H.—l

78

The numbers in the lower standards will be a larger proportion in the towns than in the country because the little ones can more easily get to school. It is important to record that the pupil-teacher system has satisfactorily resulted in the training of a number of teachers, who are now rendering efficient service either in the sole charge of schools or as assistants. In this respect several district schools have proved to be effective training schools. It may not be out of place in this report to notice that the question of mixing the sexes has lately been the subject of considerable discussion with reference to one or more smaller towns or larger districts, in which, in imitation of greater schools, and without sufficient reason for it, the boys and girls have hitherto been taught separately. There may be less reason for mixing the sexes in schools where the numbers are sufficient for the formation of separate classes, but, where there are so few in each class, their separate instruction incurs needless expense, while it also sacrifices the usual conditions of efficiency. On this head I may be permitted to say that educational statistics, whether English or colonial, show that the elder girls in primary schools get on best when taught by a master, and that females are the best teachers of younger children. I have taken some pains to work out statistics for my district, with the general result that the girls who attempt and fail are considerably older than the boys who pass, especially in the higher standards. I have during the year made several visits to the Burnham Industrial School and the Lyttelton Orphan Asylum, and have submitted full reports thereon. I respectfully recommend that provision should be made for the regular inspection of both of these important and interesting institutions, with regard to their general management and the efficient instruction of the inmates. I have, &c, J. P. Restell, John Inglis, Esq., Chairman of the Board. Inspector of Schools. Lyttelton Orphan Asylum.—lnspected April, 1878. Attendance. —On Roll: Boys, 57 ; girls and infants, 44: total, 101. Present: Boys, 57 ; girls and infants, 37 : total, 94. Average Attendance: Boys, 54 ; girls and infants, 37 : total, 91. The boys are instructed in one school of two rooms, by a schoolmaster and an assistant; the girls and infants (including boys) are taught in a separate room by the schoolmistress. The discipline and order of both schools are satisfactory. The orphans, owing to neglected education before their admission, and to other adverse circumstances, are still backward for their age as compared with the scholars of district schools ; but strenuous and successful efforts have been made to bring the proficiency nearer to the ordinary range, and a very creditable percentage of papers has been attained. The progress made since last inspection, and the accuracy of most of the work are highly commendable. Results. —Boys' School. A. Standards ... V. ... IV. 111. 11. I. Totals. Presented ... — ... 9 ... 18 ... 12 ... 8 ... 47 Passed ... — ... 8 ... 14 ... 8 ... 7 ... 37 Percentage of passes, 78. B. Present Classification in Standards— 8 ... 15 ... 12 ... 11 ... 11 ... 57 Giels and Infants. A. Standards ... ... IV. 111. 11. I. Totals. Presented ... ... 3 ... 7 ... 6 ... 6 ... 22 Passed ... ... 0 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5 ... 12 Percentage of passes, 54. B. Present Classification in Standards— ... 6 ... 8 ... 7 ... 16 ... 37 J. P. Restell, 16th May, 1878. Inspector of Schools.

Buenham Industrial School. Day School. —Inspected April, 1878. Number examined, 75. The more advanced scholars, 58 in number, are instructed by the schoolmaster in the main room, the backward ones and infants by an elder girl in a separate room under the occasional supervision of the master or matron. There is also an evening school for the older boys more constantly employed on industrial work. The school was inspected in 1877, and the scholars were classed in standards. They have been again classed on the same principle; and as the standard system affords a programme especially adapted to the guidance of an untrained master, as it is also the best record of present proficiency and test of progress, it is desirable that the lists should be forwarded to the schoolmaster. The scholars, owing to previous neglect, and the difficulties to be contended with in their instruction,|are mostly very backward for their age; but, making every allowance, tolerably fair progress has been made since last inspection.