SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 December 1933, Page 12

SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

COMMENT BY- HEADMASTER In presenting his report at. the St. Andrew’s College Speech Day cere- • niony at Christchurch, the headmaster, Mr A. K. Anderson, M.A. referred to the important announcement recently made by the Minister fey- Education that in 1934 there would -'he an examination for the school certificate (reports the “Press”). “Tiie institution of the award of this certificate I, among many principals of schools, Rave long advocated,” said Mr Anderson. “I am certain that this is an educational reform considerably overdue. Tlia intention is, I think, that the university entrance examination will become a conjoint examination. Students desiring to matriculate will sit for the examination with its present prescriptions and stipulations as to subjects —English, one language at least, mathematics, one science. Those not intending to proceed to the university will have a choice not only of the present university entrance subjects in which the Education Department will examine—physiology, general biology, economies, and technical and practical subjects. Since English is the only compulsory subject, it will be realised that a new element in range and flexibility of secondary school subjects will be operating. Tills greater elasticity in the choice of subjects will obviate, the candidature of many boys who are unlit 4'or or do not desire university studies, but who justly hope to show some standard of educational equipment. The certificate should have value as a recommendation to employers. Jn this connection 1 suggest that the certificate should have endorsed on it the subjects in which 'the winner lias qualified. The university will be able to raise the standard .of its entrance examination to ensure an adequate knowledge for matriculation.”