The Daily News THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3. THE EDUCATION REPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 214, 3 September 1908, Page 2

The Daily News THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3. THE EDUCATION REPORT.

Accorumg lo Hie Lauc.iUoa import the average number ul children attending suite schools iluuug the year was i'ZU,020, a decrease ot Ji}32 compared with Hie previous year. this decrease is put down to tue prevalence of epidemics throughout tile year all over the Dominion. The expenditure; on buildings was iOi.JUO, and on teaeliers salaries ;C4S4,UUO. Jt is grati,ymg to note that the increase in diaries of late years has resulted in an increase in .the number of mule teachers. The ratio of male to female teachers in 11)02 was one to 4.22, whereas last year it was one to 2.77. The number oi' uncertificated teachers is still unduly large, as there are 243 C certificated teachers to 545 unceriilicatcd. Secondary education seems not as much in demand as the first-class provisions made warrant. The total number of pupils last year in district high schools wis 2452, a decrease of W> p„p H s. This is optimistically explained by the Department to ba due to increased facilities for higher education in other directions and to the higher standard now demanded for admission. At. nrst sight the fact that 120,000 children are receiving primary instruction and o-.ilv 2000 secondary education seems alarming, but it is to be remembered that many of those in primary schools are still too young to attend secondary schools and some of them will 'j„ course of time pass on to the higher grade. Still if wo consider that there are aihont 50,001) children bet we™ (he age.s of 13 and 15, it is clear flint «,.-. ■number of those who are receiving sc . eomlary education is very small" fadeed. That only one child in forty of suitable age should be receiving 'anv instruction beyond that required for the sixth standard shows that parents are neglecting the interests of the rising generation.