BOARD OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9307, 9 March 1889, Page 6

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

rTHE usual meeting of the Board of Education was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. J H Upton (cnairman)!/. W. Carr Goldie, J.' M. Lennox, S. Luke, R. Udy, W. J. Moat, Election of Members.— three sitting members who went out were re-elected— namely, D. Goldie, 135; S. Luke, 130; J. M Lennox, 118. The defeated candidates Professor Thomas, 109; Blades, 25. Tenders fob Painting Schools.—Fresh tenders were ordered to be invited for painting the Wairangi, Driving Creek, and Te Puke schools. The following tenders were considered Dome Valley school: Robert Horsley, £8 6s (accepted); J. J. Woods, £12 17s; Awitu :H. Evans, £9 19s (accepted); J. E. Kelsall, £10. Onehunga : J. E. Kelsall, £9 15a (accepted) W. J. Stokes, £11 10s*; J. G. Blakey, £12 9s ; J. S. Johnston, £18 17s (3d. Chairman's Report.—Tenders : Tenders have been invited for painting and repairing the undernamed school buildings :— I)argaville school and teacher's dwelling Devonport school, Kaukapakapa school, Morrinsville school and teacher's dwelling, Whangarei school and teacher's dwelling. School Fund accounts : Committees of the undermentioned school districts have been again requested to send in for audit their statements of school fund accounts for the year 1888 : Churchill, Kaeo, Kaiwaka, Lake.Mangero, Ohaupo, Ohincmuri, Pamnure, Papakura, Rangiawhia, Rotorua, Kore, WhananakL Teachers: Mr. Chas. Nettleslup, teacher, Pukete school. Probationary pupil teachers have been attached to the following schools: Eitie M. Resitt to Newton hast; Ethel Thompson to Wcllesley-street; Eveline M. Hollow-ay to Napier-street. Inspectors' Annual Reports, 1888.—la- . spector Goodwin forwarded his report on the schools in the southern division of the Auckland Education district. At the beginning of the year 91 schools; three new ones since opened and one closed, lie had examined 88 schools in standards, and presented 56 inspection reports; 15 schools had been specially reported as "unsatisfactory.' He had not had time to visit the Whangamarimo, Waiheke, Karaka, and laupo Bcbools. The following is a summary of examination results —Standard VII: Presented, 27 Standard VI. : Presented, 16S : absent, 13; excepted, 4; failed, 43; passed, 108. Standard V. : Presented, 391; absent, 37; excepted, IS; failed. 164; passed I/-. Standard IV. : Presented, 697; absent, 35; excepted 39; failed, ISO-.passed, 434. Standard 111 • Presented, 902; absent, 60: excepted, 32 ; failed, IS3; passed* 622. Standard II.: I re-, sented, 999; absent, 39; excepted, 4/ ; failed, IS6; passed, 727. Standard I. : Presented, 774; absent, 4*3: excepted, 31; failed, 46; passed, 651; Primers,2l7B. Total presented, 6136; absent, 230 : excepted, l>6; failed, Ml; passed, 2714; mean average of age, 12 years I month. Arithmetic is well taught, but mental arithmetic comparatively neglected, which it should not be considering its importance. There are signs of improvement in grammar and composition, but the latter frequently marred by gross misspelling. Spelling of geographical names sometimes so bad that it would seem scholars seldom see a map, but receive their instruction entirely by ear. Apart from these errors most schools showed a fair knowledge or ceography. The writing is not so good as it was"some years ago. The class subjects as a rule have not received so much attention as he should like, especially drawing, object lessons, and elementary science. .Nothing more could be done in the direction of technical education in the schools than to encourage the teaching of these branches of knowledge. There has been an improvement in drawing, particularly in freehand, due to its being a " pass subject. It is expected that the visits ot Mr. KobinBon, drawing instructor, will do much in country districts to awaken some interest in this matter. In rather more than half the schools elementary science is taught, but, except in a few cases, with only moderate success. Agricultural chemistry would be more generally taken in the country schools, were it not that the teachers are in some doubt as to what is meant by " efficiently taught. There is a decided improvement in the methods pursued by the teachers, and they are now nearly all certificated. On the ■whole fair work is being done ; the scholars behave well, and the discipline of the schools is satisfactory. The school buildings are, generally speaking, in good condition. Mr. W. H. Airey reports on the schools in the central division of the Auckland district. There were 58 schools. He had been unable to visit two half-time schools at Huia and Whakatipu, and the school at New Lynn, opened during the year, was not yet examined. Results of year's examinations were satisfactory. Much of the work shown was of very good quality, and the