E. —1

KINDERGARTEN SCHOOLS. During the year no change was made in the Department's policy in regard to kindergartens. The establishment of kindergartens has, as in the past, been left to the recognized kindergarten associations, and the associations have been able to carry on their activities through the aid of the Department in providing financial assistance by way of subsidy and capitation. An association must satisfy the Department that its business is not conducted for private profit, that a school for which recognition is sought is necessary in the district in which it is situated, that the building and equipment are suitable, and that the teaching staff is adequate and the instruction efficient. In addition, no fees can be charged for pupils attending a recognized kindergarten school. Capitation payable is limited to £4 for each pupil in average attendance, and £l ss. for every £l raised by voluntary contributions and expended on the maintenance of the schools during any year. In addition, subsidies not exceeding £l for £l were paid on voluntary contributions raised by an association and expended on buildings, sites, and equipment approved by the Minister of Education. During 1930 eight associations were recognized by the Department, and a sum of £5,243 was paid as capitation and £1,747 as building subsidy. The number of pupils in attendance at schools conducted in 1930 by the recognized associations, and the average attendance of such pupils, were as follows : — . . . Number of Pupils 011 Roll at Average Attendance, Association. Schools. end of 1930. 1930. Auckland . . . . . . 8 469 335 Hastings . . . - .. .. 1 36 30 Hutt Valley .. .. 1 75 60 Wellington .. .. ..7 379 308 Blenheim .. . . . . 1 48 36 Ckristcliurch .. .. .. 6 346 263 Dunedin .. .. .. 6 320 253 Invercargill .. .... 2 80 63 Totals 32 1,753 1,348

PRIMARY EDUCATION. Number op Public Schools. The number of public schools open at the end of 1930 was 2,593, four less than in the previous year. In the following table the schools are classified according to their grade, and the yearly average attendance and the number of children per teacher are shown.

6

Total Average Average Number of Schools.* r —"* ; ■" £2 — ©iS ——fe"' ' Number of Tange 0 of SC Av 0 e°rage d Mmary De P artment - Departmllt.t Totals ' Attendance. " "^TPrlrrf* In each In each In each In each In each In each In each In each - Subgrade. Grade. Subgrade. Grade. Subgrade. Grade. Subgrade. Grade. 0 (1-8) .. 247 247 1,468 1,468 .. .. 1,468 j 1,468 6 1 (9-20) .. 785 785 11,459 11,459 .. .. 11,459 11,459 15 II (21-35) .. 491 491 13,429 13,429 .. .. 13,429 13,429 24 TTTa (36-50) .. 296 1 f 12,522 "] f .. 1 f 12,522 ~] f 22 IIIb 51-80) .. 263 V 16,307 41,875-! 52 )- 152-{ 16,359 )■ 42,027<i 30 IIIc (81-120) .. 138 j I 13,046 J L 100 J I 13,146 J I 31 IVa (121-160) .. 76 "1 f 11,052 1 f 334 1 f 11,386 1 IVB 161-200) .. 32 > 142< 5,833 |> 443 6,276 }■ 25,368 34 IVc (201-240) .. 34 j L 7,184 J I 522 j I 7,706 J Va (241-280) .. 27 1 f 7,222 1 f 435 ] f 7,657 1 VB 281-320) .. 23 y 79<| 6,734 437 7,171 )■ 25,127 43 Vo (321-360) .. 29 j I 9,974 J I 325 J I 10,299 J VIa (361-400) .. 21 ~] f 7,963 1 f 418 ] f 8,381 VIB 401-440) .. 20 > 8,842 V 23,036<! 418 M,046<! 9,260 J- 24,082 45 Vic (441-480) .. 14 J 1 6,231 J I 210 J I 6,441 J VIIa (481-520) .. 20 1 f 10,016 °) f 85 1 f 10,101 1 VIIb (521-560) .. 23 11,646 .. 11,646 VIIc (561-600) .. 20 11,371 122 11,493 VTTn (601-640) .. 7 4,333 307 4,640 VHE (641-680) .. 12 7,723 .. 7,723 VIIf (681-720) .. 9 1 9 J 6,299 I 60 07 J •• I 514 J 6,299 I s6 588 42 VIIg (721-760) .. 2 r J 1,513 f 1 .. f ] 1,513 f VIlH (761-800) .. 3 2,323 .. 2,323 VIIi (801-840) .... ■■ VIIJ (841-880) .. 1 850 .. 850 VIlK (881-920) .... VIIL (921-960) .. I •• J I •• J I •• J Totals 1930 2 593 2,593 195,340 195,340 4,208 4,208 199,548 199,548 31 Totals, 1929 .. -2,591 2,597 195,359 195,359 4,014 4,014 199,373 199,373 31 "Difference .. —4 | —4 —19 —19 +194 +194 +175 i +175 * Half-time, main, and side schools are counted as separate schools. . , , f The average attendance shorn under this heading is the average attendance for the year ended 31st August, 1930, computed and adjusted in accordance with the regulations governing the staffing of schools. The unadjusted total average attendance for the year ended 31st December, 1930, was—primary departments, 195,165; and secondary departments, 4,229. t This refers to secondary classes conducted mainly in rural areas m district high schools—that is, m primary schools to which are a e ac^Jr8 a 'j X , co unted as class-teachers up to and including Grade V schools that are not district high schools.