E.—2.

Appendix B'.]

OTAGO. Sir,— Dunedin, Bth March, 1918. We have the honour to submit herewith our annual report on the work of the schools in this district for the year 1917. The following table gives a summary of inspection results for the public schools : — Number on Present at Annual Roll. Examination Standard VII ... ... ... :.. 339 311 VI ... ... ... 1,529 1,493 V . ... ... ... 2,129 2,075 IV ... ... ... ... 2,590 2,531 „ 111 2,760 2,697 II ... ... ... ... 2,832 2,770 I ... 3,205 3,035 Preparatory ... ... ... ... 7,220 6,966 Totals ... ' 22.595 21,878 During the year 260 schools were in operation: of these, two were half-time schools and six were household schools. With the exception of household schools, all the schools were inspected, and m nearly all cases two visits were paid. In addition the Inspectors visited and reported on sixteen private schools. . Efficiency of Schools.— An analysis of the Inspectors' annual return gives the following results with regard to efficiency : Excellent or very good, 26 per cent. ; good, 41 per cent. ; satisfactory, 28 per cent.; fair to inferior, 5 per cent. This shows a satisfactory decrease of 5 per cent in the lowest group and an increase of 6 per cent, in the highest group. Proficiency Examination. — -For the proficiency certificate 1,631 candidates presented themselves- of these 1 275, or 78 per cent., secured the certificate of proficiency and 212 gained the certificate of competency. This shows an increase of 3 per cent, on the results of the previous 11 ' Syllabus —Last year we reported very fully on the subjects of the syllabus, and as we have in our reports to the Board furnished details of the work done during the year we think it unnecessary to add to our general report this year, except to emphasize the remarks we imukm 1917 on reading, history, geography, and drawing. Instruction m morals and heath is receiving suitable attention, and the Minister's direction that lessons in temperance should be given is hem %Scal)nstriiction.-h, only a few schools have we had to call the teachers' attention to the necessity for regular instruction in physical drill, and in the majority of schools the exercises are faithfully carried out. The style of instruction by the teachers has improved, and in consequence the work was done more smartly by the children. In order to prevent any tendency to tin and to obtain the greatest benefit from open-air exercise, the physical instructors have aid emphasis on the importance of correct breathing during the performance of all movements The orCive classes which have been carried out during the year under the oh Meaical Inspector have been visited frequently by the physical instructors, and their report Ste«< The marked improvement in flu- physique of the children certain y justifies the com tn mnce of these classes " In a number of schools swimming is systematically taught, while the CoTance of orgtniLd games as an educational factor is recognized m our schools, more eSP6 t!!iS on handwork las, year we have little to add except l .tfte lat we are pleased to record that the number of teachers who look upon the subject as e d^ that fewer are now treating it as an isolated bj >n a r P satisfactory schools (nineteen), and as there are not one hu lied i aor European pupils. diffl^_X_-=^^^ that of the European in the same classes d d work , but the language SJIK. is generally very satisfactory & p ,. ofi( , ion Certificate and one a Competency. S^f^^oo/ V rS,- K .-fi, IN-P..H - i, very good condition, Buildings, efec.-The buildings grounds, an fnc s a in ge B and are well looked after. In only mne c« v he butld ngs bee P The f-tory, and in three of these tbj, of the architect. In many cases repairs necessary in the othci uses arc icu.iv g

iii—E. 2 (Apr. B.)

XI