E.—l.

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 1934 and in 1935 24 per cent, of those commencing a post-primary 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 1935.

19

Year of commencing post-primary course .. 1931. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. Number of proficiency passes in previous 17,372 14,128 16,549 16,633 17,286 year in public primary schools and intermediate schools and departments Number of pupils who commenced a post- 12,055 11,019 11,637 12,143 12,632 primary course in State schools and who came from public primary schools or intermediate schools and departments Percentage .. .. .. .. 69 78 70 73 73 [

Age at which Post-primary Course commenced. Total Numbers commencing TT l o i E \r Post-primary Under 12 12 Yea rs. 13 Years. 14 Years. 15 Years Edu^tion / Years. and over. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. I i Secondary .. 41 56 610 725 1,210 1,208 634 528 199 95 2,694 2,612 Combined .. 4 7 81 90 190 162 128 71 50 14 453 344 Technical •■ 20 20 342 375 986 861 875 601 338 151 2,561 2,008 District high .. 29 38 315 344 573 562 286 219 85 54 1,288 1,217 Totals—1935 .. 94 121 1,348 1,534 2,959 2,793 1,923 1,419 672 314 6,996 6,181 1934 .. 107 125 1,298 1,557 2,996 2,770 1,710 1,220 624 279 6,735 5,951 Difierence .. -13 -4 +50 -23 -37 +23 +213 +199 +48 +35 +261 +230

Totals. Had passed Had not passed Form II. Form II. Destination. B °y s - Girls - * ' " —— ■ — j " Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Number. Number. Postprimary .. .. .. 6,401 5,928 187 133 6,588 57 6,061 57 Commercial occupations — (a) Clerical (including typing) 37 25 5 1 42 * 26 * (b) Shop and warehouse assistants 309 161 141 105 450 4 266 3 Trades — (a) Engineering .. Ill 40 3 151 1 3 * (b) Building .. .. .. 61 35 1 96 1 1 * (c) Other .. .. .. 166 41 106 32 272 2 73 1 Agricultural and pastoral .. 1,268 84 1,113 61 2,381 21 145 1 Other occupations . . .. 370 323 337 296 707 6 619 6 Home .. .; .. 339 1,957 335 1,286 674 6 3,243 31 Not known .. .. .. 69 58 96 87 165 2 145 1 Totals, 1935 ... .. 9,131 8,577 2,395 2,005 11,526 100 '10,582 100 Totals, 1934 .. .. 9,184 8,796 2,650 2,035 11,834 .. 10,831 DiSerence ._. .. .. —53 —219 —255 —30 —308 .. —249 * Insignificant percentage.