Education weighed in survey

Press, 23 April 1979, Page 14

Education weighed in survey

* Parents, pupils, teachers, and employers are being asked by the Christchurch branch of the Educational Standards Association what they think of the education system. The association asks them to indicate on a newspaper coupon their degree of satisfaction with five aspects of education policy. These are: the results of methods used to teach the basic skills in writing, reading and arithmetic; the amount of time spent on revising these basic skills; the standard of pupils behaviour in schools; the results of methods used to teach respect towards people and property; and the training given to student teachers. Mr J. M. Leversedge, the regional co-ordinator of the association, which was formed last October, said the survey results would be made public in about two weeks. Mr Leversedge said he felt the survey would provide a balanced result as it was worded so that everyone could give an opinion. Mr Leversedge said the results would be used as the basis for further action by the association. In the short-term this might mean representations to the Government to do something for children who were below standard at school, such as extra tuition at the week-end. In the long term, the association wanted a re-exam-ination of education practices, he said.