ENTRANCE TO UNIVERSITY

Southland Times, Issue 24339, 21 January 1941, Page 4

ENTRANCE TO UNIVERSITY

Accrediting Scheme Approved PROBLEM OF EXTRA FINANCE (United Press Association? AUCKLAND, January 20. A system of accrediting based on, and differing generally very little from, that formerly put forward by the university was adopted by the Senate of the University of New Zealand. Four members of the senate voted against the proposal. The matter was referred to the executive committee of the senate to approach the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, about the finance involved. It was pointed out that the system would not come into force immediately, but it was hoped to have the draft legislation before the senate at its next annual meeting. The main points of the proposal are that entrance to the university may be by way of accrediting by approved schools after at least four years of satisfactory post-primary education. No school will be placed on the list without the consent of the governing body and an entrance examination will be held for those who have not been accredited and who attain the age of 16 years not later than December 21 of the year in which the examination is taken. As the basis of the accrediting system there is to be a suitable cumulative school record card, and provision is made for the appointment of at. least one liaison officer by each university college to report and advise on accrediting as it affects both the university and the schools. The scheme will not be brought into operation until all these conditions have been fulfilled. SPECIALIZED TRAINING Further recommendations attached to the scheme are provisions as early as possible for further specialized training for post-primary teachers, and for grants for students intending to proceed to this work. Where conditions are favourable it is considered desirable for co-operation on an honorary basis between post-primary and university teachers, while emphasis is laid on the need for strengthening the inspectorate of the post-primary schools by the appointment of additional specialists. It was stated in the committee’s report on the proposal that advice that accrediting would be accepted for candidates taking courses for professional qualifications had been received from the Institute of Architects, the Society of Accountants, the Engineers’ Registration Board and the Dental Council of New Zealand. The Medical Council of New Zealand, however, was opposed to accrediting, while no reply had yet been received from the General Medical Council. The Minister of Education, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, had been advised of the estimated costs to the university of the introduction of the scheme and had replied that he was having the question investigated. “I realize that the matriculation test has its weaknesses,” said the chancellor of the university, the Hon. J. A. Hanan, “but I have not yet been able to find a scheme that is free from weaknesses as a substitute. When you have accepted a school for accrediting you will find it very difficult indeed to remove it from the list. As to finance, I take it that it will involve increases in expenditure of about £6OOO to £7OOO. I do not know that the Minister of Finance would undertake to provide this increase.” DR BEEBY’S SUPPORT “I can definitely tell the senate,” said Dr Beeby, Director of Education, “that it would not be wasting its time in considering this scheme, even before getting the support of the Ministei- of Finance. I know he is sympathetic to accrediting, but whether he and his colleagues are willing to pay £6OOO, of course I cannot say.” In outlining his reasons for supporting the scheme, Dr Beeby referred to the effect of matriculation in 'imiting the curriculum of post-primary schools. Sixty-five per cent, of the children attending secondary schools, he said, took this course and many could not hope to carry on to higher education. Doubt was expressed by Dr Beeby of the adequacy of the university entrance examination for selection, which its name implies.