E.—lb

12

The following is the annual summary for the eight Catholic schools in the district, the numbers not being included in Table I:— Average Age. Roll. Present. Vw * Standard VII ... ... ... ... 24 23 14 8 Standard VI ... ... 75 63 13 8 Standard V 103 * 90 12 6 Standard IV ... ... ... ... 99 91 ' H H Standard 111 ... ... 90 85 11 3 Standard II 72 69 9 7 Standard I ... ... ... ... 103 94 8 10 Preparatory ... ... ... ••■ 273 233 6 3 839 748 Proficiency certificates, 36; competency, 15. The total number of pupils, therefore, on the roll at the time of the animal visit was 13,853, while the total number of schools visited for the purpose of examination was 194. The following shows in a general way what becomes of our Standard V and Standard VI pupils: — Number of Children who left School on reaching Standard Vl.—ln 164 schools 394 pupils left during the period between the 1906 and 1907 annual visits. Number under 14 years of age, 157 : Of these, 123 left the school district, 2 went to secondary schools, 26 to work at home, 6 to work away from home. Of the last two groups, 25 pupils left without having obtained exemption certificates. Number over 14 years of age, 237: Of these, 38 left the school district; 7 went to secondary schools, 127 to work at home, 65 to work away from home. It thus appears that 224 children left school without reaching a standard of education higher than that represented by Standard V. Number of Children who left School on passing Standard VI. —In 164 schools 508 pupils left. Number under 14 years of age, 149 :Of these, 30 left the school district, 34 entered a district high school, 23 a secondary school, 44 left to work at home, 17 to work away from home. Number over 14 years of age, 359 : Of these, 30 left the school district, 25 entered a district high school, 20 a secondary school, 183 left to work* at home, 102 to work away from home. Standard VI Certificate Examination. —For the proficiency and competency examinations 912 pupils were on the roll, and of these 862 were present at examination. It will be seen that a greater number passed than in 1906, in which year the low percentage of passes was largely due to the stricter test imposed by the Education Department. 1907: 430 gained proficiency certificates, or 50 per cent, of the number present at the examination ; 282 gained competency certificates, or 32 per cent, of the number present at the examination: the total percentage of passes was therefore 82. 1906: 349 gained proficiency certificates, or 41 per cent.; 263 gained competency certificates, or 31 per cent.: the total percentage of passes was therefore 74. For the Dominion the percentage was 84. Candidates for Pupil-teacherships.—The Inspectors met the candidates at the following centres —Hawera, Wanganui, Marton, and Palmerston—and examined them as to their aptitude for teaching, &c. It is matter for congratulation that this year (1908) an increased number of candidates presented themselves, and, as will be seen, they also held higher educational qualifications than the candidates of the previous year. Total number of candidates —1907, 34; 1908, 39; from secondary or district high schools (attended two years or more)—l9o7, 14; 1908, 21; from primary schools—l9o7, 20; 1908, 17; matriculated—l9o7, 4; 1908, 12; passed Civil Service Junior— 1907, 8; 1908, 7. Efficiency of Schools. —Below is a table indicating the Inspectors' opinion of the quality of the work done in the various subjects at the date of their annual visits to the schools, and giving their estimate of the tone and efficiency.

Schools in which Subject was — Subject. Excellent. Good. Pair. Weak. Inferior. Beading Composition ... Writing Spelling Recitation Arithmetic Drawing Singing Physical Instruction Geography History Nature-study ... Handwork Needlework Discipline Efficiency 1 1 2 i 3 3 6 23 7 6 2 4 11 1 1 4 4 3 42 6 78 56 69 72 45 34 58 33 58 36 11 43 60 53 92 59 77 75 85 54 76 64 74 55 68 85 27 95 6a 69 45 92 26 45 20 26 37 46 42 86 15 46 19 28 22 9 4 27 2 7 5 7 13 29 9 10 17 7 8 2 1 8 7 1 1 32 2 3 3 109 8 30 36 "a