EDUCATION: ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS. [In continuation of E.-8, 1913.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1914 Session I, E-08

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1914, NEW ZE A L AND.

EDUCATION: ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS. [In continuation of E.-8, 1913.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. EXTRACT FROM THE THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Annual Examinations. The annual examinations were conducted by the Education Department as usual for the various purposes of Junior National Scholarships, Junior and Senior Free Places in secondary schools, district high schools, and technical schools, and teachers' certificates. On behalf of the various Education Boards examinations were conducted for Junior and Senior Board Scholarships and for the First Examination of Pupil-teachers. Also, by arrangement with the Public Service Commissioner, examinations were held for admission to and promotion in the Public Service. The examinations were held from the 19th to the 26th November, and on the 27th and 28th November, 1913, and from the sth to the 20th January, 1914, at fifty-eight centres. The following table shows collectively, in comparison with the preceding year, the number who entered for the various examinations above enumerated, the number present, and the number of absentees :— Number who entered, 1913-14 .. .. .. .. ..9,613 1912-13 .. .. .. .. .. 9,006 Number actually present at examination, 1913-14 .. .. .. 8,305 1912-13 8,031 Number who did not present themselves, 1913-14 .. .. • • 1,308 1912-13 975 It will be noted from the above figures that the number of absentees in the last examination was very much in excess of that for the examination of 1912-13. In fact, 14 per cent, of the candidates who entered did not present themselves for the examination. This high proportion of absentees is attributable to the following causes : — (1.) In the case of Senior Free Place candidates, to the application of a principle by which awards of Senior Free Places are made with the concurrence of the Inspector-General of Schools on the recommendation of the principal of the secondary school attended, or, for district high, schools, of an Inspector of Schools. In such cases the candidate has not been required to attend the examination for which he originally entered.

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(2.) In the case of the Teachers' Examinations, to a somewhat similar provision embodied in the Training College Regulations. (3.) To the usual causes, mainly illness and lack of preparation, the latter being particularly evident in the case of the Public Service Senior candidates, many of whom, being led to enter by various considerations not previously applicable, found themselves finally unprepared to meet the examiner. The number of candidates who actually presented themselves in the examina-tion-room is given below. For the sake of comparison the figures for the previous three years are also given : — Junior National and Education Board Scholarships and mo ~ n - 19H-12. 1912-13. 1913-14. Junior Free Places .. .. .. .. 2,383 2,564 2,934 3,154 Intermediate (Education Board Senior Scholarships, Senior Free Places, First Pupil-teachers) and Public Service Entrance .. .. .. .. .. 2,375 2,563 2,770 2,756 Teachers D and C .. .. .. .. .-. 1,534 1,626 1,753 1,524 Public Service Senior .. .. .. .. 390 518 574 871 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 6,682 7,271 8,031 8,305 The Department's examination for Junior National Scholarships is now used by all the Education Boards of the Dominion for the award of their Junior Scholarships, superseding thus without exception any examination locally conducted in earlier years for this purpose. For the award of their Senior Scholarships Education Boards use the Intermediate Examination as arranged for this purpose, the papers set being the same as those provided for the Public Service Entrance Examination and the terms in each case being determined by the regulations of the several Boards offering Senior Scholarships for competition. Other purposes for which the Intermediate Examination is used with certain modifications to suit a purely qualifying or non-competitive candidature are —(1) The award by examination of Senior Free Places in secondary schools and district high schools ; (2) as an examination for pupil-teachers of the second or third year, and for appointment to pupil-teacher-ships of the second year or to probationerships under the provisions of the Education Amendment Act, 1908 ; and (3) general purposes of educational certificates of this standing. The cost of conducting the Department's examinations was as follows : — Total expenses, including cost of additional clerical services tempo- £ c. d. rarily employed .. .. .. .. .. 6,578 11 1 Less recoveries— Fees paid by candidates for teachers' certificates £ g. d. and others .. .. .. .. 1,843 4 9 Paid by Public Service Commissioner for expense of conducting Public Service Examinations, for which in general no fees are now payable— Public Service Entrance .. .. 751 010 Public Service Senior .. .. 963 19 8 3,558 5 3 £3,020 5 10 No. 2. The Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Sir, — Education Department, Wellington, 23rd July, 1914. I have the honour to present the' following report of the annual examinations conducted by the Department for the various purposes of Junior National and Junior and Senior Education Board Scholarships, of Junior and Senior Free Places in secondary schools, district high schools, and technical schools, and for teachers' certificates ; also of the examinations associated therewith and conducted by arrangement with the Public Service Commissioner for admission to and promotion in the Public Service.

