E.—lβ

30

Summary of Results for the Whole District.

GREY.

On the whole, the results may be considered satisfactory; though the average percentage of passes in the seven pass-subjects is 78-3, as compared with 85-4 for 1890 ; for 1889 the average percentage was 76-8 ; and for 1888, 80-6. Taking into consideration all the circumstances beyond the control of teachers, the result must not be taken as indicating any diminution of effort or efficiency. Taking the percentage of failures as representing approximately the condition of a school, the results are as follows : Less than 10 per cent, of failures, nine schools; over 10 and less than 20 per cent., four schools ; 20 to 25 per cent., four schools ; three schools respectively 36, 43, and 55 per cent. The average percentage of scholars passing is 51-1, and of failures 15-5. Percentages must not, however, be accepted as infallible guides as to state of efficiency or otherwise. A careful analysis of the work of each school furnishes plenty of material for consideration and comment; and it is not going too far to say that a school having 0 per cent, of failures may be less sound in respect of real education than one having 20 per cent. Irregular attendance is a factor to be considered. There are various causes for this, the principal in this district being bad weather, but want of confidence in the teacher has sometimes an influence. The experience of the last few years has fully convinced me of the superiority of our young female teachers, trained in the district, in the management of small country schools, to those male teachers who have been engaged from outside. The first are more attentive to their duties and less eager for change, and the improvement they have effected in some of our small schools has been very pronounced. This is no doubt owing materially to the excellent training these young teachers receive in the early stages from the head mistress of the Greymouth School. Beading,—This subject still shows improvement, the number of good readers steadily increasing. Chambers's cards are used with good effect in the infant classes; and the excellent books for Standards

Classes. ' Presented. Absent. Excepted. Failed. Passed. Average Age of those that passed. Yrs. m. ibove Standard VI. Standard VI. V. IV. III. II. I. 'reparatory ... 133 369 534 731 715 768 684 1,835 11 20 20 19 19 14 2 16 23 27 12 5 41 73 110 43 34 27 315 425 578 626 703 638 14 4 12 10 12 4 11 0 10 0 8 10 Totals ... 5,769 103 85 328 3,285 11 6* * Mean of average age.

Ira, — Education Office, Greymouth, 19th February, 1892. I have the honour to present my report upon the examination for 1891. Twenty schools were examined. The following table gives information as to numbers presented, lasses, &c.:— 1890. 1891. toll-number on day of examination lumber of above already passed standard course lumber within standard classification ... (umber enrolled in standard classes present at examination [umber promoted to a higher standard 1,729 26 1,161 1,080 912 1,670 28 1,079 990 843 'ercentage of class-subjects— History ... Geography Elementary science and object-lessons 49-1 44-7 64-3 46 43 69 Mean percentage 59'3 53 .verage for additional subjects (possible total, 20) — Recitation Drill and exercises Singing ... Needlework Subject-matter 14-5 15 16-8 17-4 15-3 13 17-6 15-5 12-5 Mean average ... 15-9 14-8