E.—lβ

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-1b, Sess. II., 1891.]

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

AUCKLAND. Sib,— . . Auckland, Bth February, 1892. We have the honour to present our report for the year 1891. Two hundred and seventy schools were examined in standards, and two hundred and sixty-six were inspected. Some of the small and half-time schools were examined and inspected on the same day; some of those recently opened were not visited; and a few of the half-time schools, though examined in standards, were not inspected. The visit to the schools on the Great Barrier Island had to be postponed to a suitable date in the present year. The percentage of passes in standards is 479, the percentage of failures is 175. These figures show an improvement when compared with those of 1890, which were 45-2 and 19-7 respectively. Of the 270 schools examined, thirty-six, or about 13 per cent., were reported as showing unsatisfactory results at the annual examination.

Summary of Examination Results.

The following table will give some idea of the proficiency of the schools in the pass-subjects, as shown by the percentage of failures. For the purpose of comparison the schools have been arranged in eleven groups : — Schools. Percentage of Failures. Schools. Percentage of Failures. 44 ... ... ... oto 5 12 ... ... 31 to 35 35 ... ... ... 6to 10 9 ~. ... 36 to 40 48 ... ... ... 11 to 15 3 ... ... 41 to 45 44 ... ... ... 16 to 20 3 • ... . ... 46 to 50 35 ... ... ... 21 to 25 12 ... ... 51 and upwards. 25 ... ... ... 26 to 30 When expressing our opinion on the results obtained by any school at the annual examination, we have, as heretofore, carefully considered any circumstances likely to affect the progress of the scholars. We have taken into account the attendance of the children, the number of classes to be taught, and the teaching-power available. It appears to us that, though it would be manifestly wrong to permit, and therefore to encourage, a lower degree of proficiency as qualifying for a pass in a small school than in a large one, yet the work done in the small school may merit approval or even praise, though the percentage of failures may be higher and the percentage of passes lower I—E. Ib.

Presented. Average Age of those that passed. Classes. Absent. Excepted. Failed. Passed. Yrs. mos. Above Standard VI. Standard VI. V. „ IV. „ HI. II. IPreparatory... 84 736 1,746 2,623 3,237 3,249 2,992 8,152 25 100 145 176 115 90 22 81 149 184 158 99 173 528 628 520 245 217 516 1,037 1,701 2,357 2,731 2,586 14 4 13 6 12 7 11 6 10 2 8 10 Totals 22,819 651 693 2,311 10,928 11 10* * Mean of average age.