SCHOOL CERTIFICATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21794, 8 May 1934, Page 11

SCHOOL CERTIFICATES

NEW EXAMINATION WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS MATRICULATION ALTERNATIVE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON. Monday Tho purpose of the regulations Gazetted last month relating to the school certificate examination was explained by the Director of Education, Mr. N. T. Lambourne, in his address to the conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute to-day. Tho department proposes to hold the examination conjointly with tho New Zealand University for the first time nfe the end of this year. It. was. pointed out by Mr. Lamhourno that pupils would bo able to reach the required standard, equivalent to that of the University Entrance, in subjects in which they were interested, and for which they had a special inclination. The certificate had been asked for during the last few years by a considerable number of postprimary schools with the object of providing an alternative to the University Entrance examination.

Mr. Lambourne said the University Entrance examination Avas designed for n specific purpose and for that purpose must be regarded as being in tho main very suitable. The syllabus and prescriptions were drawn up by the University for tho definite purpose of setting a standard of attainment which those wishing to proceed with higher education must reach m certain subjects before they entered the University.

"Tho returns supplied by post-pri-mary schools to the department show that in 1932 8 per cent of the boys and 5 per cent of the girls leaving secondary schools, 5 per cent of the boys and 3 per cent of the girls from combined schools, 1 per cent of the boys and 110 significant percentage of the girls from technical day schools and 1 per cent each of boys and girls from secondary departments of district high schools, or 4 per cent of all the boys and 2 per cent of all the girls receiving post-primary education, proceed to full-time University education. Fifty per cent of the girls took up home duties, 27 per cent of the boys took up farming and 29 per cent entered various trades and industries, shops and warehouses. It is evident, therefore, that some other examination than the University Entrance or matriculation was required to meet the needs of a very large percentage of jjupils. ' Choice of Subjects

"There are in the present University syllabus 19 subjects, all of which are included in the school certificate examination syllabus, together with 12 other subjects, namely, technical drawing, economics, book-keeping, shorthand and typing, needlework, home-craft, technical electricity, heat engines, applied mechanics, plane trigonometry, physiology and hygiene and general biology. English is compulsory and a pass in four other subjects is necessary to gain the certificate. The holder of a certificate may, however, add to the five subjects, either in tho current or in subsequent years, and the names of the several subjects in which he has passed will be recorded on the certificate.

"During the discussions precedent to the framing of tho regulations, it was very evident, that 110 one desired to impose another examination on post-pri-mary pupils," Mr. Lambourne continued. "It was therefore decided to hold the. examination conjointly with the University at the same time as the present University Entrance examination. Candidates must all take English and may gain the University Entrance and the school certificate by selecting from the first 19 subjects, or they may secure the school certificate alone by selecting from the whole range of subjects. Standard of the Test

"The department is of opinion that the institution of the certificate will free post-primary schools from the domination of the University Entrance examination —a domination imposed not by the University but by the parents and the public. The standard of the school certificate will be that of the University Entrance. The certificate will indicate a degree of mental ability, aptitude and diligence and of general education at least as high as that of the so-ea'lled matriculation, but the pupil will have the opportunity of reaching this standard in the subjects in which he is interested and for which he has an inclination. It remains, therefore, for the principals of the post-pri-mary schools to convince parents and employers' that the possession of a school certificate is evidence of as good a general education as that which has come to be regarded as being indicated by the University Entrance examination."

It was only right to say that throughout the preparation of the regulations the department had the willing and whole-hearted co-operation of tho vicechancellor, Professor Hunter, and other officers of the New Zealand University said Mr. Lambourne.

TEACHERS CONFER THE RATIONING SYSTEM ADVANTAGES APPRECIATED [IJY TKIjKCHAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON. Monday The 51st annual conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute was opened to-day. The Mayor. Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, in welcoming the delegates, said the matters to be considered included the school entrance ace. the proposed abandonment of the original three years course in intermediate schools, the maintenance of the salaries and positions of teachers and superannuation. Referring to the scheme for tho rationing of work among teachers, the Director of Education, Mr. N. L. Lambourne, said: "With tho financial assistance of the Unemployment Board it was found that all unemployed teachers could bo put into positions lor a whole .fear at a salary of £6O a year, plus lodging allowance at £24 a year, where necessary. "Boards are carrying out the scheme well, and so far as the department knows, the boards, head teachers and the great majority of the rationed teachers prefer the scheme to that which was in operation in 1933. The appointment of two or three or more additional assistants to a school has enabled thp head teacher to break up large classes to tho advantage of tho '"'"Continuous employment has meant a great deal to tho rationed teacher, 'who now feels he or she is a recognised member of tho staff of a school. I his opportunity of gaining experience and further professional training is greatly appreciated. . . . "Owing to the training colleges being closed this year, the supply of teachers will not be augmented in February next, and the number not in permanent employment .It\ the beginning of 1930 should be considerably less than m lebruary last." ,