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These examinations fall into three main groups : — (i.) An examination in November or December to determine the grant of Junior Scholarships and Junior Free Places ; (ii.) A main November series for Public Service Entrance, Senior Board Scholarship, and other Intermediate purposes ; and (iii.) A January series (a) for teachers' certificates of Classes D and C, and incidentally to some extent of Class B, and (b) for Public Service Senior qualifications. The examinations were held between the 19th and 26th November, 1913 (Public Service Entrance and Intermediate Examinations), on the 27th and 28th November, 1913 (Junior National Scholarships and Junior Free Places), and between the sth and 20th January, 1914 (Teachers' Certificate and Public Service Senior), at the thirteen towns which are the seats of Education Boards, and at Alexandra, Aratapu, Ashburton, Balclutha, Carterton, Chatham Islands, Dannevirke, Eketahuna, Feilding, Gisborne, Gore, Hamilton, Hastings, Hawera, Kohukohu, Lawrence, Levin, Marton, Masterton, Oamaru, Opotiki, Pahiatua, Palmerston North, Paparoa, Petone, Pukekohe, Rangiora, Reefton, Sacred Heart Convent (Dunedin), Stratford, Taihape, Takaka, Taumarunui, Tauranga, Thames, Waihi, Waimate South, Waipawa, Wairoa, Wanganui Convent, Warkworth, Westport, and Whangarei. There were two centres at both Auckland and Christchurch. The following are the numbers of candidates who entered for the various examinations mentioned above as compared with the numbers of the preceding years : — Number who entered, 1913-14 .. .. .. .. ..9,613 1912-13 .... .. .. .. 9,006 Increase of candidates entered in 1913-14 .. .. .. 607 Number actually present at examination, 1913-14 .. .. .. 8,305 „ " „ 1912-13 .. .. .. 8,031 Increase of candidates present in 1913-14 .. .. .. 274 Number who did not present themselves, 1913-14 .. .. .. 1,308 1912-13 .. .. .. 975 This difference of 1,308 between those who entered for examination and those who actually sat is accounted for partly on the usual grounds, and partly by the operation of a clause in the Regulations for Senior Free Places, introduced in 1908, under which a number of candidates recommended on an accrediting principle therein embodied were exempt from examination, and accordingly did not present themselves. A provision on a somewhat similar principle embodied in 1911 in the Regulations for Training Colleges also accounts for a certain proportion of the number. It will be noted, however, that the number is very much larger than was the case in the previous year. The explanation is to be found in the fact that 18 per cent, of the Public Service Senior candidates failed to present themselves for the examination, as against 7 per cent, in 1.913. This difference is largely due to the newly introduced provision exempting Public Service candidates from the payment of a fee ; many candidates, as a consequence, sent in application forms with no real intention of qualifying, trusting no doubt to be able to read up sufficiently in the last few weeks to obtain pass marks in a minimum of subjects. In the several examinations the following were the numbers present:— Junior National Scholarship and Junior Free Place Examinations. . .. 3,154 Public Service Entrance and allied examinations . . .. 2,756 Public Service Senior Examination . . . . .. . . .. 871 Teachers' Certificate Examinations .. .. .. .. 1,524 The following table gives a comparative statement of the number of candidates examined under the principal groupings during the past six years : — 1908-9. 1909-10. 1910-11. 1911-12. 1912-13. 1913-14. Junior National and Education Board Scholarships and Junior Free Places 1,765, 2,214 2,383 2,564 2,934 3,154 Intermediate (Education Board Senior Scholarships, Senior Free Places, First Pupil - teachers) and Public Service Entrance .. .. 2,158 2.369 2,375 2,563 2,770 2,756 Teachers'D and C .. .. 1,223 1,482 1,534 1,626 1,753 1,524 Public Service Senior .. .. 373 443 390 518 574 871 Totals .. .. 5,519 6,508 6,682 7,271 8,031 8,305 The exceptional increase in the number of candidates sitting for the Public Service Senior Examination (from 574 in 1913 to 871 in 1914) must be credited largely to the benefits held out to officers who succeed in passing this examination ; but it is also to a considerable extent due to a fact already referred'to —namely,' the withdrawal of the provision previously existing whereby a fee of £1 was payable by every entrant.

