E. —1.

The ages at which pupils commenced their post-primary course are given in the following table : —

Table N.—Ages at which Pupils commence Post-primary Course.

In 1931 22 per cent, and in 1932 23 per cent, of those commencing a postprimary course did so under the age of thirteen years. 15. DESTINATION OF PUPILS LEAVING SCHOOL. A summary of the destination returns obtained from the schools, through the various Boards, is given in the following tables :

Table O1.-Probable Destination of Pupils leaving Public Primary Schools during or at End of Year 1932.

19

Age at which Post-primary Course commenced. Total Numbers commencing — v Post-primary Under 12 12 Ye ars. 13 Years. 14 Years. , Education. .Years. ana over * ' " " i Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys., Girls. Boys. Girls. Secondary .. 82 72 561 564 1,014 1,054 j 485 463 127 772,269 2,230 Combined .. 14 9 84 89 163 113 ( 118 77 41 22 420 310 Technical.. .. 25 32 262 301 861 772 799 522 302 1232,249 1,750 District hi°h .. 49 36 248 236 459 417 324 216 105 651,185 970 Junior high .. 1 4 16 16 39 33 36 21 8 22 100 96 Totals—1932 .. 171 153 1,171 1,206 2,536 2,389 ll,762 1,299 583 309 6,223 5,356 1931 .. 106 106 1,178 1,321 2,806 2,707 1,907 1,480 639 3356,636 5,949 Difference .. —(—65 +47 —7 —115 —270 —318 ' —145 181 56 26 413 593

Totals. Had passed Had not passed Form II. .Form II. Boys. Girls. Destination. Pgr Pgp Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Number. Number. Post-primary .. .. •• 5,753 5,118 194 130 5,947 53 5,248 51 Commercial occupations — (a) Clerical (including typing) 17 13 5 2 22 * 15 (b) Shop and warehouse assistants 177 82 106 61 283 3 143 1 Trades — (a) Engineering . . . • 37 . . 22 .. 59 1 (b) Building .. • • 23 .. 15 .. 38 * c Other 96 28 55 16 151 1 44 1 Agricultural and pastoral .. 1,573 123 1,138 92 2,711 24 215 2 Other occupations .. • • 350 191 289 185 639 6 376 4 Home • ■ ..651 2,497 456 1,549 1,107 10 4,046 39 Not known ... •• •• 98 103 142 79 240 2 182 2 Totals, 1932 .. •• 8,775 8,155 2,422 2,114 11,197 100 10,269 100 Totals, 1931 .. •• 8,155 7,554 2,392 2,167 10,547 .. 9,721 .. Difference .. • • -j-620 —601 +30 —53 +650 .. —(—548 * Insignificant percentage.