EXAMINATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 15, 19 January 1933, Page 10

EXAMINATIONS

N.Z. UNIVERSITY

EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL?

DISCUSSED BY SENATE

Considerable discussion took place at tho meeting of the Senate of the New Zealand University to-day on the advantages and disadvantages of certain university examinations being carried out by external examiners. The Academic Board recommended: "That the senate approve of the following scheme for examinations in stage 3 and honours of tho arts and science courses: (a) That the examinations at stage 3 and honours (arts and science) be conducted, as far as possible, in New Zealand; (b) that in cases in which the examinations are conducted locally, the senior teacher in each college in each subject shall be a member of the board of examiners in that subject." TIME FOR CHANGE. Professor Rankine Brown said he thought the time had arrived when the New Zealand University should conduct its' own examinations, particularly in arts and science. The whole tendency of universities now was to get rid of the system of external examinations. He_ thought that the only universities which now had external examiners were some universities in India ' and' the New Zealand University. The American and German universities, of course, conducted their own examinations—an internal system. The essential objects of a university wore to teach its students and to add to knowledge by means' of research. The. examining function of a university was really secondary. The adoption of the external examination system seriously interfered with the functions of the university of New Zealand. A professor in a university which had external ,- examinations could not get away from the fact that the'work of the students would be judged by an outside professor, and in fairness to his students the teacher had to conduct his teaching accordingly. Outside examiners did" not understand the position and conditions here. The first and second stages of the examinations had already been taken away from the external examiners. He submitted that the disadvantages of tho external system were beyond argument. VALUE OP DEGEEES. Mr. F. A. de la Mare said .the crux of the whole matter was that we did not trust our professors. He admitted that in New Zealand there were some good professors, but in the end, under the present system, if it were continued, we would never get the tight type of professor in • our university. Our university had less influence than it ought to have. Anyme who had investigated the matter knew that it was a pretence to say that external examinations raised the value of our degrees in..England. ' Dr. W. Newlands remarked that, wliile he thought no great harm was being done in stages one and two of examination work, he thought it was better to have the later stages of examination work carried out by external examination. Dr. H.- Eanston thought' the British connection was important to our university,, and he said it was good to have teaching checked by outside criti"cism. DELAY IN GETTING BESULTS. Mr. I\ H. Bakewell expressed the opinion that "cramming" was at the root of our trouble in respect to external examinations. If it was necessary to have the endorsement of professors at Home, would it not be better to bring out some of these men and let them- give their endorsement" here? "Cramming" gave false values to education; and he thought the only cure was to have as examiner the man who did the teaching. Sir Thomas Sidey said that in view of the difference amongst members of the_ Senate it would be better to allow decision on this matter to stand over for another year. Dr. J.. Hight heartily supported, the recommendation 'of the Academic Board on the matter. A good deal was made of-the statement that we must have new ideas imported into this country and that we must keep in touch with modern thought and methods of universities in other countries; but that could not.be achieved by external examinations. It could be brought about much better by study,' interchange of professors, occasional visits to other universities, etc. The Hon. J. A. Hanan admitted that the delay in getting results of examinations from Home was a weakness in the present system. He was opposed, however, to the proposal of the Academic Board. - ' Mr. H. D. Acland expressed the opinion that the standard of education being turned out by the University in New Zealand was such that we were able to carry out our own university examinations. . . . After further discussion, Mr. IL P. yon Haast moved, as an amendment, ' 'that the Senate approves of the examinations at stage 3 and honours (arts and science) being conducted as far as possible and as soon as possible in New Zealand; and that it be left to the Executive Committee to work out the details." The amendment was carried on the voices.