11

E.—lc

Dr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Bitchie seconded, That, as a safeguard and corrective to the percentage of passes in subjects already carried by the Conference in connection with schoolexaminations, a calculation be also made by the Inspector showing in the form of an additional percentage the proportion of children on the roll of the school who have not remained more than one school year in the same standard class, plus those who, being presented in the P. division, are not at the date of examination more than eight years of age : provided only that children who have not made more than 250 attendances since the previous examination are not to count against the proportion calculated. Motion not carried. .'.',, ; Mr. Spencer moved, and Mr. Hill seconded, That some steps be taken for establishing a. Central Department of Science and Art, to encourage and foster a more thorough and scientific treatment of science in the primary schools, and for the furtherance of technical education. Motion passed. Mr. Hill moved, That pupils who have passed the Sixth Standard should be entitled to attend high schools free of charge. Motion not seconded. Mr. Hill moved, That high schools ought to be under the direct control of Education Boards, and subject to supervision and examination by the Central Department. Motion not seconded. Mr. Petrie moved, and Mr. Crowe seconded, That Messrs. Wood, Lee, and Hill be appointed a committee to prepare a report containing the recommendations of the Conference for presentation to the Minister. Motion carried. A hearty vote of thanks to the Secretary was carried. The Secretary was instructed to convey the thanks of the Conference to the Chairman of the Wellington Board of Education for granting the use of their rooms for the meetings of the Conference. Votes of thanks were also passed as follows: To the Inspector-General of Schools for the ability, impartiality, patience, and courtesy with which he had directed the deliberations of the Conference; to the Minister for having convened the Conference; and to the Education Board's officers for the help rendered to members. The Conference closed at 4-45 p.m. on Wednesday, 7th February, 1894, having met thirteen times for the transaction of business.

APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A.

SUBJECTS PBOPOSED FOE DISCUSSION. I. CIRCULAR TO EDUCATION BOARDS. Education Department, Wellington, Bth March, 1893. The Secretary of the Education Board, . I am directed to inform you that a deputation from the Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute recently laid before the Minister the following resolutions of the Council:— " That the inspection and examination of primary and secondary schools should be under the control of the Department of Education." " That a code of instructions should be issued to Inspectors." " That there should be uniform standard examinations." The Minister is under the impression that the dissatisfaction indicated by these resolutions is not confined to teachers, but that there is a general opinion in favour of periodical or occasional exchange of the Inspectors, and of bringing about a conference between these officers for the purpose of establishing greater uniformity in regard to the valuation of the work of the schools and the interpretation of the various details of the standard regulations. It has been found, as a matter of fact, that the residents of different parts of the colony do not compete on equal terms for appointments in the public service because of the different degrees of attainment required for a Sixth Standard pass. The Minister is unwilling to interfere in any matters that lie within the Boards' administrative functions; but he is anxious that this subject should receive their serious consideration, and he hopes that they will be able between themselves to make such arrangements as will satisfy the feeling to which reference has been made. In regard to the institution of a conference between the Inspectors, Mr. Beeves is prepared to place upon the estimates a reasonable sum in aid of the project. E. 0. Gibbes, For the Secretary.

11. SUGGESTIONS BY INSPECTORS. Mr. Dickinson: Auckland. 1. The necessity for reducing the number of subjects of instruction in the small schools 2. The advisability of discontinuing the individual examination in large schools. Mr. Murray: Taranaki. 1. Preparatory Class : Should the work of the senior preparatory class be prescribed ? 2. Writing, Standard I.: Should words of one syllable be required in Standard I. ?