E.—IB

1884. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS. [In Continuation of E.-1b, 1883.]

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

[It has not been thought necessary to print in all cases the tables, and those portions of the reports that relate only to particular schools.]

AUCKLAND Sic, — Auckland, March, 1884. I have the honour to submit, in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, the report for the year ended 31st December, 1883. The following table shows the number of primary schools in the education district, and the attendance of pupils : —

It will be seen that the number of pupils attending the schools is steadily increasing. Twelve scholarships were advertised for competition in December Six of these scholarships were won by girls, who do not receive so large a money allowance as boys. This enabled the Board to award four other scholarships, making sixteen in all. The Board have decided to hold the examination for scholarships in August, instead of December, of 1884. This will enable the winners to enter the secondary schools at the beginning of their first term, instead of their second as hitherto. The teachers' examination will most likely take place in December, and it is of advantage that the two examinations should not be held at the same time. The following table shows the result of the standard examinations for the past year:—

The Board's regulation that all pupils who had reached the age of eight years, and had made 250 attendances or more from the date of the previous examination, should be presented for examination, came into force in January, 1883. This regulation has, of course, to some extent affected the percentage of passes.

I—E. Iβ.

Quarter ending Number of Schools. Roll-Numi ier. Average Attendance, March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 204 210 213 217 M. 8,468 8,637 8,671 8,785 F 8,023 8,209 8,290 8,335 Total. 16,491 16,846 16,961 17,120 M. 6,656 6,742 6,781 6,941 E. 6,164 6,283 6,341 6,407 Total, 12,820 13,025 13,122 13,348

Examined. Passed. Failed. Percentage of Passes. Average Age at Time of Passing. Standard I. Standard II. Standard III. Standard IV Standard V Standard VI. 2,513 2,266 1,796 1,026 542 184 1,851 1,543 967 620 351 117 662 723 829 406 191 67 73-6 68 53-8 60-4 64-7 63-5 Years. 9-2 10 11-98 12-8 14 15 Totals 8,327 5,449 2,878 65-4