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Salient. The Newspaper of Victoria University College. Vol. 20, No. 7. August 9, 1956

Letter to the Editor — Varsity Education criticized

Letter to the Editor

Varsity Education criticized

Dear Sir,

Mr. Cegledy's criticism of the present educational system has long been overdue.

It is, I think, lamentably true that emphasis today lies on the outward appearance of scholarship: 70 per cent attendance at lectures, the writing of a set percentage of essays, and so on. This would all be very well if the student learnt more in this way than he could in other ways; but as it stands this rigid, mechanical system makes a mockery of true enquiry and research.

Thanks to this and the limitations of the examination system, the greatest usefulness the university can claim is the churning out of a motley crew of mediocre intellectuals who—at sixpence a dozen—add to the ranks of the mediocre citizens outside, contributing little that they could not have contributed had they never attended the university at all. Often their knowledge is unrelated to the type of work that is demanded of them and what useful knowledge is digested at university comes to an end because there are not the fields for further development in their specialty.

This is a big problem; to some extent an inevitable problem arising out of the transition from the "scholastic" to the "red brick" university. However, if we are to retain the advantages of both, a general review of our objective and how well we are at present advancing towards that objective is urgently needed.

Immediately; inadequate facilities, lack of staff, large classes and personal financial problems present themselves as major barriers to scholastic achievement if we agree that these are real problems let us make our voice heard lest our silence be mistaken for satisfaction with the educational status quo.

And where, should it be known, does our Executive stand on these issues. As leaders of the Students' Association they surely must be capable of giving some positive lead, or are they unwilling to bestir themselves from that chronic inertia so typical of most executives in our country at the present time I wonder . . . does a new broom sweep clean?

I am, etc.,

A. C. Walsh.