E.—l

26

recognized by the University of New Zealand. In addition the regulations under the Act of 1914 provide for the holding of short-period studentships, of not less than three months' or more than one year's duration, for the benefit of teachers who have been already employed in teaching and are deemed worthy of further training in professional work. The allowances payable to such students will be the same as those payable to students under Division B. For the teaching practice of students the normal practising schools forming part of the training college in each case are available, and opportunities of observation are now extended so as to embrace specially selected classes of teachers in neighbouring schools. By the regulations of 1914 it is provided that each normal school shall include— (a) a main school, organized as a "mixed school " ; and (b) such " model schools " as may be approved by the Minister, each model school being of one of the following types : (i) A rural public school under a sole teacher ; (ii) a junior school under one teacher with not more than 45 children of classes P to S2 on the roll; (iii) a class organized as the secondary department of a district high school; (iv) a class for backward children ; (v) a junior kindergarten. The total number of children on the roll of the normal school (excluding the kindergarten) must not exceed 750. Provision is also made in the regulations referred to for a very material increase in the salaries of the teachers of the staff, particularly in the lower grades, and at the same time for the addition of certain positions to the staff which should add substantially to the generallefnciency. The following gives the actual average attendance of pupils at each of the normal schools, the main schools and their adjuncts being separately given :> —

Much information in regard to the courses of instruction taken by students at the training colleges may be obtained from the tables appearing in Appendix D of E.-2. The following matter is summarized from the tables:— Table P2 shows the University work undertaken by students. In general, students are required to attend at least one course of lectures in a subject other than education at the University. Where possible, in fact, it is contemplated that the general education of students should in the main be continued at the University, but it is not allowable that classes be taken there that are inconsistent with the requirements of the professional course, nor is it permissible to study for a University degree unless it is certain that the work can be undertaken without detriment to the student's training as a teacher. More than half the students took English in 1914, about one-fourth took Latin, and the subjects coming next in. order were botany, domestic science, mental science, and French. At one centre a course in voice-production provided by the University college was attended by the whole of the students. Table P3 contains parallel facts for special classes of professional training for which provision has been made within the training college itself or in intimate connection with it. It deals only with students who are in their second year of training. The subjects are largely more or less compulsory in character, though not of necessity for the second year, and include methods of teaching, kindergarten principles,f elementary science, hygiene, agriculture, needlework, and drawing. The regulations impose the necessity off a certain minimum number of hours'; 1 : being devoted to individual practical work in elementary 'science and handwork, and to observation and practice in methodsfof teaching. From Table P4 may be learnt the initial status of the students at admission to the training college as set out in terms of the Department's certificate provisions,

Main School (exclusive of Model i Secondary Schools and Second- Department. ' ary Department). Model Sohool. Junior Model School (P to 82). Total. Auckland Wellington Christchurch .. Dunedin 393 346 402 442 23 36 29 59 33 30 29 37 33 34 37 482 446 460 575