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School Publications (1) Textbooks. —The Department is fully aware that the issue of hew textbooks Is an essential complement to the revised syllabuses in arithmetic and English. The preparation of textbooks in the Department is therefore proceeding rapidly. Unfortunately, the writing of the books has far outstripped the printing and binding •of them. This is due in large measure to post-war difficulties of staff and of supply of materials in the printing trade throughout the Dominion. As over 40,000 copies of each book are required, it will be realized that the printers are faced with a job that would be considered formidable even in normal times. Arithmetic textbooks up to and including that for Form I have been issued to .schools, along with a manual for infant teachers entitled Number in the Infant Room. These books have been well received. The Form II book has been in the hands of the printer for some time, and it is hoped that it will shortly be available to schools. Answer-books to all the arithmetic textbooks have been prepared, but these, too, are delayed by printing difficulties. English textbooks, based on the revised syllabus in written expression issued in the Education Gazette of the Ist February, 1946, have been prepared for Standards 1, 2, 3, and 4. As the Government Printer was unable to undertake the printing of these texts, tenders were invited from private firms. Only one tender was received, and the printing of the Standards 1, 2, and 3 books has been put in hand. Obviously, it will be •some time before the schools are fully supplied. A book entitled New Zealand To-day, suitable for Forms I and II to use in ■connection with the study of New Zealand geography, is also in course of preparation. (2) " School Journal." —Beginning with the February, 1946, issue the School ■Journal has been issued in four parts. A separate Journal is provided for each of Standards 1 and 2, the object being to effect a smoother transition than was possible previously from infant readers to the Journal. In addition, the Journal for Standards ■3 and 4 has been doubled in size. The regular despatch of the Journal has been affected by the shortage of female staff at the Government Printing Office, and it is only through the assistance given by training-college students working at the Printing Office in the -evenings that it has been possible to complete the despatch of each issue. (3) " Education Gazette—The policy of inviting contributions to the Education Gazette and paying for articles accepted has led to a large number of contributions from teachers on aspects of education and teaching practice in which they have specialized. The articles which have appeared, particularly those relating to social studies, general science, and nature-study, have been of considerable interest and value to teachers generally. Interesting Features of School Work (1) Physical Education. —The total specialist field staff is now 70, including organizers, assistant organizers, and additional assistants. Travelling conditions are becoming easier,, and a greater coverage is being obtained. Continued progress is reported from all districts, and the work, which is being placed on a sound basis, is one of the best features in the schools. More apparatus and equipment are being supplied, although supplies of some material are still limited. Special attention is being given to the teaching of swimming and life-saving, with good results. One of the smaller ■education districts reports that twenty-two learners' swimming-pools are in use. These pools are favoured by all educational authorities, as they afford a relatively inexpensive and safe means of teaching swimming. (2) Road Safety Instruction. —This work is shared by the teachers, officers of automobile associations, and of local bodies, and by the five road traffic instructors of the Transport Department, whose duties include the co-ordination and supervision of all the instruction. Good use is made of films., some of which have been prepared in New

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