MATRICULATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11829, 15 May 1924, Page 10

MATRICULATION

ACCREDITING SYSTEM REPORT TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION. THE SENATE’S ATTITUDE. In connection with the proposed accrediting system for Matriculation io secondarj' schools the following report was placed before the annual meeting of tho Secondary Schools Association ol New Zealand yesterday, by the secretary Mr F. M Kenner: "In November 1923, the Board of Studies having before it your association's report and the Senate Committee’s report, investigated the question of accrediting. Thi board agreed to the system of accrediting but made exceptions in tho cuf© of all candidates who desired to enter the professions of law, medicine, engineering or accountancy. Tho board reported to this effect to the Senate. This latter body realising as everyone must have done that these four exceptions above mentioned would hit the whole ocheme, decided to drop the matter. When this announcement was mode per medium of a Press Association tolegram, your secretary immediately sent an urgent communication to the Senate, in which he pointed out the veiv groat importance of the accrediting system as affecting the whole of secondary school education, and urging tho Senate should ie-o;»e;i vhe question and submit it for discussion to representatives Jjrnn tho Semite, the Board of Studies, the Education Department and the Secondary School:* Association. To this the Senate agreed/’ The conference was accordingly held, and it v. as here that the representatives were made aware for tho first time of the Senate Committee’s report of Mny 1923. which, in general. Pore such a striking resemblance to the clauses of tho association’s own report. The secretary made a very strong protest against the senate’s action in not disclosing the reasons why such exceptions had been (m\ade. The association representatives were much handicapped by their position, and although they were prepared to put forward good and sufficient reasons why come form of accrediting in ! liou of matriculation, should bo adopted, the speakers were given to understand that the Senate favoured the accrediting system, but wonted to know what form was proposed. WHY EXCEPTIONS WERE MADE. Air F. M. Renner declared that he failed to see why such exeeiHions had been made, and was informed that Hm British Medical Council and other ki;i-dx-ocl bodies desired a specific examination. It was not considered, however, that these difficulties were insurmountable. "Then,” the report co tunned, "to your representatives' surprise, a strong feeling of hostility became manifested against the whole system of accrediting.” This considerably handicappe l the attack of the association’s representatives. After prolonged discussion tho Director of Education moved (J) "That the conference approves tin general) of tho accrediting system ns defined by the Senate’s Committee of May 1923”; and (2) "That the Senate l>o recommended to approach the Law, Medical, Engineering, Accountancy, and other professional bodies whose present requirements form a barrier to the adnp- ; tion of an approved accrediting system Kvitli a view to .securing the approval of I these bodies to tho adoption of such ac- = crediting system.” Both these resolu- , lions were carried. It was hoped that i both resolutions would be discussed by | the Senate the following day, but the .matter was shelved, eo that now they j had been deferred to the Senate meeting, i either iii November 1924 or Januarv 1925.