DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 81, 5 April 1923, Page 8

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS.

• INCREASE IN POPULARITY. IMPROVED EFFICIENCY. A report on the district high schooli ill the Auckland district was presented to the Education Board to-day by the senior-inspector (Mr. C. \V. Garrard), lie stated that tlie number of district high schools in operation last year was 17. and there were now 22. the new ones being at Ngatea, Te Puke, Pio l'io, .Yarkworth and Morrinsville. In the case of the three last-named schools, their establishment had been sanctioned by the Minister for a period of three months, and their continuance was provisional on the roll keeping up to the required number. The Board would be pleased to learn that the roll number of district high schools is rapidly increasing, fifteen out of seventeen schools established prior to I his year showing an increase of pupils. The number of pupils attending at the end of March quarter. 1022. was 303 boys and 0711 girls, a total of 7li(i. The roll number at present was 510 boys and 532 girls, a total of 1042. The increase during the twelve months is 27(i pupils, or 35 per cent. The inspectors who visited the district high schools, added the report, stated that there was a marked improvement in the work and increased efficiency in the schools. Tn amplifying his report. Mr. Carrard pointed out that more than half the •schools had roll numbers now of 50, while Waihi had 13(5 secondary pupils, and Taumaruniii had shown an increase from 23 to (id. These increases were due to good teaching in some places, and generally to the initiation of a uniformly planned scheme of instruction, nnd to the circularisation of districts with papers showing the valiv» of (he secondary education at c*iese schools. The Board members expressed gratification at the improvement in the district high schools.