FREE PLACES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2892, 3 October 1916, Page 8

FREE PLACES

REVISION OF REGULATIONS TEST MADE MORE DIFFICULT HIGH SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS The Minister of Education (Hon. J. A. Han'an) has approved of amended regulations for certificates of proficienoy and competency in Standard 6 of our public schools. The purposes of tho amendments, the Minister explains, aro to require a somewhat higher standard of qualification for theso certificates, more especially in English. Under tho conditions it was possible for candidates who were weak in either roading or composition to obtain certificates of proficienoy, and thus to gain sdmission as free pupils into otir secondary schools, though they were not qualified to derive full benefit or real value from the instruction there. Under tho revised regulations, though the total percentage required for a pass is not increased, every successful candidate must qualify in both reading and composition, and must satisfy the inspectors that he can read intelligently, express his thoughts clearly, and write a satisfactory composition on a familiar topic. The Minister is strongly of. Jhe opinion that pupils should he trained in liabits of correct speech as exhibited in' reading aloud, as well as to grasp and express tho thought of the subject matter of the passage read, honce the emphasis to be placed on the valuo of English in the proficiency certificate. The new regulation is as follows:—

A certificate of proficiency shall bo a certificate of eood attainment in the subjects of the Sixth Standard. A certificate of proficiency shall be awarded to a candidate who—

(a) Obtains not less than sixty per eent. of tho possible aggregate of marks in .English and arithmetic together, including not less than fifty per cent, in each of tho snbjccts reading and wmposition respectively, and not less than forty por cent, in arithmetic; and

(b) Has received sufficient instruction in the other subjects as prescribed by theso regulations, and satisfies tho inspector that ho has reached a satisfactory standard of attainment in at least three of tho subjects—(l) gcocraplir, (SVliistory and civics, (3) drawing, (4). handwork, (5). clemontary science.

Provided that in no case shall any such certificates be awarded to a candidate who fails to' give evidence of good intelligence in reading.

' For a certificate of oomuetency in the past tho marks required in English and arithmetic together were only 40 per cent., and the certificate has consequently been frequently referred to as a "certificate of incompetency." It has therefore been decided to increase the percentage of marks required to'so per cent., with 50 per cent, in reading, and including not less than SO per cent, in composition and 30 per cent, in .arithmetic," or not less ■ than 40 per cent, in- composition and 50 per cent, in arithmetic. In addition candidates wust reach a satisfactory standard in at least three, of the subjects, geography, history, handwork, drawing, and elementary scienco. It will thus bo seen that for a certificate of competency'wonkness in only one of the essential subjects will be accepted, and that .then such weakness must be compensated for by corresponding strength in the others. The certificate of competency is to he regarded as the ordinary pass in the Work of tho Sixth Standard, and tho certificate of proficiency as a creditable pass. While Mr. Hnnan is desirous of insisting upon a better oualificatiou for entrance into the secondary schools, he does not wish ito increase the d'ffieulty for those wishing to gain free oTaces in the technical schools, more osp»ciallv in the case of those punils who, though unable to reach the standard for a certificate of proficiency, excel in drawing, handwork, and science. Provision is therefore being made in the case of' thoso who give evidence of special proficiencv in these subjects for an endorsement to that effect on their certificates of competency, with tho view later on of' considering the expediency of accepting the endorsed certificate as a qualifieat'on for entrance to a technical school. This, said Mr.' Hanan, represents a new feature, and goes in-tho direction oF making a 'differentiation between the test or qualification required for fm'e admission to technical schools n"<l that TcuiirM for free admission to high schools. I.fc will tond to give a bias towards technical education. "Speaking generally." remarked Mr. Hanaii, "I recognise that the winning of, the .proficiency certificate which now ribtains is too easy. The requirements for a pass are in , some subjects too low." Many boys and girls who qualify at present for a nroficiency certificate are not capable of returning adequate valuej to the State, nor, on tho other hand, of gaining much good for themselves in secondary school work. The alterations made in regard to free places at high schools may not go so far as some educationists may desire, but there are difficulties in tho way, and tho Minister 'thinks the prudent step under the circumstances is to await tho results under the now regulations.