41

E.—lb.

Science, drawing, singing, and drill, have made little progress during the past year. Exceptionally bad attendance has made it impossible for many teachers to overtake all the work of the syllabus; and the less essential subjects, that do not materially affect individual passes, have naturally been neglected. I hope another year to make a more favourable record of these subjects, Needlework has been regularly inspected, and I have in all cases expected that the Government requirements should be systematically carried out. I can report very favourably on the work, but, in several cases, the subject receives too large a part of the school time. In a number of small schools two half-days are given to needlework. This is unnecessary and seriously retards the progress of the girls in other subjects. I have, where necessary, advised that two lessons in the week, of one hour and a quarter, is sufficient. This would give about one-tenth of the school time to the subject. Our pupil-teacher system has assumed such proportions as to demand the best attention of the Board. Of the 84 teachers in this district 30 are pupil-teachers, and several others, having successfully passed through the pupil-teacher's course, are now employed as assistants. The Board has made the most liberal provision for the training and remuneration of these teachers, and I think the results are fairly commensurate with the Board's expenditure. Any pupil-teachers' course is, however, only preparatory to the regular training of teachers at normal schools, and our system must be considered incomplete until successful pupil-teachers are enabled to proceed to a normal school to complete their training and obtain the teacher's certificate. Under existing arrangements the pupil-teacher, on the completion of his course, receives a district license, but a weary term of one or two years' private study must ensue before he can gain his certificate of competency as a master. It is, perhaps, not possible for the Board to provide a college training for all our ex-pupil-teachers, but I think the importance of the subject would fully justify the Board in granting two scholarships annually, of say £50 each, to be competed for by the teachers completing their course; the scholarships to be tenable at the normal schools of Christchurch and Dunedin. Our new schools are fully supplied with furniture and apparatus of the most suitable description, and liberal grants have been made to supply any defects in the furniture of the old established schools ; but I regret to state that sufficient care is not always exercised by teachers and Committees in preserving it in good order. Much of the damage is caused when the schools are used for public meetings and entertainments. In one case that came under my own notice —and which I have reason to believe is not an isolated ease—an entertainment, followed by a dance, was held in the schoolroom. The blackboards were taken out of their frames and placed upon desks for a platform, and were seriously indented and damaged; the maps and diagrams were taken down and packed away without care; the room was so crowded that many of those present were standing on the desks and forms; and after the entertainment the whole of the furniture was unceremoniously put outside in the rain to make room for the dance. lam aware that to prohibit the use of country schoolrooms for meetings and entertainments would be a serious grievance to the residents, but the necessity for exercising the greatest care with the building and furniture cannot be too strongly impressed upon local Committees. Another matter I feel compelled to speak upon is the vexed question of the powers and duties of School Committees as affecting teachers. I have no desire to underrate the value of the work performed, and the influence exercised, by Committees generally. In many districts their labours are invaluable, their influence strengthens the hands of the teacher, and creates an active interest in the cause of education which, in their absence, would be often entirely wanting; but many cases come under my notice of undue interference with the teacher's work. Committees seldom comprehend the requirements and technicalities of the Government syllabus, and often fail to sco that the teacher is not responsible for the course of instruction pursued, They often exercise considerable control over the discipline and organization of the school which may not be injurious, but any interference with the course of instruction must seriously prejudice the teacher's work. I have, &c, HgNKY W. Hammond, The Chairman of the Education Board, South Canterbury. Inspector of Schools.

B-j Authority : George Didsbtiky, G-overnmeut Printer, Wellington.—lBS2.

6—E. Ib.