17

E.—2

The number of students at each training college during the last quarter of 1919 and 1920 respectively are indicated in the following table :— , 1919. , , 1920 , Men. Women. Total. Men. Women. Total. Auckland ... ... ... 52 123 175 56 133 189 Wellington ... ... ... 26 126 152 39 135 174 Ohristchurch ... ... ... 21 108 129 26 117 143 Dunedin ... ... ... 27 99 126 36 138 174 Totals ... ... 126 456 582 157 523 680 The number of students is increasing every year, and since 1914 has increased by 58 per cent. The proportion of men students is also steadily growing, nearly 25 per cent, of the whole number being men in 1920. By an amendment in the regulations made in 1920 the number of students allowable at each training college was increased from 150 to 250, and it will be observed that in three cases the old maximum was exceeded in 1920. It may be. stated. that the number of students for the current year shows a very great increase over the number in 1920. The ordinary course of training is for two years. Under certain conditions a one-year course is provided for in the case of University graduates or of matriculated students who have completed a two-years course at an agricultural college or a school of home science recognized by the University of New Zealand. In addition, there are short-period studentships, of not less than three months' or more than one years' duration, for the benefit of teachers who have been already employed in teaching and are deemed worthy of further training in professional work, the allowances payable to such students being the same as those payable to students under Division B. The actual number of students completing one or other of these courses at the end of 1920 was 355, as compared with 271 in 1919. For the teaching practice of students the normal practising schools forming part of the training college in each case are available, and opportunities.of observation are also extended so as to embrace specially selected teachers and classes in neighbouring schools. Each normal school includes — (a) a main school, organized as a " mixed school " ; and (b) such " model schools " as may be approved by the Minister, each model school being one of the following types : (i) A rural public school under a sole teacher ; (ii) a junior school under one teacher with not more than 45 children of classes P to S2 on the roll ; (iii) a class representing the secondary department of a district high school; (iv) a special class of children of school age ; (v) a junior kindergarten. 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-teachers' certificate ranking with the class C ' or Class D certificate, as may be determined. Of the 311 students beginning a two-years course in 1919, 4 held Class C certificates, 127 Class D certificates, and 137 held partial successes towards teachers' certificates at the time of entry ; and the following was the examination status of 355 students completing their course at the end of 1920 : Class A certificate, 6 ; Class B certificate, 37 ; Class C certificate with partial B, 49 ; partial C or D with partial B, 9 ; Class C, 100 ; Class D with partial C, 53 ; Class D, 20 ; sectional D and sectional C, 18 ; sectional C, 5 ; sectional or partial D, 7 ; no examination, 1. Amendments made in the regulations for training colleges in 1920 provided for further increases in the allowances payable to students, which are now as follows : Division A and C students, £100 per annum ; Division B and D students, £80 per annum. University class fees are paid in addition, and when necessary a boarding-allowance of £30 per annum or a travelling-allowance. These increased payments .probably account to some extent for the greatly increased number of candidates for entrance to the training colleges, and it may be said they are as liberal as if not more liberal than those offered in any other English-speaking country. In addition to the staffs of the normal practising schools the staff of each training college consists of a principal, vice-principal, one or more assistant lecturers, and a tutor and librarian. The salaries of these officers together with. those of the normal-school staffs were increased by regulations made in 1920.

3—E. 2.