EDUCATION: ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS. [In continuation of E.-8, 1917.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1918 Session I-II, E-08

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Session 11. 1918. N X W ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS. [In continuation of E.-8, 1917.]

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

No. 1. EXTRACT FROM THE FORTY-FIRST 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 and Senior National Scholarships, junior and senior free places in secondary schools, district high schools, and technical schools, and teachers' certificates. 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 21st to the 30th November, 1917, and from the sth to the 19th January, 1918, at sixty-seven 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 :— 1916-17. 1917-18. Number who entered .. .. .. .. ..11,858 9,908 Number who actually sat for examination .. .. 10,894 8,829 Number of absentees .. .. .. .. • .. 964 1,079 Reference was made in a previous report to the duplication of examination by candidates for certificates of proficiency and for the special examination for junior free places. By abolishing the special examination the Department last year reduced the entries for the Junior National Scholarship examination to 3,122 (from 4,403 in 1916). Under special arrangement about 450 candidates for junior free places who would have been over fifteen years of age on the Ist December, 1917, and consequently could not gain free places under the regulations on a proficiency pass, were admitted and examined on the scholarship papers. They are included in the 3,122 above mentioned. Attention was also drawn last year to the large number of failures (2,815 out of the 4,403 examined in 1916) in the Junior National Scholarship and Junior Free Place Examinations. In spite of the cutting-out of the special junior free place examination in 1917, the number of failures—l,9l6 —was much too high, although the reduction in the percentage from 64 to 57 indicates that the free-place candidates were responsible for a higher proportion of the failures than were the scholarship candidates. In connection with the Junior National Scholarship Examination of November, 1918, the Department has endeavoured to prevent as far as possible the presentation of unprepared candidates, and the consequent heavy burden of work to the examiners and unnecessary expense to the country. Head teachers are being permitted to present, in general, not more than 10 per cent, of their Sixth Standard

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pupils for the examination, and secondary-school Principals are to take similar steps to ensure the putting-forward of only the best candidates. The special admission of candidates who are too old to qualify for junior free places in the Certificate of Proficiency Examination has again, however, been necessary. The Public Service Commissioner, in accordance with his previous announcement, confined admission to the last Public Service Senior Examination to those candidates who had already some status in the examination and desired to gain a complete pass. Those who failed to complete the examination are being given a last opportunity of doing so in January, 1919. The only other candidates who will be admitted are returned soldiers who have been prevented by their absence from entering for examination earlier. After requiring all the candidates for senior free places in secondary schools and district high schools to come up for examination in November, 1916, the Department returned again, in 1917, to the practice which had previously been in force for some years, of granting senior free places to approved candidates, without special examination, on the recommendation of the Principals of the secondary schools attended by them, or, in the case of district-high-school pupils, of Inspectors of Schools. The suspension of the recommendations for a year provided a test from which the system is seen to have worked satisfactorily in the past, and can be relied to do so again in the future. The numbers of candidates who actually presented themselves in the examination-room are given below. For the sake of comparison the figures for the previous three years are also given. 1914-15. 1915-16. 1916-17. 1917-18. Junior National Scholarships and junior free places .. 3,562 3,973 4,403 3,122 Public Service Entrance, Senior National Scholarships, and Intermediate .. .. .. .. .. 2,739 3,022 3,839 3,315 Teachers D and C .. .. .. .. .. 1,576 1,720 1,941 2,102 Public Service Senior .. .. .. .. 804 675 653 226 Typists' Examination . . . . . . 46 51 50 60 Kindergarten Certificate Examination . . . . .... 8 5 4 London University Examinations .. .. ..... 2 1 1 8,727 9,453 10,894 8,830 Candidates for Senior National Scholarships again had the option of being examined under a programme (scheme A) corresponding to the usual secondaryschool course, or under an alternative one (scheme B) intended to suit candidates who have been taking courses with an agricultural or domestic bias. The regulations were amended in September, 1916, to help scheme B candidates by doubling the maximum marks for laboratory work or outdoor work in field and garden. The numbers of candidates examined under the scheme A programme so far remain much the same from year to year. The standards of qualification for the year, fixed in accordance with the provisions of the Act, were 63| per cent, for juniors and 63 per cent, for seniors. In the case of junior scholarship candidates from, one-teacher schools the standard of qualification was fixed at its lowest limit allowable by regulation —viz., 10 per cent, below the ordinary standard. The value of the services rendered by Inspectors of Schools in connection with the examination of papers and supervision of the annual examinations is estimated at about £1,400. The cost of conducting the examinations was as follows :— Total expenses, including cost of additional clerical services temporarily £ employed, but omitting other salaries .. .. .. .. 5,810 Less recoveries— £ Fees paid by candidates for teachers' certificates and others .. 2,285 Paid by Public Service Commissioner for expense of conducting Public Service Examinations, the fees for which, amounting to £1,336, were credited to him— Public Service Entrance .. .. .. 766 Public Service Senior .. .. .. .. 308 ■ —■ OjOOtt Net expenditure .. .. .. .. £2,451

