[Appendix B.

E. -2.

Teachers. —On the 31st December, 1920, there were in the Board's service teachers classed as follows :—

Difficulty has again been experienced in obtaining suitable teachers for the more remote country schools. There is frequently a lack of suitable accommodation, but on the whole it may be said that the higher salaries now paid have enabled the Board to fill, these positions with a better class of teacher. The further increases granted at the end of the year will go far in bringing about a more efficient and more contented service. A noticeable feature has been the increase in the number of English and Scottish trained teachers who have applied for positions. All these applicants have secured employment, and in every instance they have proved themselves to be most efficient members of the teaching profession. These teachers complain, however, that, no matter how high their English credentials, they are awarded only a New Zealand D certificate —the lowest. Judging by their credentials the Board is of opinion that in a number of these cases at least a higher certificate was justified. Instruction of Teachers. —Saturday classes for the training of pupil-teachers, probationers, and uncertificated teachers in elementary science, drawing, agriculture, and dairy science were held at Napier and Danncvirke. Classes in vocal music were also conducted for head teachers and assistants. May term classes were held at Gisborne in the subjects of vocal music, illustrative drawing, and elementary science. A summer school was conducted at Hastings for three weeks in December for the purpose of supplying the practical work necessary in agriculture and dairy science for teachers' D and C certificate examinations, first aid for D, and school method for D. A refresher course in physical instruction was also included. The correspondence course was primarily established for uncertificated teachers, but this year pupil-teachers and probationers were allowed to join Group IV if they were unable to attend Saturday classes in that group. In general, the work of those in the correspondence classes cannot be considered eminently satisfactory. For the current year it is proposed to charge a fee for admission to the correspondence classes, the fee to be refunded if satisfactory progress is made. From the results obtained in the various certificate examinations the Board has every reason to feel gratified with the success of the training classes. Hawke's Bay is included in the district served by the Wellington Training College, and every year pupil-teachers are sent to complete their training. The Board feels, however, that the Training College should extend its influence in the district, and to this end renews the suggestion made last year that Training College extension lectures be given from time to time. District High Schools. —At the beginning of the year a secondary department was established at Waipukurau. As in previous years, the first- and second-year pupils of the secondary departments of the district high schools took the rural course. " The aim of the course is to provide a good general education in secondary subjects, and also to prepare the pupils for the Public Service Entrance Examination. The science work has been continued for the third and fourth year, thus enabling pupils to take science for their Matriculation Examination. During the year a commercial course was instituted at the Hastings District High School, and has been very successful. The average attendance of pupils in the secondary departments for the year was as follows : Hastings, 66 ; Waipawa, 36 ; Waipukurau, 32 ; Woodville, 38 : total, 172. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Great difficulty was again experienced in obtaining the necessary material for the work of the elementary handwork classes, and funds did not allow of sufficient supplies being obtained. Needlework has been satisfactorily taught in all schools. Special classes were conducted at nine schools in sole charge of male teachers, but in six schools no instruction was given, as it was impossible to arrange for a competent instructress. In agriculture, dairy science, and elementary science 112 classes were recognized for capitation purposes during the year. There is still a considerable number of teachers untrained in science work, and who are therefore unable, to take the science programme required by the syllabus. In woodwork, cookery, and dressmaking 142 classes were conducted at centres to which the pupils from the surrounding schools came for instruction. Classes were in operation at Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Waipawa, Waipukurau, Dannevirke, and Woodville. The manual-training classes at Napier, which had been discontinued for several years, were resumed in 1920. Napier Technical High School. —Steps have been taken to acquire a new site for the Technical High School in Napier. This has been rendered possible by the action of the Napier Borough Council in agreeing to vest in the Board a part of its freehold in the borough, worth between £3,000 and £4,000. The interests in several Harbour Board leases are being acquired, and. with the closing of an adjoining street an area of about 5 acres will be available. The Technical High School Board is contributing some £1,850 out of its own funds for the acquisition of the site.

VI

Certificated. Licensed. Uncertificated. All Teachers. Total. lead teachers lole teachers issistants Irganizing teachers M. 57 6 31 * 3 p. 12 22 141 M. F. 2 2 3 M. K. M. Jf. 59 12 13 60 31 186 3 71 73 217 3 5 38 42 'upil-teachers 'robationers 97 175 4 3 5 80 106 8 6 258 36 30 364 44 36 Total 97 175 5 80 120 324 444