53

E.—lb

One-third of the schools visited were doing very good work; in somewhat more than a third the work was, on the whole, of a satisfactory character; and in the rest the character of the work varied from very mediocre to very poor. Of the causes operating in these last I speak later on. In submitting the above table I must say that I have not " sacrificed to the Moloch, results;" that the standard regulations have been strictly followed; and that no scholar has been allowed to pass who was not likely to overtake with ease the work of the next standard. When children are allowed to pass too easily, not only is it seriously injurious to them to have to cope with work for which they have not been adequately prepared by thoroughness in the groundwork, but it would be a great injustice to teachers of classes were those promoted not well up to the work of the standard passed. I have sought to find what portion of the children's knowledge has become "definite and solid," knowing that the only "results" worth having are those based upon such examination. When the number of important subjects required for a " pass "* is considered, and also the strictness with which this has been granted, and it is seen from the above table that seven out of ten of the children examined for a " pass " in this (southern) district have shown sufficient proficiency to be promoted to a higher standard, it is evident that good work has been done in such subjects in a great number of the schools here reported on. I must point out that many of the schools from which these results have been obtained are country schools, each having a number of classes in charge of one teacher. With regard to the "class" subjects (drawing, history, geography in 11. and IV., elementary science, and object-lessons), I have to report that the geography was on the whole well taught in these standards, and that elementary science (elementary chemistry, physics, physiology) is receiving much more attention than it used to receive some few years ago, and is now being taught successfully in a number of the large schools and not a few of the smaller ones. A number of the teachers have provided simple appliances themselves, and others have obtained apparatus with money raised by entertainments, &c. I have generally found in the schools a science syllabus for the current year, but not the three years' programme required by section 19 of the Department's regulations, and have therefore asked the Board to cause to be issued to those in charge of schools a circular letter drawing attention to this defect. The greater number of the schools visited had an average of under 150 scholars. The Board's resolution that two half-hours each week should be devoted to laws of health is causing the teachers in some schools to neglect the Department's regulation referred to altogether, and in others to pay insufficient attention to it, while in others the Board's resolution is neglected, and the teachers carry out to the best of their ability the Department's regulation. I have pointed out that it is impossible in such schools to carry out the regulation and the resolution—such is the number of subjects already on the syllabus—and have recommended a change in the latter. In a memorandum which I intend to lay before the Board shortly, dealing with the school hours, the home work, and the teaching of elementary science in the town schools, it will be my duty to show that the resolution is producing in them effects similar to those in the smaller schools. In schools, except the half-time ones, where health only has been taken, and the teacher has not endeavoured to carry out the Department's regulation, I have been able to accord very few marks for the teaching of elementary science. I have, however, brought the matter before the Board in my report for 1885. If it is desired that certain subjects should have a more prominent place than is assigned them by the standard regulations, I think it would be well to try to move the Department in the matter, but not to encrust the standard regulations with additions. It is very important that everything should be done to facilitate the proper teaching of the elements of physics, chemistry, physiology, and the Department has made express provision for this, but the resolution referred to is calculated to impede the teaching of the two first named. In some of the schools health is the only elementary science taken up, and in others very little L science beyond it is attempted. There is a decided improvement in the general character of the object-lessons given. I have devoted a good deal of time to inquiring into the character of these lessons, and have frequently given them at visits of inspection. The Inspector's duty is to suggest, exemplify, and explain, as well as to criticise and report. In small schools this duty is most important.

* Beading, writing, arithmetic, spelling, are pass subjects in all standards; grammar and composition in Standards 111. to VI.; geography in 111., V., and VI. ; drawing in I. (In future years drawing will be a pass subject in higher standards.)

Standard Classes. Presented. Absent. Excepted. Failed. Passed. Average Age of those that passed.* 7 ... 6 ... 5... 4... 3... 2 ... 1 ... 21 133 292 577 932 1,068 958 2,121 6 26 40 74 70 72 8 22 35 53 56 45 36 100 147 263 227 138 83 144 355 542 715 703 15-1 13-1 13-8 12-1 10-2 8-9 Totals 911 2,542 6,102 288 219 * Mean of average agi ;, 12'3.