E.—2.

[Appendix B.

applied for special examination, and others from primary schools who were represented at a central examination. The following is a summary of results : —

The percentages of certificates granted for the whole Dominion in 1915 were: Proficiency, 70 per cent.; competency, 18 per cent. The proportion gained in this district has always been somewhat low in comparison, but more nearly approximating the limit (60 per cent.) suggested by Mr. Hogben as Inspector-General and recommended for adoption by a former Inspectors' Conference. The excessive range of former years (in 1915 it varied from 52 to 80) is, we consider, largely attributable to the peculiarities of examiners in their interpretation of the requirements and standard of marking adopted. The new regulations coming into force in October increased the difficulty of obtaining either certificate, but the effect was markedly apparent only in regard to the competency certificate, the percentage of passes having fallen from 26 to 20. A junior free place at a technical school has been extended to the holder of a competency certificate, provided that his certificate is endorsed with special merit in handwork and elementary science. Only seven competency certificates were thus endorsed by us in 1916. The loss of time and irregularity of attendance consequent upon a broken school year would naturally have more effect upon the preparation of the children and the prospects of qualifying for a pass examination of fixed standard than upon other phases of school life. Hence when the special drawbacks of the year are taken into consideration it is rather a matter of surprise to find that the decrease (2 per cent.) in the number of proficiency certificates obtained is so slight. The falling-off is more apparent in the general efficiency of our public schools, a less proportion being able to attain to a satisfactory stage. A general estimate is given and a comparison made with the results of the previous year : Good, 25 schools; satisfactory to good, 29; satisfactory, 41; fair to satisfactory, 13; fair, 4: total, 112. Efficient-—For 1916, 95 schools; for 1915, 106; non-efficient, for 1916, 17; for 1915, 8. As we have before shown, the status of our teaching staff, already weakened by war conditions, has made little or no improvement during the year, and in this special time of stress occasioned by the prevalence of sickness among the children many teachers have found a difficulty in maintaining the efficiency of their schools. The summary of subjects given below shows that the loss is not peculiar to any one subject, but is very generally distributed : —

English. —Reading is usually satisfactory, and in a great many schools the teachers are making very commendable efforts to foster the reading habit in the pupils, and at the same time materially to widen their range of reading. Well-chosen books are to be seen in most of the school libraries. As regards the reading-lesson, weakness was often found in the ready comprehension of the language of the lesson and in the ability to use many of the words in well-formed sentences. Spelling remains in much the same position as last year. In the majority of schools the words occurring in the ordinary reader are usually well known. In S6 the unseen test in dictation is frequently poorly done. More practice in unseen work of this kind should enlighten the teacher as to the deficiency of his pupil's knowledge of words in common use. Recent amendments to the syllabus emphasize the necessity for such attention, and accordingly advise a recasting of methods, of teaching spelling. Some children find in spelling an insurmountable difficulty, but where the fault is common in a school it generally is the result of the teacher's incapacity or careless correction. Here again we cannot refrain from repeating that recent teachers' examinations show that in this subject also the qualifications of many candidates for the service are of very low standard. In all classes the dictation passage might well be delivered more rapidly than is usually the case, while the weekly time allotted to spelling and dictation is frequently excessive. An hour and a quarter should meet all requirements. Writing shows a somewhat poorer result than last year. The copybook writing and the formal writing exercise are usually satisfactorily done. It is in the ordinary school-work that weakness in handwriting is more

XVIII

'rimary school pupils 'rivate school pupils Iiscellaneous Proficiency Certificates. Number presented. Number. Per Cent. .. | 461 264 57 69 34 49 56 25 45 I Competency Certificates. Number. Per Cent. Total per Cent. 92 20 12 17 18 32 77 66 77

imbe'r of School Is. i Reading. Writing. Spelling. Composition. Arithmetic. 1916. Ifficient Ion-efficient 1915. Ifficient Ion-efficient 81 28 92 22 92 17 102 12 76 33 80 28 j 68 41 79 35 86 28 77 37 i J