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No. 2. The DiEECTOR op Education to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Sib, — Education Department, Wellington, 28th June, 1918. I have the honour to present the following report of the annual examinations conducted by the Department for the various purposes of Junior and Senior National Scholarships, of junior and senior free places in secondary schools, district high schools, and technical schools, aud 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. 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 National Scholarship, and senior free place purposes; and (iii.) A January series (a) for teachers' certificates of Classes D and C, and incidentally to some extent of Class B, (b) for Public Service Senior qualifications, and (c) an examination to test the fitness of typists in the Public Service for promotion from the second to the first grade. The examinations were held between the 21st and 28th November, 1917 (Public Service Entrance and Intermediate Examinations), on the 29th and 30th November, 1917 (Junior National Scholarships and junior free places), and between the sth and 19th January, 1918 (Teachers' Certificate, Typists' Examination, and Public Service Senior), at the nine towns which are the seats of Education Boards, and at Alexandra, Aratapu, Ashburton, Auckland Convent, Balclutha, Blenheim, Carterton, Chatham Islands, Christchurch Convent, Collingwood, Coromandel, Dannevirke, Dunedin Convent, Eketahuna, Feilding, Gisborne, Gore, Greymouth, Hamilton, Hastings, Hawera, Hokitika, Kohukohu, Lawrence, Levin, Marton, Masterton, Oamaru, Pahiatua, Palmerston North, Paparoa, Patea, Petone, Pukekohe, Eangiora, Eeefton, Eotorua, Stratford, Taihape, Takaka, Taumarunui, Tauranga, Te Kuiti, Thames, Timaru, Waihi, Waimate, Waipawa, Wairoa, Wanganui Convent, Warkworth, Westport, Whakatane, and Whangarei. There were six centres in Auckland City, and two in Christchurch. The following are the numbers of candidates who entered for the various examinations mentioned above as compared with the numbers of the preceding year : — Number who entered, 1916-17 ... ... ... ... ... 11,858 1917-18 ... ... ... ... ... 9,908 Decrease of candidates entered in 1917-18 ... ... 1,950 Number actually present at examination, 1916-17 ... ... ... 10,894 1917-18 8,829 Decrease of candidates present in 1917-18 ... ... 2,065 Number who did not present themselves, 1916-17 ... ... .. 964 1917-18 1,079 This difference of 1,079 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 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 Eegulations for Training-colleges also accounts for a certain proportion of the number. In the several examinations the following were the numbers present:— Junior National Scholarship Examination ... ... ... ... 3,122 Public Service Entrance and allied examinations ... ... ... 3,315 Public Service Senior Examination ... ... ... ... 226 Teachers' Certificate Examinations ... ... ... ... 2,102 Typists' Examination ... ... ... ... ... ... 60 Other examinations ... ... ... ... ... ... 4

