HIGHER EDUCATION

Southland Times, Issue 20116, 1 March 1927, Page 2

HIGHER EDUCATION

EXAMINATION SUCCESSES. DECREASE IN COUNTRY PUPILS. Matters of interest concerning the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, particularly with regard to examination successes and the effect of district high schools on the enrolments were contained in reports dealt with at last night’s meeting of the schools board. Miss M. Samuel, principal of the girls’ I school, reported that the number of new pupils was 71, and the number of 1926 pupils returned was 176, making a total of 247. There was a marked decrease in the number of country pupils from the Riverton and Winton districts. Among the new entrants were many girls who asked for a commercial ( course, this being due in some measure to I the report that probationers and pupil I teachers were finding it difficult to get ; positions. Parents are consequently afraid to enter their girls for the teachers’ course, but the probability was that in a year or two the position would improve. i The report continues: “The examination I results for 1926 were quite satisfactory. One ' girl gained proficiency, two gained junior national scholarships, 55 gained senior free 1 places by recommendation, and nine qualified for extension of junior free places. Fouri teen passed the public service examination, two of them with credit, 28 passed in one ■ or more groups of teacher’s D, whilst two ; passed full D, and 29 passed matriculation ! and seven completed. Matriculation I results were particularly good, as out of a class consisting mainly of third year pupils, |lB out of 20 candidates passed. Fifteen j girls were awarded higher leaving certi- ! ficates, which carry with them bursaries I of £2O per annum for three years.” ! In an analysis of the number of country pupils attending this year with a comparison of those last year, Miss Samuel stated that the total for 1927 was 53 daily and 20 weekly, compared with 106 daily last year and 8 weekly. BOYS’ SCHOOL. Mr T. D. Pearce, rector of the boys’ school, reported that the school roll nowstood at 257, of whom 89 were new pupils. Had the Winton District High School not opened, the enrolment would have been well over 300. There were now only 14 country boys attending the school, the sources of supply having obviously been cut off by Riverton, Winton and Wyndham District High Schools. The following successes were gained by the school at the public exainations in 1926 :—New Zealand University: One University entrance scholarship; four bursaries; two engineering preliminary passes, 24 matriculation; five completed matriculation. Education Department: One senior national scholarship; one junior national scholarship; 12 qualified for junior free place; 16 qualified for senior free place; 14 passed public service entrance; 15 gained higher leaving certificates. Members of the Board expressed gratification at the successes attained by both schools, the opinion being expressed that the standard of teaching was very high. It was decided to send letters of congratulation to the rector and staff of the Boys’ High School, and to J. Dakin, who topped the Dominion list in the University entrance scholarship examination.