E.-l.

The average age for the colony of the pupils in Standard VI at the time of the annual visit of the Inspector was 13 years 9 months, which is precisely the same as the average for the three preceding years. In range, the ages returned by the several districts differ by 7 months, the lowest age being found in Westland, 13 years 5 months, and the highest in Hawke's Bay, 14 years 0 months. As to the age at which pupils in this standard obtained certificates of competency and certificates of proficiency respectively, no precise information is available; but the information deduced from Table D2—that 82*45 per cent. (84-31 in 1905) received one or other class of certificate—serves to show that the pupils failing to obtain such a certificate before attaining the age of fourteen years must be comparatively small. In Table D 4 are given the numbers of children receiving instruction in the several subjects. For the purpose of this return reading, spelling, writing, and composition are grouped together under the heading " English," and some other alterations are made which are rendered necessary by alterations in the programme prescribed. " Object-lessons," for instance, disappears, as it has disappeared from the syllabus of instruction, and its place is taken by " nature-study," which is here grouped with " elementary science," from which in general it is not to be distinguished.

TABLE D4.—Number of Pupils instructed in Separate Subjects, December, 1906.

In English and arithmetic the numbers returned remain practically identical with the roll-numbers, following them in the upward grade ; under the heading " physical instruction " a further marked increase is shown in the number receiving some definite course of training, and drawing and singing also include a somewhat larger proportion of the whole. A large increase is again shown in the addition to the number reported as receiving instruction in handwork of various forms ; the total number receiving instruction under this heading has now reached 70-68 per cent, of the total roll-number. The percentages of the numbers receiving instruction in nature-study and physical instruction were 86-74 and 97-17 respectively of the total roll-number. On the other hand, further reductions are found in geography, history, and in nature-study and elementary science. The fall in the number taking nature-study must not be taken as implying that this important department is receiving less attention than formerly. There is an increasing number of schools at which elementary agriculture, dairy-work, and cognate subjects are being taken. Pupils attending such classes would not be returned as taking a general course of nature-study, but as taking some branch of handwork providing a definite course of nature-study. Public-school Teachebs. In December, 1906, there were employed on the primary staffs in the public schools of the colony 3,872 teachers, of whom 3,201 were adults and 671 pupil-teachers : the corresponding numbers for December, 1905, were 3,137

ii—E. 1.

ix

Education Districts. fl a at** at' 8 . it* Z-o | _ _ _ a o I fl si a '$ a tH Q a '5c 9 s a •ss -H *=* — --/J rH fl 0. 3 I $ Err, h o ■A ■'/! 3 >,_ ■o a • 3 cp CD co a a , O CD 4>_'S B'S >> tqdd ■a o > 9 w JO r. O 9 O e Auckland Taranaki Wanganui Wellington Hawke's Bay Marlborough Nelson Grey Westland North Canterbury South Canterbury Otago Southland 32,455 5,040 12,831 16,212 9,149 2,015 5,592 1,643 1,035 19,403 5,195 18,995 9,737 32,455 5,040 12,831 16,212 9,149 2,015 5,592 1,643 1,035 19,403 5,195 18,995 9,737 139,302 137,623 32,409 5,040; 12,809! 16,206i 9,149: 2,015 5,592! 1,635 ! 1,035! 19,403 5,195 18,995 9,672! i 139,155! 137,408 32,186 . 5,040 i 12,774 i 16,088 9,095 1,927 5,245 1,556 890 19,150 5,017 18,995 ! 9,586| I 137,549! 135,146 30,367 5,040 11,413 15,362 8,666 1,831 5,592 1,533 699 18,415 4,848 18,995 | 9,124 !131,885 129,630 31,060 5,040 12,607 15,424 8,662 1,936 5,592 1,610 880 18,817 5,162 18,995 9,578 135,363 127,386 15,552 2,864 7,569 9,891 5,190 1,292 4,564 857 528 11,110 2,580 10,641 5,574 13,562 1,890 4,838 7,458 3,589 891 2,527 630 234 8,853 1,958 9,150 4,293 26,650 5,040 11,661 15,229 7,974 1,610 4,388 1,346 924 18,130 4,382 15,298 8,201 120,833 122,040 i 22,448 | 4,128 11,380 13,190 5,956 1,504 3,602 725 489 11,858 3,641 11,449 8,095 : 9,899 2,103 i 4,593 i 6,700 , 4,365 776 2,478 599 336 8,618 1,998 7,579 3,857 Totals for 1906 Totals for 1905 139,302 137,623 78,212 79,981 59,873 59,956 98,465 93,565 53,901 52,777 Difference .. 2,403 -1,769 -83! -1,207 4,900 1,124 1,679 1,679! 1,747 2,255 7,977