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The following table gives a comparative statement of the number of candidates examined under the principal groupings during the past six years : — 1912-13. 1913-14. 1914-15. 1915-16. 1916-17. 1917-18. Junior National and Education Board Scholarships and junior free places 2,934 3,154 3,562 3,973 4,403 3,122 Public Service Entrance, Senior National Scholarships, and Intermediate ... ... ... 2,770 2,756 2,739 3,022 3,839 3,315 Teachers' D and C ... ... ... 1,753 1,524 1,576 1,720 1,941 2,102 Public Service Senior ... ... 574 871 804 675 653 226 Typists' Examination ... ... 46 51 50 60 Other examinations ... ... ... ... ... 12 8 5 Totals ... ... 8,031 8,305 8,727 9,453 10,894 8,830 An increase took place in 1917-18 in the Teachers' Certificate Examinations (in Class D of 269 and in Class Cof 89). Otherwise the numbers are for the most part smaller than for the year before. In the Public Service Entrance Examination both boys and girls were admitted. In the Public Service Senior Examination the number of candidates dropped substantially. No further opportunity of taking the whole examination will be given, as the Public Service Commissioner proposes to admit next year only those candidates who have already obtained partial success and wish to complete, their examination. The number of candidates in January, 1919, will therefore be still smaller than in 1918. Of the total number of candidates that sat for the Junior National Scholarship Examination— The number of candidates for scholarships was ... ... ... 2,677 The number who obtained a scholarship qualification was ... ... 240 The number who qualified for a free place in the scholarship examination was ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 883 The number who failed was ... ... ... ... ... 1,916 The number of candidates for free places was ... .... ... 445 The number of these who qualified for a free place was ... ... 83 The number of these who failed was ... ... ... ... 362 The highest percentages of marks gained in the various subjects of this examination were as follows: English, 91-6; arithmetic, 100; geography, 82; history and civics, 79; elementary science and nature-study, 87 ; drawing, I, 96; drawing, 11, 98. The highest percentage gained by any one candidate on the whole examination was 88. 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 ... ... 3,315 (b.) Candidates for the Public Service Entrance and Senior National Scholarship tests ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,644 (c.) Candidates for the intermediate tests (senior free places and drawing only) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,671 Of the 678 candidates who sat for the Senior National Scholarship Examination 623 were examined on the Scheme A (General) Course, and 55 on the Scheme B (Eural and Domestic) Course. The numbers of candidates who qualified for scholarships in the two divisions were 119 and 8 respectively. Of the Public Service Senior candidates — The number present at examination was ... ... ... ... 226 The number who passed the whole examination was... ... ... 81 The number who gained a pass in two or more subjects without completing the whole examination was ... ... ... ... 79 The number who failed was ... ... ... ... ... 66

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The number of candidates who entered for the different stages of the Teachers' Certificate Examinations was 2,340. The following table shows the previous status of the candidates who actually sat, and the examinations for which they entered. Some individuals, who sat for two distinct classes of certificate, are necessarily reckoned twice :—

The following is a summary of the results of the examinations for teachers' certificates :— Completed for Class A ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 B ... ... 8 C 104 D 342 Completed for all classes ... ... ... ... ... ... 455 Partial pass for Class D ... ... ... ... ... .... 335 Number who passed in a section for Class C ... ... ... ... 208 Number who obtained partial success (other than a "partial pass") towards Class D ... ... ... ... ... ... 627 Number unsuccessful in improving their status ... ... ... 436 Absentees ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 270 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 examinations in technological subjects for the City and Guilds of London Institute. 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 (Technical Instruction). I have, &c, W. J. Andbbbon, Director of Education.

Examinations previously passed. Candidates for Whole or Part of Class C Examination. For Class D. For Olass D with the Matriculation Examination of December, 1917. Totals. Nil Class E and partial pass for Class B Olass D ... Paroial success towards Class D Partial success towards Class C— (i.) Alone (ii.) With Class D Class C and higher examinations 7 2 81 155 644 3 918 56 45 707 5 81 1,118 120 236 28 44 1 165 236 28 Totals 629 1,609 102 2,340

