THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 370, 9 April 1908, Page 4

THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

Examination Methods Modified. Important Now Regulations. [N.Z. Times] Over a hundred thousand children will be interested in this paragraph, for it concerns their school examinations, in connection with which some modifications are to come into operation shortly. The present system of promoting children to higher standards has been by means of the head teacher s recommendation, approved by the visiting inspector. Promotions occurred at different times in different schools, no general rule being observed. The new regulations will introduce uniformity into the system. Teachers will still have the power to make promotions as a result of their observation of the the student’s work at the three specified periodical examinatons, but instead of these occurring at varying times according to the arrangements in vogue in different educational districts, one examination must take place in November or December, and all promotions must date from the succeeding first of January. The right to make individual promotion at an earlier date remains with the teacher, subject to approval by the inspector.

PROFICIENCY certificates

Formerly, the results of teachers’ examinations were only accepted up to and including Sid. V., but the new regulations extend this to include Std. VI., an important matter to those requiring proficiency or competency certificates. These may be issued by the inspector upon the result of the teachers’ examinations and sufficient evidence that the candidate has reached the required standard, or if he examines the candidate at the time of his visit, due notice of this being given. Further, he may, as an alternative, arrange to hold a central examination for proficiency and competency certificate applicants, or — and this constitutes the most important modification ot the old—if the foregoing methods of determining the qualifications of the candidate be found to be impracticable, the inspector may accept in whole or in part, the results of any suitable examination held by the Education Board or other recognised authority, as evidence of the pupil’s fitness to receive a certificate of proficiency.