A—3

Regular classes for all Maori teachers are held in Rarotonga in an effort to raise the general standard of the teaching service. In September a week's refresher course in physical education and music was held, the instructors being members of the European teaching staff. The temporary plan for manual training, pending the completion of Tereora Training College, is almost complete, and the domestic-science courses at Aorangi have commenced. This latter course provides instruction in cooking, laundry, and housecraft for 132 girls in Grades 7 and 8 from five Rarotongan village schools and 16 female student teachers. The scheme will be extended to other schools as soon as transport arrangements can be made. The tools necessary for the woodwork scheme have arrived, and preparations for this instruction are being made. It is anticipated that a start will be made in June, 1949. The statistics of enrolments show an increase in the school population of 277 and are given below : —-

19

Eoll Numbers. Island. School. 1944. 1945. 1946. 1947. 194S. (a) Government Schools Rarotonga Avarua (including European 432 | 437 502 503 558 class) Arorangi 280 281 269 276 323 Ngatangiia 216 205 230 230 266 Titikaveka - 188 190 199 212 217 Aitutaki Araura 562 593 604 641 679 Atiu Atiu 204 198 221 221 255 Mangaia Oneroa 218 238 270 276 288 Ivirua 106 138 146 160 172 Tamarua 68 77 79 -75 95 Mauke Mauke 172 189 177 185 218 Pukapuka Pukapuka 143 118 127 179 166 Totals 2,589 2,664 2,824 2,958 3,237 (b) London Missionary Society Schools Mitiaro Mitiaro 38 64 22 42 56 Manihiki .. Tukao 22 18 19 20 31 Tauhunu 52 44 45 77 65 Rakahanga Rakahanga 64 64 114 102 62 Penrhyn Omoka 89 122 115 81 48 Tetautua 18 45 36 48 55 Palmerston Palmerston 21 17 20 17 14 Totals 304 374 371 387 331 (c) Roman Catholic I [ISSION Si OHOOLS Rarbtonga St. Joseph's Convent 169 165 165 193 222 Atiu Atiu Catholic 58 59 71 68 71 Mauke Mauke Catholic 43 37 41 46 41 Manihiki Tukao Catholic 20 20 22 20 17 Tauhunu Catholic 8 8 8 8 18 Rakahanga Rakahanga Catholic ' .. 8 8 12 20 20 Penrhyn .. Omoka Catholic 20 Totals 306 297 319 355 409 Grand totals 3,199 3,335 3,514 3,700 3,977