Catholics Have Low Pass Rate

NZSPA Reporter

Dunedin: Students from Roman Catholic schools have a lower initial university pass rate than their counterparts from other schools. This is disclosed in a survey of University of Otago examination figures, which has disquieted Roman Catholic educators.

Between 1959 and 1965 Catholic girls passed 73 per cent of subjects taken in their first year, compared with a non-Catholic rate of 82 per cent.

The pass rate for first-year male students was considerably lower overall. Catholics passed 60 per cent of their subjects, compared with 72 per cent success for non-Catholic students. However, the Catholic rate improved in 1964 and ; 1965 to 67 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, the Catholic Graduates So-ciety. which ran the survey, said in its report that the reason for this seemingly poor Catholic adjustment to university life needed more study. The survey found, however, there was little appreciable disparity at School Certificate and University Entrance level between the two school systems.

The report suggested, however, that the size of classes was perhaps the most pressing problem in diocesan schools.