EDUCATIONAL
THE MATRICULATION TEST
DUNEDIN, June 26
During the monthly meeting of tlie Cluthtt branch of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union, a discussion arose concerning secondary .education. Mr J. u. Anderson, principal of the South ULigo High 'School, who is an honorary member of the branch, criticised the present system of secondary education as being academic na Lieu that-i practical. Discussing the general .position of secondary education, Mr Anderson said he was definitely of the opinion, that the hard and fast -academic curriculum was wrong, and that something more elastic and broader was needed. A school in a situation tsueh as the South. Otago High -School occupied had a great opportunity if scope were allowed. The need was definitely present, and in view of the position the apathy of parents, winch was <>-eneral throughout the Dominion. was rather amazing. An education board could not be expected to make any great steps'to alter the system until there was agitation in such a direction from among the parents.. The matriculation examination had attained an entirely wrong domination, Mr Anderson said. Jt was primarily intended as a university entrance examination, and the process by which it had come to he a final test of the whole of secondary education was to he deplored. 'With this examination, as the goal, t1i.31 individual abilities of pupils did not receive sufficient attention, and instead of being developed they were being forced into a mould. Education, life, everything else., must adapt itself to the needs of the times. The following remit was passed, to be forwarded to the provincial executive - .—“That in what is essentially a- primary producing country, the- secondary education system should be released- from its- academic bonds and adapted to allow of more attention being paid to agricultural, mechanical. and commercial aspects.” A motion expressing the desire of the branch to see the school definitely committed to an agricultural curriculum was also passed.
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Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1933, Page 6
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319EDUCATIONAL Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1933, Page 6
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