9

E.—s

As stated last year, there is a movement in certain education districts in the .direction of the establishment of compulsory continuation and technical classes under section 18 of the Education Amendment Act, 1910. Regulations requiring the attendance of young persons between the ages of fourteen and seventeen who are not otherwise receiving a suitable education, or who are not specially exempted from attendance have now been approved for certain school districts in Taranaki, Wanganui, and Hawke's Bay. The operation of these regulations, which it is expected will shortly be put into force, will be watched with much interest in view of the attention now being given to the question of the further education of adolescents in other parts of the world.

Free places at classes other than classes at day technical schools were held by 2,308 students. The following table gives the school age and sex of free pupils attending such classes : —

In 1911 the number of pupils holding Junior Free Places tenable for two years was 1,567, the number holding Senior Free Places tenable for three years being 741. About 51 per cent, of the pupils who entered on Junior Free Places in 1910 continued to attend in 1911. Of the total number of senior free pupils in their first year about 45 per cent, had previously been in attendance as junior free pupils. The remainder were either admitted on transfer from day technical schools, district high schools, or secondary schools, or had qualified by examination for Senior Free Places. Of the total number (2,308) of students admitted to free places 2,016, or 87 per cent., qualified for capitation. Capitation payments on account of free places amounted for 1911 to £5,900 15s. 10d., being at the rate of £2*9 per free place. The following is a summary of the chief sources of income and items of expenditure for 1911 in respect of " Special " and " Associated " classes for technical instruction (including day technical schools) : — Associated Classes. Receipts. £ Expenditure. £ Capitation on attendances and free places 16,699 Administration, &c. .. .. .. 5,413 Voluntary contributions and subsidies Salaries of instructors .. .. 18,453 thereon .. .. .. ~ 6,155 Buildings and equipment .. .. 7,145 Grants for buildings and equipment . . 4,164 Eent and material .. . . .. 2,619 Grants for rent and material .. 1,090 Students'fees .. .. . 4,316 Other receipts .. . . . . 2, 686 Totals.. .. .. £35,110 £33,630 Special Classes Receipts. £ Expenditure. Capitation on attendances and free places 14,547 Administration .. .. .. 6,215 Voluntary contributions and subsidies Salaries of instructors .. .. 15,416 thereon .. .. .. . . 2,436 Buildings and equipment .. 16,724 Grants for. buildings and equipment .. 6,032 Rent and material .. .. .. 2,043 Grants for rent and material .. .. 1,025 Students'fees .. .. .. 4,528 Other receipts .." . . .. 1,799 Totals.. .. .. £30,367 £40,398

2—E. 5.

1910. 1911. School Age. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. r ., (First year umor free pupils ] gecon^ year First year ienior free pupils- Second year Third year 688 257 189 104 57 406 184 116 73 24 1,094 441 305 177 81 670 356 223 130 81 341 200 140 99 68 1,011 556 363 229 149 1,295 803 2,098 1,460 848 2.308