E.—l2

1907. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: SECONDARY EDUCATION. [In continuation of E.-12, 1906.]

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

1. BXTEACT FEOM THE THIRTIETH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. The Education Board scholarship scheme by which the Education Boards, under local regulations approved by the Minister of Education, award annually a large number of scholarships of varying value out of an allowance of old standing, amounting to Is. 6d. per head of the average attendance, still remains the chief door of entry to secondary schools for the most promising of the primary school pupils. The regulations adopted in the different districts commonly provide for two classes of scholarships, junior and senior—the former limited to children under fourteen or in some cases under thirteen years of age resident in the district, and tenable usually for two years ; the latter, more restricted in number, continuing the secondary education of the holders for two or three years longer. During the year 1906 Education Board scholarships—junior and senior— were current to the number of 463, as against a total of 394 for 1905. The actual monetary value of these scholarships in most instances is small, the object in view being generally to spread the benefits as widely as possible rather than to provide attractive prizes for a few. Each scholarship, however, through the operation of the provisions for free places, which give a preference to scholar-ship-holders, carries with it in all but certain exceptional circumstances the substantial benefit of free tuition, and a lodging or travelling allowance is added where necessary. The total expenditure of Education Boards on scholarships

I—E. 12.