E.—2

1945 NE W ZEAL A N I)

EDUCATION: PRIMARY AND POST-PRIMARY EDUCATION [In continuation of E.-2 of 1944]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

Note. —Some of the tables have been omitted because the information or part of it can be obtained olsewhere. These tables are as follows, and the tables to which reference can be made are also given : Table A s—see5 —see Table E 2 in E.-l for median ages; Table A 9—see Table 0 1 in E.-l ; Table A 14 —Table E 5 in E.-l ; Table B 2—see Table E 6 in E.-l ; Table D 2—see Table E 3 in E.-l ; Table D 4 see Table N in E.-l ; Table E 2—see Table D in E.-l ; Table -T 2—see Table E 5 in E.-l. REPORT OF THE CHIEF INSPECTOR OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS (Mr. G. E. OVERTON) FOR THE YEAR 1944 Sir, — 1 have the honour to present the following report on the primary schools in New Zealand for the year ending 31st December, 1944 : — War Conditions. —The teaching service has made a generous contribution to the man-power of the Armed Forces, up to 70 per cent, of the total male personnel. To pretend that this withdrawal of men from the education service has had little effect on the schools would be a poor tribute to the teachers in the Forces. It is a matter for satisfaction, however, to record that the effect on the schools has not been as serious as was anticipated. Our troubles in New Zealand, moreover, are smaller than those in other lands. In one large State of Australia over two hundred country schools have been closed for the want of teachers. The teaching staffs, in general, have shown commendable devotion and skill. Many married women have returned to the service, and many young women have accepted positions in remote country schools, normally staffed by men. In numbers of cases Inspectors report considerable strain arising in the case of women teachers doing the work of men. With the war position becoming easier, it should be possible to release from the Forces teachers who are ineligible or unfit for overseas service or who have returned after serving three or more years overseas. It must be remembered that there is practically no recruitment of young men teachers to the teaching service, as all fit men on completion of their training as teachers, and sometimes before completion, are drafted into the Forces. The policy laid down early in the war with respect to safeguarding the interests of soldier teachers and students has been successfully followed, and many returned men have expressed appreciation of what has been done. The guiding principle has been to place the teacher as closely as possible at the stage in his professional career that ho would have reached if military service had not intervened. Military service counts as teaching service for purposes of salary increments, grading, and superannuation. Grading is safeguarded by a system of automatic increases. General or specific applications for positions or for promotion may be lodged, and many teachers in their absence have received appointments. Concessions in examination requirements for teachers' certificates are granted. To assist in the rehabilitation of returned men, refresher courses are provided so that observation and practice can be undertaken at teachers' training colleges or at selected schools, permanent rates of salary being payable during the period of the courses. Various benefits for University studies ranging from cost of fees and books to full-time bursaries with payments up to £5 ss. per week during the college year as well as fees are provided through the Rehabilitation Board. Similar facilities for selected students to pursue their studies overseas are also available. Some teachers on returning may find it difficult to settle down, and when they express a wish to resign, their resignations may be held over for twelve months to enable them to make up their minds whether they desire to leave the profession permanently. Standards of Work. During the past two years there has been considerable criticism of the standard of attainment in the essential skills of English and arithmetic. There is some deterioration reported in some districts, while in others the level of attainment is regarded as being maintained or even rising. A careful analysis of the whole situation reveals no cause for concern, but a need for constant care to obtain from the pupils the best they can achieve according to their respective abilities. Inspectors throughout all districts report that during the past year they have given special attention to English and arithmetic. As mentioned previously, the withdrawal of so many men from the service has added greatly to the difficulties of the schools. Another handicap has been the inability to reduce the size of classes in our larger schools. There are enough trained teachers in the Forces without permanent positions to bring into operation a liberal staffing schedule for this purpose, and thus ensure that pupils are given adequate individual attention. A further difficulty due to prevailing conditions has been experienced in the compiling and issuing of new text-books in English and arithmetic, and also in manufacturing or procuring apparatus and equipment used in modern teaching.