E.-2.
[Appendix B.
arithmetic for the proficiency examination. This would seem to indicate the advisability of broadening the scope of the proficiency examination so as to make it a test not only of what is done in S6, but of what has been achieved in the whole school course. Early in July the Medical Inspector addressed a meeting of mothers on the care of children. Her address attracted a large attendance, and, judging from the inquiries since made, has resulted in much good. At the annual Institute meeting the physical instructor spoke to the assembled teachers on the spirit in which the physical instruction should be carried out, and gave some useful hints on practical work. She also exhibited a good collection of diagrams of correct and faulty postures, which were highly appreciated by those present. It is to be hoped that the few remaining teachers who still regard physical instruction as a necessary cvil —a thing merely to be tolerated —will soon see the folly of their ways. Not only so, it is hoped that all teachers will soon know from practical experience how much benefit they will derive from hearty co-operation with their pupils in outside games, and how much benefit their pupils will derive from welldirected and thorough physical instruction. The Board's rule that every room should bo thoroughly freed from foul air at the intervals is, we regret to say, not universally observed. In a number of schools the teachers arc to be commended for the plan they have adopted of causing the pupils at the change of lessons to perform some vigorous movements of arms, &c, as a relief from the constrained postures in their desks. There appears to be a general lack of proper supervision of the outhouses, female teachers being the worst offenders. School Committees in some instances have neglected to arrange for periodically cleaning out the school tanks. Insufficient care is taken of gardening-tools, with the result that they are often found covered with soil, which has dried on them. In some schools tools have been broken, and in one or two cases tools have disappeared. As a general rule noxious weeds are kept down in the school-grounds. We note with, pleasure that a number of School Committees are taking an active interest in beautifying and improving their school-grounds. While we .have in the foregoing remarks restricted ourselves mainly to indicating the chief faults observed during our visits to schools, we should acknowledge that we have found the majority of inexperienced teachers ready to follow out to the best of their ability any advice given and anxious to become more efficient in their work. We also wish to recognize the splendid work done in the thoroughly efficient schools, of which we have a goodly number in this district. Wo have, &c, A. L. Wyi,t,te,j A. Incilis, I Inspectors. The Director of Education, Wellington. A. McNeil, J
XXIV
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