EDUCATIONAL MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10002, 20 June 1918, Page 8

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS

A YEAR’S REVIEW

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WELLINGTON BOARD.

The annual report of the Wellington Education Board was presented to the board at yesterday's meeting. The report states that during tho year ten small schools were closed and six were opened, so that at the end of the year there were in operation 251 schools, a decrease of four since the end of 1916. A side school was opened at Seatouu. The following table summarises the average roll and average attendance numbers for the year : Average Roll.

Mean for year... 11,475 10.329 21,804 The number on the roll at the end of the year was 24,360, compared with 23,726 at tho end of, 1916, an increase of 634. The average roll increased by 715 and the average attendance by 981. Tho average attendance was 90.6 per cent, of the average roll for tho year. The regularity of attendance thus improved by 1.4 per cent., and, but for prevalent sickness in the September quarter, would have quite equalled that of 1915 (91 per cent.). The board is of opinion that a legal penalty should bo imposed on the unscrupulous employer who engaged children still below tho standard or age of exemption. TEACHING STAFF. The following were tho numbers of teachers, pupil-teachers, and probationers in the service of the board at the end of the year

The corresponding total for 1915 was 73*2. A comparison of the numbers with those of 1813—tho year preceding the war —shows that the proportion of male teachers (including probationers) has fallen from 32.3 per cent, to 23.9 per cent, of the whole number. Of 40 pupil-teach-ers and probationers appointed since the end of 1917 only 3 were males, two other male applicants being rejected because they were unqualified. The present keen competition of both State departments and commerce tends to divert from the teaching profession tho most capable scholars as they leave our schools. Now. if , it be admitted that the most precious possession of the State —its children —requires for their education the services of the most richly endowed with character and brains, it becomes evident that greater inducements must be offered if; a sufficient supply is to be maintained of young teachers well equipped in both body and mind. Any advance in remuneration certainly should be to a minimum not less than that of entrance to the Civil Service. This point has been stressed in previous reports. The matter is now of extreme urgency.

INSTRUCTION OF TEACHERS. The following wore the arrangements of the year for instruction of teachers:—(l) Week-end classes in preparation for the certificate were held, as in previous years, at Wellington, Masterten, and Pahiatua. (2) Marlborough No Saturday classes were held, but the correspondence course covering the "D" programme was continued. and at the end of the year the usual summer school was held in Blenheim. extending over a period of three weeks. Thirty teachers attended this course. (3) A spring course in elementary agriculture, extending over a fortnight and held Ijy Messrs Gumming and Dixon at Masterten District High School in September, was attended by 46 teachers. Of these, a number attended in order to meet the requirements of the certificate in the subject; others, for general improvement in agriculture ns a school subject. The course was characterised by an earnest spirit of work. Mr Cockayne, of the Agricultural Department, rendered valued assistance in both lecture and field ■work.

TRAINING COLLEGE. Tho following is a brief statement of the statistics of the institution:—The total number of students was 120 (14 men and 106 women), 6 of the men obtained leavo of absence in order to enlist. First year students 64, second year students 56. Students classified—Division A, 114; B, 5; C, 0; D. X. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

The following list shows in detail the subiects of manual and technical instruction undertaken in school classes, and the number of pupils under instruction: Agriculture 1525. botany 39, chemistry 25, cookery and domestic economy 1380. dressmaking 155. handwork 18,962, laundry work 506, needlework 245. physical measurements 929, physical science 103. physiology and first aid 500, swimming and life-saving 1043, woodwork 1504, elementary home ■ science 46, dairy science 15.

The full rural course was undertaken bv 244 pupils at six of the nine district high schools. Tho inspectors record satisfactory progress in tho teaching of elementary agriculture at the primary schools, and the chief instructor finds that the increasing efficiency of the, instruction in the primary school is reflected in a rising standard of work by pupils who undertake the rural course. Two district high school’rural course pupils have just been awarded an agricultural bursarv which entitles them to continue their studies at Lincoln College. Canterbury. The board considers the Minister has acted wisely in thus providing opportunity for advanced study with a view to tho wider application of science to what must always bo tbo leading industry of this country. DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS.

