21

E.—2

portion 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 twoyears course in 1917, 5 held Class C certificates, 84 Class D certificates, and 89 held partial successes towards teachers' certificates at the time of entry ; and at the end of the course, out of 209 students, 9 held Class B certificates, 123 Class C certificates, and 55 Class D certificates, the remaining students having secured sectional passes. The amounts paid to Education Boards in 1917-18 and 1918-19 for the training of teachers were as follows :— I. Training colleges— 1917 18. 1918-19. Salaries of staffs (two-fifths charged to public-school £ £ salaries) .. .. .. .. .. 13,765 16,741 War bonus to staff (£261) and students (£3,903) .. 3,587 4,164 Students'allowances and University fees .. .. 28,439 32,110 Special instruction, libraries, and incidentals .. 1,750 1,437 Buildings, sites, and equipment . . . . .. 358 140 47,899 54,592 11. Other training — Grants for special instruction in certificate subjects of teachers other than training-college students .. 3,415 1,800 Railway fares of teachers.. .. .. ..4,398 3,529 — 7,813 5,329 £55,712 £59,921 Less recoveries .. .. .. 325 Totals .. .. .. .. £55,387 £59,921 Provision for Uncertificated Teachers. Apart from the provision for training colleges, a grant of £2,875 was made last year to Education Boards for the maintenance of training classes for teachers, the amounts allotted to the various Boards ranging from £175 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. Improvements and alterations in the system of assisting uncertificated teachers have been considered, but it has not yet been possible to put them into practice. It is hoped that the recent regulations providing that a fair proportion oi' uncertificated teachers shall be employed in city schools will lessen the need of preparing them for their teachers' examinations by means of correspondence. Finances of Education Boards. (See also Appendix A, and Tables Fl-F4.) For several years attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory condition into which the finances of Education Boards have been drifting, more particularly with reference to the building funds. Most of the grants paid by the Government to the Boards are for special purposes, and should be regarded as moneys held in trust