THE EXAMINATION EVIL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1313, 16 December 1911, Page 4

THE EXAMINATION EVIL.

PUPILS SHOULD BE "ACCREDITED." The value of leaving certificates for pupils attending twounary schools waa touched upon In- Misi M'Lean, Principal of tho Girls' tfigh School, at the priiegiving yesterday. "Tiie aim ot the Department," sha pointed out, "is to pass pupils on their own programmes of work, ami to require theui to sit for special examinations. This is undoubtedly the best method—at least for It is only in cases of doubt as to whether the necessary ftandard has been reached that the ordeal of examination lias to bo faced. The system of leaving certificates from secondary schools now being established is also likely to have a good effect. Th?v ore all granted on the work actually 'done. The lowest is the intermediate certificate, which represent? tavo years 1 satisfactory work, and is equivalent to n Junior Civil Service pas;?. The holder of thus is qualified to enter the teaching profession na a probationer. The lower leaving corticate represents three years satisfactory work. This is equivalent to the 1) Certificate, and represents the old matriculation standard. This certificate serve* as an entrance to the Training College, and gives the holder the privileges of two years training (hero. Tho higher leaving certificate represents four years satisfactory work: this is equivalent to the new matriculation standard. Tho suggestion has been made that the holdine of thii certificate should entitle tho holder to a bursary at the university. There is liethins revolutionary in the idea of th« certificate being considered a sufficient proof of fitness for a university training; because the idea has been adopted successfully in many American universities in the system termed 'accrediting.' Oat*ried out in its entirety, thi3 means that schools that have proved to tho satisfnrtion of the university that they are ahla to give its pupils nil adequate preparation for universitv work are given tho privilege of accrediting pupils, the judgment of tho school is accepted as final. This sets aside tho evils of the examination system, relieves strain, and does not interfere ivitli educational ideals of teaching. We are not ready, perhaps, for this yot, but should be thankful for something already in this direction. "Some good results have heen shown in tho drawing classes. Seventeen girls we.ri succosKfnl at tho exhibition of work at tho _ Palmcrston Show, seven of them gaining first prizes. Tho branches of work included: Colonr studies, stoncillinc, pencil studies, needlework design, insect design, seaweed design, and geometrical drawing. "Marjorie Honghton won tho essay prize."