SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 106, 7 May 1934, Page 11

SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

'A -'NEW. EXA3EINATIOX ■

ITS VALUE STRESSED

Reference to the institution' of the school certificate, examination, was made by the- Director of Education (M.r.N. T. Lambourne), when addressing the New Zealand Educational Institute Conference today.

"The certificate has been asked for during the-past few years by a considerable number of post-primary schools ■with, the object of providing an alternative to the University Entrance Examination," he said. "The ■University Entrance Examination is designed for a - jSpecific. purpose, ■ and ■ for that purpose must lie regarded as being'in the main very suitable... The syllabus and the prescriptions were drawn up by the university for tne definite purpose of setting a standard of attainment which those wishing to proceed with higher, education must Teach. in certain subjects ..before they enter the university. '■■'.■•■''. ■ "Returns supplied;by the post-prim-ary schools .to, the Department show ■that in 1932, B.per cent, of the boys and 5 per cent, of the girls leaving the secondary schools: 5 per cent, of the boys and 3 ijcr cent, of ■ the girls froni combined schools: 1 percent, of the boys and- no significant percentage of the giils from technical dayschoOls; and 1 per cent. each, of boys and girls from the secondary departments of district high schools, or 4 per cent, of all the boys and 2 per cent, of .all: the girls receiving post-primary education proceed to full-time university education. Fifty per cent, of- the girls took up homo duties; 27 .per cent, of the boys took up farming, and-29 per cent, entered various trades ;ahd industries, shops, and- warehouses-. It was evident, .therefore, that some other examination than the university, entrance or matriculation was required to meet the needs of' a, very large percentage of- the pupils.. . '..- '. . '•■:..- ---.:■ THIRTY-ONE SUBJECTS. "There' are in the present university syllabus 19 subjects, all of ,which are included in. the school certificate examination .'syllabus,.', together with 12 other subjects, namely—technical drawing, economics, bookkeeping,' shorthand and typing, needlework, home craft, technical electricity, heat engines; applied mechanics, plane 'trigonometry, physiology and hygiene, and general biology. English is,'compulsory,'.and a pass in four other subjects is necessary to gain the certificate. The holder of a certificate may, however, add to the five subjects either in. the current or"'in. subsequent years. : The names of the'1 several subjects in which he has passed will be recorded on-the certificated -: : .'- i . ■ : ■ . ■ "During the discussions precedent to the framing of the regulations it -was very' evident that no one desired to imijose another ■ examination on the post-primary pupils.* It was therefore decided to hold the examination conjointlywith the .university at the same time a^ the'preseiit uiiiyersity entrance bxaniina'tion. /•''■' '•*'■'.• :' : ''"■'...; ■ "Candidates must, all take English, and may gain university entrance and the school certificate by selecting from the first' 19 subjects, or they may secure the school certificate alone by selecting froni the whole range of subjects. _ :•• ■•■•". •■'■■ • "The Department is of the opinion that the institution of the certificate will free the post-primary schools from the domination of the university entrance .examination—a domination iinXiosed not' by'the' -university, but by parents and the puttie. ■ ■:. ', : i;'f.T;': A/Hl(jiff STANDAJUX ■'~,. ' "The. standard'''of • the school certificate will be that of the ■university entrance. The certificate will" indicate a degree of mental ability,. aptitude, and diligence, and of general education at least as high, as that of the socalled matriculation;'! lra£*'the pupil will have the opportunity of reaching this standard in subjects in which he is interested ancf for which he > has an .inclination.' 'It remains, therefore, for the principals of post-primary schools to convince parents.and employers that the! possession;of a school, certificate, is evidence of as ' gooi a . general education as that which has.come to be regarded as being indicated by the university entrance. examination. Manjr have already done good work on belialf of.the certificate. . :

"It is only riglit to say that-through-out the preparation of the regulations the .Department had the. willing and wholehearted co-operation of the ViceChancellor, Professor Hunter, and other officers of. the New Zealand University."-; ..'■'.'.