PROGRESS OF EDUCATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 69, 23 March 1910, Page 3

PROGRESS OF EDUCATION.

+ IN TIIE WELLINGTON DISTRICT. The inspector* to the Wellington Education B<>jid in their annual report, laid before the board yesterday, refer to an incrc!i«c in the number of pupils attending school of 345 on last year'& total. The total number on the roll this yea« j is 17,761, the number present at the intpector's examination 16,970. The average ago is 11 years 4 months. In Catholic schools there were 1344 on the roll, and 1265 present at the inspector's visit. The average age is 11 years 6 months. The increase in the number of pupils oil the roll is. main'y in the preparatory class — a very healthy *ign. For tho first time since 1906 there is a satisfactory increase, in the numbers of Standard VI., while on apparent decrease in Stnndard VII. i? due to tho fact that free-place pupils are now attending Wellington instead of the Terraco and Ncwtown District High Schools a3 formerly. The number of Hihool* in operation during 1909 was 162, the name as in 1908. Four new schools were opened and three closed— the latter being aided schools with roll numbers not exceeding 20 children. ,For purposes of efficiency the schools were clarified as follows:— Good to very good 53, mtisfactory 87, fair 13, inferior 8. Ia «ll but one of tho schools ntsrked inferior changes have been made in the management. Commenting on the report the chairman (Mr Lee) said the principal of the Training College (Mr. Gray) wished to discuts with the board candidly and clearly the work of the college in all its aspects. It was resolved to receive the- repcrts, nnd to inform Mr. Gray that the board would be pleased to hear anything he had to ray about tho coN lege, but that he should bring tho matter forward through the Committee of Advice. 'Ihe board decided to appoint n day for this purpose. THE SCHOOL AGE. The chairman said tho reports showed that the schools were advancing rnpidly. He regretted that boys left tchool too early, as at present a sharp boy could leave school at eleven. beiiiß able to leave on passing ths fifth standard. He would prefer that boys should not be allowed to leave school so early. Am it was, they wero now drifting out* from school as mere children. He also referred to heavy over-crowding of classes, having seen at Brooklyn, for instance, 70 children. If there win an extra call for teacher?, then allowances should bo made. It was absurd to think that a class of 70 could be adequately dealt with. Th© board having accepted the reports, passed to the next business.