SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1020, 10 July 1930, Page 7

SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS

MR. MAHON’S ADDRESS NEW CONFERENCE SET UP “For the very young there should be no examinations.” “We must have some means of ascertaining the effect of our teaching.” These are points from an address on the relation of examinations to education, given by Mr. H. J. D. Mahon, headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, at a meeting; last evening. “Exams.” said Mr. Mahon, “keei) the the pupil -working by making him reach a certain standard by a fixed time. They train his power of getting knowledge, and encourage a certain steadiness of work over a long period. They also have the effect of bringing him into comparison with his fellowpupils and with the pupils of outside schools.”. It might be said, however, that they merely resulted in the reproducing of others’ ideas. Mr. Mahon quoted a number of authorities. One of the main objections to the system was that it dulled the creative mind, but many great men had asserted themselves though they had gone through the examination mill. “Well-conducted examinations have a number of good effects on the teacher,” lie continued. “They cause him to go into his subject thoroughly, and to encourage not only the bright pupils but the backward ones. “The teacher may / however, be disposed to notice the idiosyncracies of the examiner. He may do too much for the pupils, imparting knowledge they should be left to gain for themselves.” A very large proportion of secondary school pupils who sat for matriculation had no intention of going on to the universities. In England the tendency was to replace this examination with the higher leaving certificate. “Some form of consultation between exanainers and teachers should be established,” remarked Mr. Mahon. “There is now no definite standard. The question is left to the examiner, who may mark the papers as severely as if they are from varsity students. “At present the scales seem to be weighed against the literary subjects. The examiner cannot mark them with the same accuracy as he can mathematics and science.” Mr. Mahon considered that sooner or later reference books would be permitted in' the examination room. NEW ORGANISATION FORMED Before Mr. Mahon’s address a new organisation, known as the AucklandEducational Conference, was. formed to replace the Auckland Educational Association. The new body will consist of a conference of all affiliated organisations. Individuals will also have the right of membership. The conference intends to hold meetings for the tnutual exchange of ideas, and to place its decisions before the authorities. It will stimulate the formation of “subject committees.” The meeting, at which delegates from nearly all the Auckland educational institutions were present, elected the following officers: —Chairman. Mr. A. G. Lunn: deputy-chairman. Professor A. B. Fitt; hon. secretary, Dr. E. P. Neale.