PROFICIENCY TEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21618, 10 October 1933, Page 11

PROFICIENCY TEST

QUESTION REGARDING FEE ORDINARY EXAMINATION FREE [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Monday Asked to-day whether he would clear up doubt that appeared to exist in connection with the fee being charged for the proficiency examination this year, the Minister of Education, Hon. R. Masters, said he was at a loss to understand the reason for the statement that a fee of 5s was to be imposed by the Government. "The statement is without foundation in fact," said the Minister. "The position is that no charge will be made in the case of pupils sitting at the ordinary proficiency examinations at the end of the year. The regulations permit a special examination, generally at the end of the first term, to be held for certificates of attainment, and fix n fee of 5s for such special examination. This fee has been charged since 1916. Previously, the fee was £1 if there was only one candidate, but 5s if there were at least four. This fee is paid by candidates, children or adults, who present themselves on odd days throughout the year for examination, and in such cases the charge is not unreasonable. "Parents may rest assured • that in respect to the ordinary examination, no charge is to be made," concluded the Minister.