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Appendix.—List of Examiners. Andrews, W. D., B.A. Lawrell, M. E., Miss, M.A. Aschman, C. T. Loten, E. G. Baker, Elizabeth, Dr., Medical Inspector of Lynskey, M. J., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Schools. McOahon, M., Dr., Medical Inspector of Bakewell, F. H., M.A., Senior Inspector of Schools. Schools. McOaskill, D., B.A. Barltrop, G. W. Macdonald, E. H. 8., Dr., Medical Inspector of Bird, W. W., M.A., Senior Inspector of Schools. Schools. Birss, H. L., Miss. McElrea, W., B.E. Bolton, H. Mcllraith, J. W., M.A., Litt.D., LL.B., InBossence, C. 8., Inspector of Schools. spector of Schools. Brock, W., M.A., Senior Inspector of Schools. McKenzie, N. E., Inspector of Schools. Brown, J., B.Sc.Ag. McLeod, M., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Burdekin, H. McNeil. A., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Clark, E. H. Maitland, D. G., Miss. Clarke, E. B. Mayne, J. 8., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Cornish, H. H., M.A., LL.M. Mills, C. 8., Miss, M.A., B.Sc. Cotton, C. A., Dr., Victoria University College. Milne, James, M.A., Inspector of Schools. Cox, J. T. G., Inspector of Schools, ' Moore, J. A., M.A., B.Sc. Crawford, A., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Morris, William C. Cresswell, T. E., M.A., Inspector of Secondary Morrison, A. F. Schools. Morrison, James. Cumming, C. A. Murphy, 8.E., M.A., LL.B., B.Com. Don, J. E., M.A., D.Sc, Inspector of Schools. Muter, P. Egerton, C. W., M.A., Professor, Auckland Neve, F., M.A., LL.B., B.Sc. University College. Newton, W. H. England, M., Miss. Owen, S. C, M.A., Inspector of Schools. Fleming, T. E., M.A., LL.B., Senior Inspector Paterson, A. G., Dr., Medical Inspector of of Schools. Schools. Garrard, C. W., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Payton, E. W. George, G. Pitcaithly, G., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Gill, T. H., M.A., LL.B. Plummer, G. H., LL.B., Inspector of Schools. Gilray, T., M.A., Professor, Otago University. Priestley, M., Inspector of Schools. Gould, W. H., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Purchase, J. E., M.A. Gow, J. G., M.A., Senior Inspector of Schools. Eawson, G. H., Miss. Gow, W. J. Eedard, C, Mademoiselle. Grant, J., B.A. Eennie, A. D., Miss. Grant, Eitehings. Eobertson, D. E., Miss, M.A. Green, E. S. Eobertson, George. Hadfield, J. W. Eobieson, C. E. 0. Hansen, D. E., M.A., D.Sc. Bobinson, W. F., F.E.G.S. Hardie, 0. D., 8.A., Inspector of Schools. Eobison, G. G. S., M.A. Hardie, M., Miss. Eowe, T. W., M.A. Harkness, G. A., M.A., Senior Inspector of Eowley, E. M., Miss, M.A. Schools. Eudman, E. E., M.A., B.Sc, Acting Inspector Hawcridge, E. of Secondary Schools. Heaton, F., M.A., B.Sc. Simmers, G. A., M.A. Hercus, E. J. D., M.A., B.Sc. Speight, E., M.A., M.Sc, F.G.S., Canterbury Hetherington, J. 1., Miss, B.A. College. Hight, J., M.A., Litt.D., F.E.E.S., Professor, Spragg, S. Canterbury College. Stainton, 1., Mrs. Hogben, G., M.A., F.G.S. Stevenson, A. E., Miss, B.Sc. (Home Science). Howell, J. H., M.A., B.Sc. Stewart, D., Inspector of Schools. Howes, B. A., Miss. Strachan, D., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Hunter, T., M.A., M.Sc, Professor, Victoria Strong, T. 8., M.A., B.Sc, Inspector of Schools. University College. Stuckey, F. G. A., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Hurst-Seagar, S. Thompson, G. E., M.A. Inglis, A., M.A., M.Sc, Inspector of Schools. Timson, Jesse. Inglis, J. K. H , M.A., B.Sc, Professor, Otago Tomlinson, H. 8., M.A. University. Traversi, A. T. Isaac, E. C, Inspector of Manual and Technical Treadwell, C. H. Instruction. Trendall, A. D. Jennings, Mrs. Tuck, F. L. N. Jerram, J. H. Wallace, H. Kalaugher, J. P. Ward, W. F., M.A., LL.B., Victoria University Kirk, H. 8., M.A., Professor, Victoria Uni- College. versity College. Watkin, L. J. Lamb, S. E., B.Sc, A.M., 1.M.E., Auckland Webster, L. J., Miss. University College. Whetcer, E. G., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Lambourne, N. T., M.A., Inspector of Schools. Williams, J. La Trobe, W. S., M.A. Wyllie, A. L., M.A., Inspector of Schools.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,100 copies), £7 10s.

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