ENGLISH “WEAK”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29503, 3 May 1961, Page 17

ENGLISH “WEAK”

School Cert. Scripts IN Z Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 2. An examination of School Certificate scripts showed that not more than a third of the candidates were anything like “good” at English. said Mr J. R. McClure, senior lecturer in English at Auckland Teachers’ College in submissions to the Commission on Education in Auckland today. About one-sixth of the candidates were “very weak indeed” and one sixth “barely literate.” Many pupils could not read satisfactorily at all and had little power of judgment and discrimination.

English in many forms was one of the worst-taught subjects afid teachers’ background and qualifications were barely adequate, he said. Pupils coming to secondary schools today were characterised by considerable ability in expression, written and oral, greater willingness to speak and discuss a wide reading background, but a general weakness in grammar, usage and punctuation, and grave weaknesses in reading ability. “Until English is not only recognised as being the most important subject but is also given materials and equipment on a scale comparable to issues for social studies or science or homecraft, teaching will be greatly hampered,” said Mr McClure.