E.—lβ

1902. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-1b, 1901.]

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

AUCKLAND. Sic, — Education Board, Auckland, 7th March, 1902. I have the honour to submit a general report on the schools of the Auckland District for the year 1901. The number of schools in operation at the close of the year was 395, being fourteen more than at the close of last year. Of these, 362 were inspected, besides twenty Eoman Catholic diocesan schools and the Parnell Orphan Home. In half-time schools only one of the grouped schools was inspected. One school was not inspected, and three were closed when visited (two of them twice) for inspection. Seventeen new schools have been opened in the course of the year. A few of these were old-established schools that have been reopened after being closed for a longer or shorter time. Two schools were closed in the course of the year. In all, 413 schools have been examined, including twenty Roman Catholic diocesan schools and the Parnell Orphan Home. Two newly established schools were not examined. The following table shows in summary the examination results of the public schools for the year. Except in very rare instances, the passes in Standards I. to V. were determined by the head teachers, whilst those in Standard VI. were determined by the Inspectors :—

At the Roman Catholic diocesan schools the roll-number was 1,541; 929 pupils were examined, and 720 passed in one or other of the standards. The public schools show for the year an increase of 300 in the roll-number, of eighteen in the number examined, and of forty-eight in the number 'of pupils who passed one or other of the standards. Approximately 87 per cent, of the pupils examined in standards passed or gained promotion. This year, as last, the statement of the average age of pupils relates to the pupils on the rolls of the several standard classes, and not to those who passed the several standards. The average age of the pupils in Standard VI. is three months lower than that for last year, while in Standards IV. and 111. it is higher by six months and three months respectively. The average age at which Standard I. is passed remains unchanged at nine years and one month. The intervals between the average ages of the successive standards are one year or less, except in passing from Standard 11. to 111. I—E. Iβ.

Classes. Roll-Dumber. Examined. Passed. Average Age of Pupils in each Class. # Yrs. mos. Above Standard VI. ... Standard VI. V. IV. „ III. II. I. Preparatory 356 1,835 2,813 3,601 3,583 3,480 3,335 9,997 1,781 2,714 3,489 3,501 3,414 3,255 1,358 2,308 3,007 3,008 3,058 3,102 13 10 13 1 12 3 11 3 10 1 9 1 Totals ... 29,000 18,154 15,841 11 7* ~ • it, !ean of averai .fie.