MATRICULATION EXAMINATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1925, Page 3

MATRICULATION EXAMINATIONS.

COMPLAINT REGARDING SUPERVISION. WELLINGTON. December 14. From complaints which have been made by candidates, parents and teachers, it would appear that a good deal id" confusion, which did not conduce to the peace of mind of young candidates unused to examinations, existed at the matriculation examinations conducted hv the New Zealand University, which eoii'.meiiiod on Thursday last. One teacher informed a ■ Dominion” reporter that when the large number of candidates presented themselves there were insufficient papers, mid some ol the candidates had to lend others their papers, while supervisors had to write others out. In s'n llo cases, the teacher declared, wrong papers were issued, and the students worked on these lor about an hour helore the mistake was discovered. “Someone.“ the inlornvint

added. “ did not understand the accountants’ preliminary paper, and confused it with the paper taken by candidates who do not present Themselves for examination in m'athematics. Therefore, the.accountant preliminary students, as well as the science students, were put at a very considerable disadvantage. tvhiili was not counteracted hv the extra time granted by the supervisor at the end. Several ol the students were unnecessarily worried and disturbed, and their state of mind was not improved hv one supervisor addressing a companv of girls in the following terms:—’ Have you no sense in your silly heads ; you'll he hack here again next year.' “ Tt’s about time." the teacher declared, “ that attention was drawn to the bungling which occurs at examinations. I have never sat for an examination yet at which there has not been unnecessary bungling by the supervisors. hut Thursday’s mix-up was the worst I have ever heard of." A REPORT TO BE OBTAINED.

When the above complaint was referred to by the Registrar of the T uiversity. Air Norris slated that complete printed instructions were issued to the supervisors, and lie had personally instructed them in view ol the tael that confusion might exist this year on account of the exemption aliened pupils of seeoiulaiy schools taking extra home science subjects instead of mathematics. He had received a complaint from the principals of one secondary school concerning the supervision at the start of the examinations on Thursday, and had requested the principal to put the complaint in uiiting. This had been done, and the complaint, together with the report he had a.-ked tile chief supervisor (Mr Botliamley) to supply, would Ik* dealt with by 11 to Senate. The complaint regarding the shortage of papers was quite incorrect. 3 here was an ample supply of papers supplied, but contusion occurred through many •*>! the candidates going to the wrong rooms, and working upon the wrong papers. “I quite admit.’’ said the Registrar, “that some supervisors may be lacking in the necessary tact to deal with highly-strung girls who are ill a neivnTis ‘ state, but very ofen irr uh.e is occasioned through stupidity on the part of candidates,”