under discussion for a number of years, and be had made a practice each year of estimating the pupils he would have recommended for the University. The results, when contrasted with the matriculation examination, showed that the judgment of the University examiners' had been milder than his own. “The matriculation examination,” said Mr Stewart, “should be purely an entrance examination for the University and not an examination marking exit from the secondary schools with a sort of hall mark."” He said that, as a general rule, a candidate for matriculation, should be a fourth year pupil. This was the average, and if a pupil was not average he should take the examination in liis fifth year. He would not, except for exceptional pupils, recommend third year students to take the examination, as they were not qualified in mental poise and maturity of judgment for a university course. Under the present system, of course, third year pupils could sit if they wished to, but none were entered as school candidates unless in their fourth year. Mr Stewart added that now that the technical buildings at the College were completed, they would be able to give pupils a choice of courses such as academic, or leading to the professions, manual and technical, agricultural, or commercial. They were now endeavouring to adjust the timetable and utilise the staff to give the pupils such courses as they desired. There were difficulties, but he believed that when the scheme was working properly it would be for the benefit of education in Marlborough.