SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5268, 30 April 1928, Page 3

SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.

ATTITUDE OF SCHOOLMASTERS.

EXPLANATION BY MR. D. W. PUGH

Mr D. W. Pugh, in “The New Schoolmaster,” explains why schoolmasters are opposed to external exi aminations. These erased in 1890, but in view of the attempt in some quarters to introduce them again Mr Pugh’s observations are to the po'nt. He writes :—

“In 1890 the vicious system of external examinations coupled with payment by results was abandoned, as stated by the Commission, ‘l.n. the interests, equally of the scholars, of the teachers, and of education itself?

“Periodical mass exapiinations will, in the future, as in the past, result in cramming and cause an epidemic of mental indigestion ; for mere cram destroys the intellectual appetite and makes knowledge an object of disgust.

“In the past external examinations were a convenient goad, while the inspector was a ‘speictre’ to the teach-i ers and a veritable ‘bogey man’ to the

scholars;. u “Let us leave the past for a moment to inquire what education under, the present system has achieved. It cannot, 1 think, be disputed that the present system has: “(a) Brought happiness to the child, greatly increased the social amenities of. school life, and practically eliminated truancy.

“(b) Reduced corporal punishment to a minimum.

“(c) Given the chMdien a love for library reading and the eont’nuation school.

“(d) Made provision for the rapid promotion- of the brighter children, alnil enabled consideration to be given to those of lower mentality and delicate hejailtih.

“(e) Raised the standard of intelligence as judged, by the three l’s-—l,nn ■agination. Initiative, and Individuality. “Nowadays inspectors—government and local—are generally welcomed into our schools, and under the. present system their visits usually prove beneficial to all concerned. We wish these happy and helpful relationships to continue. As schoolmasters we are ready and willing to make our contribution to remedy any proved de* fects in the methods and technique of examining.

“We are anxious to i.mpijove these, Where dteficient, in order to assess as accurately as possible both attainment and capacity. All tin's can be achieved by improving, ..where practicable, the present system of inteirnal examinations.

“We certainly are unwilling to sub-i mit voluntarily to the cramping tyranny of external examinations', and \Ve are not ready to co-operate with thq Education authorities, as suggestn ed. in manufacturing manacles wjherewith 1 to fettei; ourselves. We cannot work worthily in chains. We also de-i sire that the minds of the children committed to our care be, unfettered and free to develop naturally.”