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For the Teachers' D and C certificates the number entering was very much the same as in the previous year, but the number who actually presented themselves was less —chiefly through the operation of amended provisions requiring candidates in science subjects to furnish before the date of examination satisfactory certificates of practical courses in the various subjects. The step now taken of requiring practical certificates in science subjects has been repeatedly urged upon the Department in the strongest terms by those best qualified to judge, and is quite in line with similar steps of advance elsewhere taken in the same connexion. The immediate result is necessarily more or less in the nature of a check, but of the ultimate benefit there is no reason to entertain any doubt. The slight decrease in the numbers sitting for the .Public Service Entrance and Intermediate group is accounted for mainly by the exclusion of female candidates from the Public Service Entrance Examination, together with the obligation imposed on male candidates in this examination to make a declaration that they were actually desirous of entering the Service during the ensuing year. Hitherto the Public Service Entrance Examination (or, to use an earlier title, the Civil Service Junior Examination) has been freely used by candidates who have merely wished to obtain an examination status of a well-defined and widely recognized character. Such candidates are now excluded from this examination, and the resultant decrease in the number of competitors is clearly evidenced by a comparison of the figures for 1913 and 1914 in the following table, which gives the numbers of those qualifying during the past four years for inclusion in the order-of-merit list as annually published in accordance with statutory provisions : —

* Boys only. The results of the Junior National Scholarship Examination were made known on the 9th January, those of the Public Service Entrance Examination on the 20th January, those of the Public Service Senior Examination on the 18th February, and those of the Teachers' Examination on the 28th February. Of the total number of candidates that sat for the Junior National Scholarship and Junior Free Place Examinations — The number of candidates for scholarships was .. . . . . 1,856 The number who obtained a scholarship qualification was . . .. 919 The number who failed was .. .. .. .. . . .. 937 The number of candidates for free places was .. .. .. .. 1,298 The number who qualified for a free place was. . .. .. . . 689f The number who failed was .. . . .. .. . . . . 609 The highest percentages of marks gained in the various subjects of this examination were as follows : English, 83 ; arithmetic, 100 ; geography, 91 ; general paper, 86 ; drawing, 95. The highest percentage gained by any one candidate on the whole examination was 82. The following are details of candidature in regard to the Public Service Entrance and Intermediate Examinations in their varied applications : — (a.) Total candidates presenting themselves for examination .. .. 2,756 (6.) Candidates under the provisions of the Public Service Act .. .. 819$ (c.) Candidates for Education Board Senior Scholarships . . .. 568 (d.) Candidates included in both (6) and (c) . . . . . . .. 108 (c.) Candidates for First Examination,of Pupil-teachers. . .. .. 32 (/.) Candidates for Senior Free Places only .. .. . . .. 1,256 (g.) Candidates for drawing only .. .. .. .. . . 81 Of the Public Service Senior candidates — The number present at examination was .. .. .. . . 871 The number sitting to complete, having already been partially successful .. 402 The number sitting for the first time . . . . .. .. .. 469 The number who passed the whole examination . . .. . . 198 The number who gained a pass in two or more subjects without completing the whole examination . . . . . . .. .. .. 384 The number who failed . . .. . . .. .. .. 289 f In addition to th , ! 919 above who gained a soholarship qualification, and thereby qualified also for a free place. j Inclusive of 7 candidates for promotion to the Professional Division.

Cam [idates who qualified. Year. Candidates Number obtaining "Credit." examined. Boys. Girls. Total. 910 911 912 913 1,389 1,552 1,708 812* 480 500 717 584 287 373 547 767 873 1,264 584 210 193 370 203

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.The number of candidates who entered for different stages of the Teachers' Certificate Examinations, with their status at the time of entry, is shown in the subjoined table. The total (1,836) includes 51 candidates who entered for both Class C and Class D examinations. The actual number of entrants is therefore 1,785. Of these, 261 were absent from the examination-room.

