FUTURE TEACHERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23020, 23 April 1938, Page 15

FUTURE TEACHERS

ENTRANCE TO COLLEGE EXAMINATION ABOLISHED RESULTS NOT SATISFACTORY ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER [by TELEGRAPH —rHESS association] WELLINGTON, Friday A decision to abolish the training college entrance examination was announced by the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, to-day. This examination, which normally involved a year's post-matriculation study, has hitherto been tho qualification for admission to the teachers' training college of applicants other than university graduates. "It has been found that the institution of the training college entrance examination has not had altogether satisfactory results," said Mr. Fraser. "It meant as a general rule for all those intending to enter the education service another examination in the year immediately following that in which they* passed the university entrance or school certificate examination.

"The object of this additional year is to afford the student an opportunity, untrammelled by examinations, of reviewing his situation and realising more clearly the line of study he must follow for a full, rich and useful life," continued Mr. Fraser. "It is a year in which he can concentrate on those subjects in which he most delights, a year in which, with little formal instruction by his teachers, he can read widely and think deeply, in short, a year in which he can find himself.

"All this is impossible if the student is faced with another examination to some subjects of which he may have given little attention during his postprimary work. His teachers also find it impossible to guide his studies along the lipes which will tend to secure for him the fullest mental, emotional and physical development possible through his education. "I have therefore decided, after considering a report from my department in which was incorporated the recommendations of the principals of the* four training colleges to abolish the training college entrance examination and substitute as the minimum academic qualification for admission to the training college a pass in either the university entrance or school certificate examination. For the sake of those who have not either of these qualifications, but who have already entered their studies for the training college entrance examination, this examination will be held again this year. >

"It is not intended that this change should ipduce young people to terminate their post-primary education prematurely," added Mr. Fraser. "Other things being equal, preference will naturally be given to those with a higher academic status. "This step is in accordance with the policy of removing examinations which only hinder the normal progress of pupils," explained the Minister. "The proficiency examination has been abolished, giving every child the right to proceed from primary to post-primary education. Similarly, the abolition of the intermediate examination has removed what used to be a barrier in the way of further post-primarv education."