E.—l

No return is made giving the number of pupils commencing a post-primary course who in the previous year gained a proficiency certificate as pupils in a public school. It will be observed, however, that the great majority of pupils who enter post-primary schools do so from public schools. To arrive at some approximate estimate as to the extent to which the gaining of a proficiency certificate influences the question as to whether a post-primary course is to be followed or not, the following figures have been grouped as a basis for comparison. It will be observed that the number of pupils who commence a post-primary course expressed as a percentage of the pupils who pass for a proficiency certificate in a previous year is variable, the factors contributing to this variation no doubt being the availability of suitable avenues of employment for boys, especially on completion of their primary-school course.

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 1933 27 per cent, and in 1934 24 per cent, of those commencing a postprimary course did so under the age of thirteen years.

19

Year of commencing post-primary course .. 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. 1934. Number of proficiency passes in previous 17,465 17,372 14,128 16,549 16,633 year in public primary schools and intermediate schools and departments Number of pupils who commenced a post- 12,506 12,055 11,019 11,637 12,143 primary course in State schools and who came from public primary schools or intermediate schoois and departments Percentage .. .. .. ■ • 72 69 78 70 73

Age at which Post-primary Course commenced. Total Numbers commencing Under 12 12 Yea rs. 13 Years. 14 Years. 15 Years Years. and over. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys, j Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys, j Girls. Secondary .. 48 63 576 739 1,267 1,146 596 482 216 832,703 2,513 Combined .. 5 13 67 85 162 156 120 55 58 13 412 322 Technical.. .. 28 21 395 414 1,035 918 720 472 254 1222,432 1,947 District high .. 26 28 260 319 532 550 274 211 96 611,188 1,169 Totals—1934 .. 107 125 1,298 1,557 2,996 2,770 1,710 1,220 624 2796,735 5,951 1933 .. 118 130 1,474 1,537 2,610 2,371 1,722 1,161 629 3006,553 5,499 Diflerence .. -11 -5 -176 +20 +386 +399 -12 +59 -5 -21 +182 +452