SCHOOL TEACHERS’ ANNUAL EXAMINATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2001, 23 July 1880, Page 3

SCHOOL TEACHERS’ ANNUAL EXAMINATION.

[By Telegraph.] [prom OHB OWN COHEEBPONDEN’J.] WELLINGTON, July 23. The report of the Inspector-General of Schools on the annual examination of teachers is just presented. It shows that 597 candidates presented themselves for examination of whom 201 were successful, and 41 partially so. Of the candidates who came up to complete their examination, that is to say, to pass, in some one or more subjects postponed from last year, a very large number is returned as successful (122 out of -146.) Many were teachers who had passed i$ all subjects with the exception of elementary science. The examiner in that subjsct reports that the work done this year is of very good quality indeed, and that most of the candidates show that they have understood what is required of them, and have carefully prepared themselves for examination. Ho is of opinion that many candidates who failed for class D might have passed well in class hi if they had been content to secure lower classification before aiming at higher. By concentration of their attention upon a smaller group of subjects they might' have attained to proficiency in them, so as not only to pass in class E, but to bo prepared also for a more thorough treatment of those subjects as part of the work of future examination for class D. In some cases the failure for class D was not in the optional subjects, but in those which are common to all classes, and their failure was generally so great as to disqualify the candidate even for a lower class. The large number of failures is owing in a great measure to the fact that many persons offer themselves for examination who havo nothing whatever to justify them in supposing that they are fit v;o become teachers, and he remarks —“ A preliminary examination in reading, spelling, and dictation would probably have the effect of greatly reducing the number of candidates. I select the following illustrations of bad spelling from exerciseo written by the candidates for class D;—Kaitif and oatif,nautious, flymn and pholom (for phlegm), verdegrease and ver do grcs, vittlcs, rotiosonatione and rhatosonation (for ratiocination), One candidate for class E in writing a letter as an exercise in composition, says—‘l should like yon to continue your studies os regularaly as possable.’ It is like breaking a fiy on a wh»el to employ all the machinery of examination, supervision, printed papers, &3., for tho purpose of detecting ignorance of this kind in those who aspire to tho work of teaching.” The following are some portions of the answers given to a question, which afforded an opportunity of showing any knowledge the candidates possessed with regard to Milton, the Septennial Act, Glencoe, Laud, the Rump, and tho South Sea Bubble “ Milton was a poet under William tho Fourth ; a very good poet, and was very much liked by his friends.” “ Milton, a great poet, translated the Bible.” “ Milton was a philosopher, who did much to increase our knowledge of the laws of nature, notably gravitation. Milton also wrote ‘ Agonisteo and Sampson,’ was married twice and was not lovable to either of his wives.” "The Septennial Act was passed once in seven years.” "Elected members every five years.” “ Was that Parliament should be closed seven years.” “ Wsa an Act drawn up to prevent any sovereign from keeping the meanest subject in prison without bringing him to a fair trial, so that no more beautiful and perhaps useful lives would be allowed to pine and waste away in damp dungeons,” and so on. Glencoe—"A Scottish chieftain who rose in rebellion againet i tho Protestants, and wanted to havo Presbyterianism established in Scotland.” “Th?y

rose up in tho middle of the night, and began their work of blood.” Archbishop Lind — “ Minister of St. Andrew’s, and who was murdered by Balfour Burleigh, a Royalist general.” “An archbishop, ho did much pood in promoting Puritanism.” “ The Bump socalled from the Whigs and Tories having had quarrels,” "So-called from one of its members.” " Tho South Sea is spoken of in history as being similar to a wat< rapn-t. Ships have been known to meet tnis strange sea bubble, and of course journey upward with it unless it is foreseen, and if so the seamen discharge firearms into it to break or burst it. Ships have been carried many miles overland by it. In fact everything is, as it were, sucked into it.” It would |be easy to multiply instances not leas absurd. Many of the successful candidates passed well in history, as also in other subjects, and gave evidence of great ability and considerable attainments. Tho examiner in arithmetic reports a greater number of candidates for class D did their work in faiily good style, and tho results show an improvement in those obtained last year. But speaking of tho candidates for class E, he says, “A largo proportion possess so very meagre acquaintance with the commonest rules of arithmetic as to make it clear that they ought not to have presented themselves at an examination for classification of teachers.” The examiner in geography says, “ It appears to me that candidates came up in large numbers for class E who can never have the smallest hope of passing.” Tho same examiner complains of tho " lamentable ignorance ” of most of the changes in the seasons, theories of tides, currents and winds, and the construction of maps. Mr Habens agrees with him in thinking that it is not too much to expect that candidates for class D will be able to answer questions which are treated with sufficient fulness in a shilling text book.