THE MATRICULATION EXAMINATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20337, 20 February 1928, Page 2

THE MATRICULATION EXAMINATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,-—I notice that in his report to the High Schools’ Board the rector stated that the new system of marking in the matriculation examination had justified itself, and that it should increasingly deter the more immature candidates from presenting themselves. I would like to know just what the rector means by “ immature.” At the close of the year he expressed the opinion that this examination necessitated feur years of secondary school preparation, yet is it not a fact that third year pupils of the Girls’ High School are sent up for matriculation, and are told that they are expected to pass? They are not merely entered as a preliminary trial in the third year. I noticed also that the master of John M'Glashan College, in his annual report, intimated that the examination was passed by his third year pupils who entered. Tho result of the Boys’ High School demanding four years’ of preparation is that when many boys seek positions in town they are told that they are too old. Many parents, 1 am sure, can bear me out in this statement. It would 1 settle the perplexity of many parents with children at both Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools if our educationists would tell us if matriculation should require a . three or four years’ period of preparation at secondary school. —I am, etc., Parent.