MATRICULATION PAPERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17957, 8 December 1932, Page 6

MATRICULATION PAPERS

TIME ALLOWANCE PROBLEM

LOCAL SUPERVISOR’S SOLUTION

DOMINION WIDE UNCERTAINTY

Entrants for the matriculation examination in Gisborne were quick to note the difference in the time allotted in the examination schedule for the algebra section of their mathematics payer, and the period mentioned on the paper itself as the examiners’ allocation for the subject. Their uncertainty was disposed of in short order, however, by the Gisborne supervisor for the examinations, who indicated that three hours would be allowed for the 'completion of the problems.

Dominion-wide interest has been aroused in connection with the error which occurred in connection with the time allowed for the algebra 'paper. The schedtilc for the examination notified students that two hours would be allowed, but on the top of the paper itself appeared a notice that three hours would be given. Most of: the Gisborne students realised at first glance that the paper was a difficult one to complete in the shorter period, and when the supervisor, the Kcv. Janies Aitlcen, was asked for a direction on the subject, he solved the students’ difficulty by awarding the longer term. In this decision, he has since been supported by members of the teaching 'profession, who hold that the paper must have been prepared with a view to a three-hour session.

On the other hand, students at Auckland and some other centres were given only two hours, the direction on the examination paper being disregarded. In the eyes of the Auckland supervisors, the schedule was paramount, and the students were restricted to the two-hour period. An Auckland re-, port indicates that a telegram was received by the supervisors there during Tuesady morning, drawing attention to the difference in the time periods quoted, and advising that supervisors should follow the schedule. There was a flutter of interest this morning among Gisborne candidates for matriculation when they assembled for the geometry 'period, and papers were hurriedly in search of directions which might conflict with those contained in the examination schedule. There was no cause for disquiet, however, and the usual calm prevailed throughout the examination rooms as the two-hour period was entered upon. DISCUSSION AMONG- TEACHERS This year’s matriculation papers have been the subject of general discussion among teachers, one opinion expressed -being that the paper in English grammar was compiled on too high a plane, and, in fact, included reference to subjects not covered by the educational syllabus. The history paper was considered a good one, though the “order of reference” was unusually wide, and other papers disclosed to date have been regarded as of average severity. In this connection, it is interesting to note that the geography paper lias aroused some criticism in the south;, on account of the inclusion of questions relating to astronomy, geology and meteorology. One com--Inon tat or observed, in respect of t his paper, that unless the examiners “plucked” all the candidates, they would have to be satisfied with a most Imperfect and perfunctory performance.