Tho average attendances at tho district high schools for the year 19J7 were: Carterton 43. Eketnhuna 24 Groytown 12, Hutt 27, Levin 43. Masterten 85. Normal 21. Pahiatua 36. Petono 55; total 346. NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

There we,ro current at the end of 1317 29 senior and 89 innior scholarships. On December 31st, 1017. 4 iunior scholarships expired. There were awarded on the results of the November-Decem her examination. 1917. 9 senior and 19 junior scholarships, and, in addition, two agricultural bursaries. BUTBDXNGS. During the year the Seayiew School was removed to a position midway between Seaview and Starbo rough, thus serving the purposes of two districts. Additions were erected at ilaranui and

Dtc- j> Creek; and new buildings, in extension of existing buildings, were provided at Lansdowne (open air), Ohariu, ATndestown, and Pongaroa. Urgent works only have been carried out, bnt the increase of numbers in the vicinity of the city has been such as tq compel the board either to erect permanent buildings, additions, or to make temporary arrangements. Increased accommodation is being provided at Levin and Upper Hutt, and a new school is under construction at Seatoun. Tenders have been called for increased accommodation at Island Bay and Maranui, and the plans of the main Normal School block at Kclburn are in preparation. Increased accommodation must be provided in the immediate future at the following schools: —Borhamporo, Muritai, Eastern Hutt, Masterton West (where a'site has been acquired), Uansdowne, KhandallaU, and Plimmonton. Many works w oro postponed again because of the scarcity of labour and material and the consequent high cost. Such as were undertaken were carried out at greatly increased cost The board trusts that the Kelbnrn Normal School will reach completion this year.

PENANCE. On January Ist, 1917. there -was a net (balance to credit amounting to -E6781 19s 2d. Following is a summary of the receipts and payments for the year:— Receipts. -5183.658 Is Sd; payments, J 8176.102 18s 2d. On December 31st, 1917, the not balance to credit amounted to •214,367 2s 3d, of which sum .£9OOO was on deposit for rebuilding- Thirty-three school committees applied for Government subsidy on local contributions totalling .£1076 lls 3d. This large sum with subsidy has enabled tie libraries to be enlarged in a number of schools, and works of great benefit to the schools to be undertaken on well-considered plans. The board is very anxious that at every school wthere there is any spare ground effort should bo made to beautify and improve. With this purpose in view it has supplied for several years to every school requiring assistance (last year 71), and where a reasonable plan of improvement has been devised, such trees as could be properly planted in prepared ground and protected from injury. At many schools much meritorious work is being done in thus creating surroundings which shall assist to educate by their beauty and. taste. In order to afford increased assistance in Nature study and elementary agriculture. the board has lately engaged a third instructor in agriculture who will spend part of his time in Marlborough.

GENERAL. The board approves the increased capitation allowed for settlers in isolated places. The problem of the education of the Sounds children is, however, not to be finally and effectively met by an increased capitation. As opportunity offered during the course of the year, the board promoted a number of teachers during their absence on’ military.service. Patriotic effort in various forms has engaged tho attention of committees, teaching staffs, and children in nearly the whole of our schools:—(X) The pudding fund of tho Mayoress resulted in the sum of nearly -61000 being raised; (2) for the London children’s raid fund a sum of -6738 15s 3d was willingly contributed, mostly in'small sums; (3) a splendid effort by way of concert by a large choir of children under Mr It. Parker resulted in about -2260 being raised; (4) an exhibitoin of excellent needlework for patriotic purposes was held at the board's offices during the year, and the exhibits afterwards were distributed among various patriotic organisations. The board thanks committees for tho valuable assistance they oontinuo to render in tho local administration of education. It specially commends to their consideration the importance of good living accommodation for such members of its staff ns must reside away from home. This is, indeed, a matter of great importance, ns the certainty of a good home away from home acts to an extant that many fail to realise as an inducement td good tcochers to come and to stay. On tho other hand as certainly the staffing of the school and the education of tho children are iprejudicially affected by unfavourable living conditions, as naturally the best teachers will not enter such districts. Tho board welcomes tho efforts of both teachers and committees, 'through their respective associations, to focus public attention on and to secure those reforms that are at once practicable and urgently required. On the transfer of Mr T. R. Fleming to Dunedin the board recorded its entire satisfaction with the fidelity of his service during an official connection extending over twenty-seven vears, as assistant and chief inspector under the board, and as senior inspector under the Education Department. The board extended a very cordial welcome to his successor, Mr F. IT. Rakewell. The board records its appreciation of

the loyal services willingly rendered by its teaching and office staff in circumstances o£ real difficulty arising'from the war. Its calls on their goodwill have been many, and the response has been admirable.

Quarter. Bove. Girls. Total. March 12.325 11,107 23.523 J une 12.566 11.415 23,981 September 12.678 11,499 24,177 December 12.53B 11,717 24,553 Mean for year... 12,601 11,457 24,058 Average Attendance. Quarter. Bovs. Girls. Total. March 11.465 10,389 21,854 June 11.394 10,222 21,615 September 11.293 10,088 21,381 December 11,750 10.616 22,366

Men. Women. Totals Heads of schools ... 82 13 95 Sole teachers 22 135 157 Assistants 50 322 37^ Total adults ... 154 470 624 Pupil-teachers 15 S3 53 169 508 677 Probationers 4 43 47 Total, including pupil-teachers and probaers 173 551 734