EXAMINATIONS WHICH KILL INTELLIGENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1926, Page 1

EXAMINATIONS WHICH KILL INTELLIGENCE.

PROF. ARMSTRONG'S ATTACK. LONDON. January 28. At ihe coiifernce of the Science Masters’ Association at King's College lor Women. Kensington, yesterday. MrE. G. Haas (Leeds Grammar School) complained that examiners seem to stress too much tho value of memory and did not give sufficient opportunity for independent thought. “ Nearly every time,” said Mr Laws, “ the candidate with a good memory scores over the bov with the scientific, turn of mind.” Professor 11. E. Armstrong said: I don’t think you are in any way alive to the importance of examinations. They are ruining the intelligence of the country for all practical purposes. I am up against it over and over again. I am a good deal in contact xvitli technical men and know the hind of material sent up from the schools to the universities and out into the world. Under this examination system intelligence is being absolutely sterilised. Cambridge is merely an adjunct to Newmarket. (Laughter.) They are n set of gamblers ancl you arc all sit flier! ug from their addiction to the turf. Until you get rid of that evil you are ruining education and ruining intelligence. You have got to get rid of this infernal higher certificate examination. If you are not very careful the teaching of science will be taken out of your hands by some of the large manufacturers. My son is so dissatisfied with the product of the universities that he lias already instituted an educational system in his works. 11 you don’t begin to teach science very low down to the ground upwards, instead of beginning somewhere up f» the clouds, you will] have it swept out of the schools in a few years.”