The following is a summary of the results of the examinations for teachers' certificates : — Completed for Class A. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 B ' 8 C. .. .. .. .. .. ..165 D.. .. .. .. ..266 Completed for all classes .. .. .. .. .. .. 440 Partial pass in Class C . . .. . . .. .. .. 141 D 137 Partial pass in a'i classes . . . . . . .. . . . . 278 Number who passed in a section for Class C .. .'.' .. .. 211 Number who obtained partial success (other than a "partial pass") towards Class D.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..193 Number unsuccessful in improving their status , .. . . .. .. 402 Absentees .. . . .. .. .. . . •'..'■ . . 261 In the above table candidates for more than one class of certificate are reckoned in each of the classes for which they were successful. Attached to the report are lists of the examiners. The examination-papers, with an appendix containing criticisms and suggestions made by the examiners, have been printed separately. In addition to the examinations above referred to, the Department also conducted during the year the customary examinations in scientific and art subjects, and in special technical subjects for the Board of Education, England, and for the City and Guilds of London Institute, which are held in a different part of the year —in May, June, or July. Full particulars of the number of entries for these examinations, the subjects selected by candidates, and the results are set out in detail in the special paper—E.-5 (Manual and Technical Instruction). I have, &c, G-. Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools. List of Examiners. Andrews, W. D., B.A. | Chilton, Charles, M.A., D.Sc, LL.D., Canterbury Bakewell, P. H., M.A., Inspector of Schools. College. Blunt, T. G. R., M.A., Professor, Canterbury Clark, E. H. College. Clere, F. de J. Bossence, C. E., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Cockburn, F. C. J. Boys-Smith, W. L., Miss, Professor, Otago Cotton, C. A., M.Sc, Victoria College. University. Crawford, A., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Brown, J. R., M.A., Professor, Victoria College. Darwin, L. J., M.A., Canterbury College. Browne, R. A. S. Don, J. R., M.A., D.Sc, Inspector of Schools. Buck, P. H., M.D. England, M., Miss. Champtaloup, S. T., M.B, B.Sc, Otago Uni- ! Evans, K. M., Mrs., M.A. versity. i Fleming, T. R., M.A., LL.B., Inspector of Schools. Charters, A. 8., M.A., Inspector of Schools. ■ Foster, T. S., M.A., Christchurch Training College.

Examinations previously passed. I Candidates for Whole or Part of Class C Examination. For Class D ] with the For For Special For Matriculation Completion of j Certificates in Class D. Examination Partial Pass Single of December, for Class D. Subjects. 1912. Totals. Nil Matriculation .. Class E and partial pass for Class E Class D Partial success towards Class D Higher examinations 31 42 2 174 154 457 398 165 7 I 64 14 507 207 9 174 482 94 2 222 10 457 Totals 860 664 66 222 24 1,836

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List of Examinees — continued. Fraser, M. Mackenzie, N. R., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Gibson, E. M., Miss M.A. Merton. G. H., Mrs. Gibson, M. V., Miss, M.A. Morris, W. C. Gilray, T., M.A., Professor, Otago University. Murphy, B. 8., M.A. Gow, J. Gγ., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Neve, F., M.A., LL.B., B.Sc, Technical College, Grossman, J. P., M.A., University College, Auck- Auckland. land. Norris, E. T., M.A. Hardie, C. D., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Park, G. J., 8.C0m., Technical College, ChristHarkness, G. A., M.A., Inspector of Schools. church. Hawcridge, R. Pinder, E., M.A. Hay, W. G., LL.M., Otago University. Pitkethly, G. R. Heaton, F., M.A., B.Sc, Principal, High School, Plummer, G. H., LL.B., Inspector of Schools. Napier. Rawson, G. H., Miss. Herbert, W. H., M.A. Richardson, J. H. Hight, J., M.A., Litt.D., Professor, Canterbury Rowe, T. W., M.A., LL.B. College. Seaward, D. Hilgendorf, F. W., D.Sc, Agricultural College, Simmers, G. A., M.A. Lincoln. Speight, R., M.A.. M.Sc, Canterbury Museum. Howell, J. H., M.A., B.Sc., Technical College, Spragg, S. Christchurch. Strachan, D. A., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Hudson, W. B. Strong, T. 8., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Inglis, J. K. H., M.A., B.Sc, Professor, Otago Stuckey, F. G. A., M.A., Inspector of Schools. University. Thomson, G. M., M.P. Jarman, A., A.R.S.M., Professor, Waihi. Thornton, S. W., F.S.A.A., F.C.I. ' , F.N.Z.A.A. Kalaugher, J. P. Traversi, A. T. Kilroe, F. L., Miss, B.Sc Varney, A. Kirk, H. 8., M.A., Professor, Victoria College. Walton, W., B.A. Lambourne, N. T., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Ward, W. F., M.A., LL.B. La Trobe, W. S, M.A., Technical School, Wei- Watkins, L. F, Mus.B. lington. Wilson, F. P., M.A. Lawrell, M. E.. Miss, M.A. Yon Zedlitz, G. W., M.A., Professor, Victoria Levi, P., M.A. College. McElrea, W., B.E. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,150 copies), £4.

Authority : John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l4.

Price 6d.]