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1907. NEW ZEAL AN J).

EDUCATION: ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS. [In continuation of E.-1a, 1906.]

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

The Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. Hie Minister of Education. Sin,— Education Department, Wellington, 15th June, 1907. I have the honour to report upon the annual examinations for teachers' certificates for Junior National Scholarships, for Junior Free Places in secondary schools, district high schools, and technical schools, for Senior Free Places in secondary schools and district high schools, ami for admission to or promotion in the Civil Service. The examinations were held between the 11th and the 21st days of December, 1906, and between the sth and the 18th days of January, 1907, at the thirteen towns, which are the seats of Education Boards, and also at Alexandra, Arata'pu, Arrowtown, Ashburton, Balclutha, Dnnnevirke, Gisborne, Gore, Hamilton, Hawera, Lawrence, Levin', Masterton, Naseby, Oamaru, Opotiki, Pahiatua, Palraerston North, Paparoa, liangiora, Reef ton,' liivorton, Stratford, Tapanui, Tauranga, Thames, Wairoa, Westport, Whangarei. The total number of candidates that entered was 4,8] 5, of whom 437 were absent from examination. The numbers that actually sat for the several examinations were as follows: For the Junior National Scholarship and Junior Free Place Examination, 1,458: for the Civil Service Junior Examination, 2,123: for the Civil Service Senior Examination, 183: for certificate examinations, 1,051. The number, 183, given for the Senior Examination includes 13 who are also included in iln- number, 2,123, given for the Junior Examination. The Junior National Scholarship Examination was used by all of the Education Boards except four for awarding their junior scholarships, and by Victoria College for awarding the Junior Queen's Scholarships. The Civil Service Junior Examination was used as the examination for senior free places in secondary schools and district high schools, and also as the first examination of pupil-teachers. It has also been adopted by near!;, all the Education Boards as the test for their senior scholarships! The following table shows in a. succinct form the number of candidates for the last two years: — 1905-6. 1906-7. Junior National Scholarship and Junior Free Place ... ... 790 1,458 Civil Service Junior, Senior Free Place, First Pupil-teachers ... 1,305 2,123 Teachers D and C ... ... ... ... 749 1051 Civil Service Senior ... ... ... ... 141 lg3 2,985 4,815 From a comparison of the figures in the above table, it will be seen that the recent examinations have witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of candidates under the various headings. This increase in the candidature, so far as ihe December examinations are concerned, is evidently due to the greater opportunities now afforded for free secondary education; in the teachers'

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