Page 3 - 1970 News Clippings

EXAM FEE CRITICISED

June 1970 notice” of the new fee, and they More for Markers
Principals of State should also have been given the Mr Hewetson said the
secondary schools in Auckland reason for it. government had also increased
are annoyed at the manner in Many schools have already examiners’ and markers’ fees for
which the Education Department informed pupils the fees would school certificate.
announced a $1 registration fee be $1.50 for each paper; the extra The new registration fee
for each pupil sitting school $1 would come as a shock to was an “administration fee,” he
certificate. many parents, he said. said, and was in keeping with
Principals received a “Out of the Blue” what other examination boards
circular from the department this The principal of West Lake did overseas. It was really to
week announcing the fee. No Girls’ High School, Miss H. M. ensure that the examination
reason for the charge was given. Rhyburn, said she was “upset” at ran successfully from a
The new fee means that the way in which the fee had financial point of view.
pupils sitting school certificate been announced. Chief examiners’ fees had
will now have to pay $1 as well Miss Ryburn said the new been increasing from $50 to $80
as $1.50 for each paper sat. fee came as an even greater for setting a three-hour paper,
At Cabinet Level surprise because the Post Primary and from $40 to $65 for setting a
The Education Department Teachers’ Association had asked two-hour paper.
director of secondary education, the department for a percentage “Plenty of Time”
Mr M. Hewitson, said in of school certificate fees, to cover The check marking rates
Wellington yesterday that the the extra cost of handling fees had been increased from 70c to
decision had been made at and entry forms. This request had $1 for a three-hour paper, and
Cabinet level. been flatly refused by the from 53c to 75cd for a two-hour
The president of the department, and the registration paper.
Auckland Secondary Schools fee had been imposed “out of the There was also an
Principals Association, Mr A. blue,” additional rate for setting
E. E. Clark, said: “Five or six The principal of Auckland multiple choice questions
years ago pupils had to pay Girls’ Grammar School, Miss G. approved by the Education
only $3 for five subjects. Now L. Gardner, said the introduction Department.
it’s gone up to $8.50, which is a of the fee could create a hardship Asked whether he felt that
fairly massive increase.” for some pupils. criticism by Auckland principals
Last time school certificate The principal of Mount of the manner in which the
fees were increased was in June Albert Grammer School, Mr B. announcement had been made
1967 when they went up from $1 H. MacLean, said: “I don’t feel was justified, Mr Hewitson said
to $1.50 a subject. too happy about having to the announcement had been made
Reason Wanted announce the fee.” “in plenty of time” for the school
Mr Clark said pupils should certificate examination in
have received “much more November.