N.Z. UNIVERSITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 January 1941, Page 8

N.Z. UNIVERSITY

ACCREDITING SYSTEM ADOPTED BY SENATE. MAIN POINTS OF PROPOSAL. AUCKLAND. January 20. A system of accrediting based cn and differing generally very little from that formerly put forward by the University was adopted by the Senate of the University of New Zealand today. Four members of the Senate voted against the proposal. The matter was referred to the executive committee of the Senate to approach the Minister of Finance. Mr Nash, with regard to the finance involve!. Il was pointed out that the system would not immediately come into force, but it was hoped io have draft legislation before the Senate at its next annual met ting. The main points of the proposal are that entrance to the university may be by way of accrediting by approved schools after at least four years of sa tisf a c t ory pos t- pr i mary cduca lion. No school will be placed on the list without the consent of the governing body. .An entrance examination will be held for those who have not Ijeen accredited and who attain the age of 16 years not later than December 31 of the year in which the examination is taken. .At basis of accrediting there is to be a suitable cumulative school record card and provision is made for the appointment of at least, one liaison officer by each university college to report on and advise on accrediting as it affects both the university and the schools. The scheme util not bo brought into operation till all there conditions have been fulfilled. Further recommendations attached t<> the scheme are provision as early as possible of further specialised training for post-primary teachers and of grants for students intending to proceed to this work. It is considered desirable that there should be co-opera-tion on an honorary basis between post-primary and university teachers, while stress is laid on the need for strengthening the inspectorate of postprimary schools by ‘lie appointment of add it i one, 1 spec t a lists. It was stated in a committee report on the proposal that advice that accrediting would be accepted for candidates taking courses for professional qualifications had been received from the Institute of Architects, the Society of Accountants. the Engineers’ Registration Board and the Dental Council of New Zealand. The Medical Council of Now Zealand, however, was opposed to accrediting, while no reply had yet been received from the General .Medical Council. The Minister of Education had been advised of the estimated cost to the university of the introduction of the scheme, and had replied that he was having the question investigated. •‘1 realise that the matriculation test has its weaknesses." said the Chancellor, "but I have not yet been able to find a scheme that is free from weaknesses as a substitute. V, lien veil have accepted a school for accrediting you will find it very difficult indeed to remove it from the list. As to finance. I take it that it will involve an mere..sen expenditure <l' about £6OOO to £7OOO. I do mt kn- w that the Minister < f Finance would undertake to provide this increase." "1 can definitely tell the senate." said Dr. Bvcby. Director of Education, "that it would not be west:.::/ its time in considering tins scheme, even before g» tting the . upi.ort of the Minister of Finance. 1 know lie is sympathetic to accrediting, but whether ho and his colleagues are willing to 1 pay £6OOO of course 1 cannot say " In outlining his is :..-0.:.< nr support-, ;:i>> tl'.e scheme. Dr. Beeby referred to the efiect of matriculation in limiting i the curriculum of i'". ~ -p: imarx -chools tendim : ' ' ■ carrv ,‘n"to higher educ.dnm Doubt was expressed by Dr Beeby of me ‘