E.—l.

Applicants pojr Probationerships. In 1930 the number of qualified applicants for entrance to the teaching service as probationers far exceeded the number of probationerships available. The Education Boards were therefore again able to select for appointment young people with high academic and personal qualifications. Sixty-four per cent, of those appointed as probationers in 1930 had higher leaving certificates or a full pass in the Teachers' Class D Examination, the highest qualification necessary for appointment, and the remainder had either passed the Matriculation Examination, secured a partial pass in the Class D Examination, or held lower leaving certificates. There were 772 applications received in 1930 from young persons desirous of receiving appointment as probationers. It was possible, however, to find positions for only 550 of the applicants thus qualified. Supply op Teachers. In accordance with the requirements of regulations, Education Boards were advised of the numbers of probationers that were to be appointed in 1930. Having regard to the number of retirements from the teaching service and losses through other causes during the year, the Department estimated that the wastage that would occur in the year 1934 —i.e., the first year in which 1930 probationers would be eligible to fill vacancies in the teaching service requiring the appointment of a certificated teacher —would be met by the appointment of 550 probationers. Training op Teachers. The period of training necessary for a young teacher to secure a trained teacher's certificate is usually four years. By far the greater number of trainees come from the ranks of the probationers in public schools, who serve for one year in that capacity. In addition to these, studentships are granted to assistants who have spent two years in a recognized kindergarten, and to student teachers who have spent one or two years as such in technical schools. These trainees are required to pass or obtain a partial pass in the Training College Entrance Examination, and are then admitted to the training college as students of Division A for a course of training of two years' duration, with a possible extension of a further year on the recommendation of the Principal. Students of Division A, on completion of their course, serve for a further year in the schools as probationary assistants, at the end of which period they receive the issue of certificates. In the case of students who remain for a third year at training college, the period of training as a probationary assistant is dispensed with. Graduates are accepted for a course of professional training of one year, and are designated students of Division C. Where teachers have entered the teaching profession, and have not had the advantage of professional training at a college before issue of a certificate, provision is made to accept them for a short period studentship, and are designated students of Division D. In all the above cases the ex-trainee is under bond to serve in public schools. For those who do not desire to enter into a bond to serve in public schools a course similar to that provided for other students is available at a reasonable charge per term. These students are entered under Division B. As in the case of students training for the Public Schools Service, a student of Division B is required to possess educational qualifications of an approved standard. The following figures summarize the position regarding the training of teachers in 1930. The figures for the previous year are given for purposes of comparison : —

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Number of Training-college Students. J Number of Pro- I ! Total. . r „ Total bationers • Dationary JL r&iiiGGS. Division A. Division B. Division C. j Division D. Assistants. ■ ' . _J - 1929 .. .. 547 1,145 .. 24 14 1,183 224 1,954 1930 .. .. 542 1,114 1 28 11 1,154 352 2,048