schools comparativelynnimportantfrora which the results have been wholly or in great part unsatisfactory ._ Writing from dictation is well done in most oi the schools, but spelling indifferent. Copywriting very good, but a marked want of neatness and care in the other written work. In drawing a lack of energy shown. Arithmetic is on the whole satisfactory, but weakness existe in problem work. Better grounding in grammar in Standards lIL and IV. would much assist the teaching of subjects in the higher classes. New Zealand geography in Standard 111. and mathematical 'and physical geography in Standard V. were not often taught to bis complete satisfaction. The amount of elementary science taught and the quality of the teaching varied very much in the different schools. Ihe general treatment of object lessons was one of the least satisfactory in the whole course. In the matter of inspection he had been quite unable to overtake the work ; nine schools were inspected by Mr. O Sullivan before hia appointment, he had since been able only to inspect 20, while 29 remained uninspected, although he had spared no labour to visit as many schools as possible. The order, tone, and discipline of most of the schools were very satisfactory, and the manner and behaviour of the children are creditable to themselves and their teachers. In addition to the schools reported, be had in- ] Bpected and examined the Industrial Schools at Kohimararaa and St. Mary's, Ponsonby, reports on which he had sent to; the department, and the night school, which he had reported on to the Board. The following are the results of examination -.—Standard VII..- Presented, 41. Standard VI.: Presented, 2(jo; absent, ];">; excepted, 18; failed, 42: passed, 190. Standard V. : Presented, 6*77 ; absent, .«; excepted, 50 ; failed, 200; passed, 389. Standard IV.: Presented. 1242; absent, 65; excepted, 95; failed, 244; passed, 83S. Standard III.: Presented, 1756; absent, 98; excepted, 167; failed, 345: passed, 1146. Standard 11. : Presented, 1591 ; absent, 85; excepted, 123; failed, 153; passed, 1230. Standard I.: Presented, 1602; absent, 71; excepted, 99; failed, 160 ; passed, 1272. Primers, 4113. Total presented, 11,287.; absent 372; excepted, 552; failed, 1144; passed, 5085: per centage of failures, 18 - 4; average mean age, 11 years 5 months. Inspector I 1 idler reported on the schools in the Northern division of the Auckland district. There were 104 schools, four of which he had not time to visit, namely, the Great Barrier Island, Long Bay arid Takahue. Five small schools only had been inspected, Waipu Cave, Te Moangi, Waotu, Pukekaroro, Maraetai. Examined in standards 95 schools, and inspected 57, of which 20 were inspected on the day of examination. Following table of results :— Standard VII.: Presented, 7. Standard V 1..: Presented, 95; absent, 6; failed, 34 passed, 55 Standard V.: Presented, 242; absent, 12- excepted, 16; failed, 103; passed, 111. Standard IV, 398; absent, 22; excepted, 29; failed. 111 ; passed, 236. Standard III.: Presented, 533; absent, 42; excepted 47; failed, 152; passed, 292. Standard II.: Presented, 672; absent, 42; excepted, 47 ; failed, 135- passed, 448. Standard I.: Presented, 601- absent, 43; excepted, 3S: failed, 60; passed, 460. Primers 1425. totals, 3973; absent' 167 excepted, 177 failed, 595; passed' 1602; average age, 12 years and three months. , m . Truant Officers Report.— report of Mr. Small, the Truant Officer, was read and received. '„,.,, , . . Alexandra.— Sinden's complaint re alleged expulsion of his children was received Agreed to inform Mr. Smden thai his children were not expelled, but siinph Bent home as a punishment, and that the committee bad so reported. _ Geeerton.— granted to renew blinds tc school buildings. Hbl.ensvixX'E. Application tor enlarge ment of school buildings. Referred to Mr, Kaitaia. — plan of addition t< schoolroom to be made at cost of district. KißiKramoA. —Agreed to give half cost oi painting. ~'.-■*'• Maberetu.—This was an application iron: the Rev. Mr. Tobin for rent of church .build ing used as a school. As the school was es tablished on the condition that the building be given rent free, the Board declined tc accede to the request. Ohaeawai. —Request for a teacher s residence : Deferred. Question as to boundaries referred to Rangiriri School Committee. RuATAKGATA.~Agreed to ask Mr. Mill ington, the donor of the land, to report oi the boundaries. " . . , Te Aroha.—The committee to be askec cost of deepening well. Te Kahu.— 15s granted towards erec tion of shed. . . Tituiangi.— lie, application for paintinj School building, deferred for estimate. Waihi (Ohinemuri).— informatioi to be asked as to distance from nearcs school. , , , Taukanoa.—Mr. Lillington, certificate Dl ■waa appointed to head teachership of Har jngton-streefc public school, at instance o School Committee; appointment to dftfe \ from April 1.