3

B.—B

lii addition to the Maori children in attendance at the schools specially instituted fof Natives there were 5,086 Natives attending 568 different publicschools at the end. of 1920, the number exceeding the Maori pupils attending Native village schools. The majority of these pupils are in the North Island, more than half of them being in the Auckland District. Details as to their age and classification are given in Table H5, from which it may be seen that the great majority of the pupils are in the lowest classes, the proportion reaching S5 and St> being much smaller than in the case of Maori scholars attending the Native village schools. The total number of Maori children receiving primary education at (he end of 1920, including pupils of Native village schools, mission schools, and public schools, was 10,134. Classification of Pupils. Tables HO and 117 show in detail the classification of pupils on the rolls of the Native schools. As will be seen, 83-8 per cent, of the pupils were Maoris speakingMaori in their homes, 3 per cent, were Maoris speaking English in their homes, and 12-5 per cent, were Europeans. The average age of the Native pupils in the various classes is higher than in public schools, although not more so than the peculiar condition and habits of life of the Native would account for. The proportion of pupils in the lower classes is also greater than in the case of public schools, not so many children remaining at school to pass the upper standards. Compared with the Maoris in attendance at public schools, however, the pupils of Native schools are younger in their classes and much more successful in reaching the higher standards. The following table shows in summary form the classification of pupils in Native schools, the percentages of pupils in the various classes in public schools and in the case of Natives attending public schools being also shown for comparison : —

Efficiency of the Schools. The inspection of Native schools was carried out in 1920 by two Inspectors of Native Schools, the experiment of having the schools inspected by the Inspectors of Public Schools having been abandoned. The efficiency of the schools, generally speaking, is reported as being very satisfactory indeed, the Inspectors' detailed criticisms and remarks going to show that as high a standard of excellence is aimed at as is achieved in public schools. There is little doubt that in point of efficiency Native schools compare favourably with public schools of similar size. The schools were classified by the Inspectors as follows : — Very good to excellent . . .. . . .. . . . . .. 47 Satisfactory to good . . .. .. .. .. .. 63 Inferior to weak . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 The pupils of S6 were examined for the award of certificates of proficiency and competency, sixty-five of the former and. twenty-eight of the latter certificates being awarded.

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