8.—2.

[Appendix D.

district high school; (iv) a class for backward children ; (v) a junior kindergarten. Special legislation was passed in 1917 providing for the staffing of classes for backward children and for public schools established as model schools, and a class for backward children was opened in Auckland in a specially designed modern building erected at the cost of a private donor. Students receive their theoretical instruction from the training-college staff, and also attend University college classes to a considerable extent. A certain proportion of students attempt degree work in conjunction with their training-college work, although this double course is discouraged except in cases of specially suited students. Divisions A, B, and C students satisfactorily completing the prescribed course of work at the training college may, on the recommendation of the Principal, receive without further examination a trained teacher's certificate ranking with the Class C or Class D certificate, as may be determined. Of the students beginning a two years' course in 1916, 3 held Class C certificates and 59 Class D certificates at the time of entry ; and- at the end of the course, out of 206 students, 13 held Class B certificates, 129 Class C certificates, and 47 Class D certificates, the remaining students having secured sectional passes. The amounts paid to Education Boards in 1916-17 and 1917-18 for the training of teachers were as follows :— I. Training colleges— 1916-17, 1917-18. Salaries of staffs (two-fifths charged to public-school £ £ salaries) .. .. .. ".. .. 13,268 13,765 War bonus to staff (£230) and students (£3,357) .. .. 3,587 Students'allowances and University fees .. .. 27,541 28,439 Special instruction, libraries, and incidentals .. 1,307 1,750 Buildings, sites, and equipment .. .. .. 942 358 If. Other training— 43,058 -47,899 Grants 'for special instruction in certificate subjects, including science, agriculture, and handwork, of teachers other than training-college students .. .. 1,595 3,415 Railway hires of teachers and instructors .. .. 5,374 4,398 6,969 7,813 £50,027 £55,712 Less recoveries .. .. .. .. 325 Totals .. .. .. .. £50,027 £55,387 A recent amendment in the regulations provides for an increase in the annual allowances of students under Divisions A and B from £40 and £20 to £50 and £30 respectively (lodging-allowance at the rate of £25 per annum being paid in addition). Provision for Uncertificated Teachers. Apart from the provision for training colleges, a grant of £2,900 was made last year to Education Boards for the maintenance of training classes for teachers, the amounts allotted to the various Boards ranging from £150 to £650. The purposes for which the grant was applied were : — (1.) Central classes for the direct personal tuition of uncertificated teachers (exclusive of pupil-teachers and probationers) in subjects required for the D certificate. (2.) Tuition and training in Class D subjects of uncertificated teachers (exclusive of pupil-teachers and probationers) by means of correspondence classes under the control of Education Boards, in cases in which it is found highly inconvenient to bring teachers to classes. Under this heading, however, no correspondence classes in science subjects are recognized unless the Board makes adequate provision for practical work. (3.) Courses of practical work in physical and natural science, in subjects of manual instruction other than those usually taught by special instructors, in vocal music, and in drawing.

II