Appendix B.]

E.—2

Public Schools. —The following table shows the number of pupils in the various standards at the annual examination. The number present is only an approximation. v, , i „ Present at Annual Number .., . ~ „ ~ ~ Examination on Roll. , . . . . (Approximate). Standard VII ... ... 167 160 VI ... ... ... ... OUT 589 V ... ... ... ... 001 643 IV ... ... ... ... 762 750 111 ... ... ... ... 833 820 II ... ... ... ... 886 869 I ... ... ... ... 877 858 Preparatory ... ... ... ... 2,321 2,262 Totals... ... ... ... 7,108 (6,951) Totals for 1917 ... ... ... 6,999 6,852 The number of pupils in attendance at the schools of the district again shows an increase over that of previous years. For the September quarter the average weekly roll number was 7,058, compared with 6,967 for 1917; while the average weekly attendance over the whole year was 6,258, as against 6,217 last year. The effect of the outbreak of influenza during the last quarter of the year may be seen from the fact that the regularity of attendance fell from 902 per cent, for the March quarter, which is not usually a period of good attendance in this district, to 862 per cent, for the December quarter. The percentage for the year shows a corresponding fall from 89"7 per cent, in 1917 to 884 per cent, for 1918. In the table given above the figures for S6 and S7 show the greatest increase in roll numbers for the year, while the number in the preparatory classes has slightly decreased, and now stands at 326 per cent, of the total roll number for the district. S6 Examinations. —The usual programme for the conduct of the proficiency examinations was entirely disorganized early in November. Fortunately we had succeeded to a considerable extent in carrying out the usual routine prior to the enforced closing of the schools. In regard to pupils that we were not able to examine, certificates were awarded after consideration of the head teachers' estimate of their capabilities. In connection with all doubtful cases we conducted supplementary examinations, chiefly at the beginning of the. present year, so that as far as possible all unnecessary hardship to the candidates was avoided. The following table shows in detail the various certificates granted : — Number on ~ ~ . ~ , Endorsed SIS Roll. Proficiency. Competency. Comi , etenov . Primary-school pupils ... ... 602 362 108 22 Private-school pupils ... ... 65 45 9 2 Miscellaneous ... ... ... 64 26 10 731 433 127 24 Teachers. —The number of teachers employed by the Board at the end of the year was 217. Of this number, eighty-five were sole teachers, two-thirds of whom were uncertificated. Seventeen assistant teachers also had not qualified for certificates, so that about one-third of the teachers employed were unclassified. The following table shows the status of the teachers in regard to the various positions occupied : — Certificated Uneei- ~, . . or Licensed. titieatod. Head teachers ... • ■ • • • • 38 ... 38 Assistants ... ... ... ... ... 77 17 94 Soleteachers ... ... ... ... ■■• 28 57 85 Totals for 1918 ... 143 74 217 For 1917 ... ... ... 127 82 209 It will be seen that considerable improvement has taken place since last year. This is especially the case with assistant teachers, those certificated in this class showing an increase of thirteen. The number of uncertificated sole teachers has increased. While it has been most difficult to staff many of the smaller schools, it would be well as soon as normal conditions have again been resumed to review all the positions held by uncertificated teachers, and where possible replace such as show no capacity for teaching, or who are indifferent regarding their efficiency, by others more fitted for the work and showing greater zeal to improve their qualifications for such positions. Too many changes occur during the year in our school staffs, and it might even be advisable to limit applications for promotion to teachers who have been at least two years in their present positions. Twenty-seven pupil-teachers and seventeen probationers were also employed in the schools of this district. In these numbers were one male pupil-teacher and three male probationers. We find that twenty-four teachers from the district responded to the country's call. Of this number, seven have returned and have resumed duties. Five have made the supreme sacrifice. Efficiency of Schools. —The following table shows our estimate of the efficiency ot instruction in the various schools inspected by us : Good, 32 schools; satisfactory to good, 32; satisfactory, 37;

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