E.-lB

6

nine for the year. Of the five schools not examined, Foxton was closed so frequently and for so long (at one time for just a whole quarter), owing to diphtheria being very prevalent, that nothing would have been gained by the examination of the pupils ; while Hurleyville and Long Acre Valley were opened only in August, and Ohingaiti only in September. Of the ninety schools, seven were examined in May, and the remaining eighty-three between the 25th July and the 15th December. On the days appointed for the examination there were 7,827 pupils (4,101 boys and 3,726 girls) on the schook-rolls, of whom 5,043, or 64-4 per cent., were presented in the six standards; 2,752 were in the preparatory classes; and 32 had already passed Standard VI. Of the 5,043 presented in standards, 4,655, or 92-3 per cent., attended and were examined, 388 were absent, 358 were oxcepted (that is, failed, but, not having made half the possible attendances during the three quarters preceding the quarter in which the examinations were held, the failures were not counted against the schools), 972 failed, and 3,325 passed the requirements and were promoted. Of the 388 absentees, Wanganui Boys' and Girls' Schools, and Palmerston, Campbell Street, and Terrace End Schools were responsible for no fewer than 88. In the following tables, Table A gives a condensed summary of the examination results for the past two years, while Table B gives the particulars of results in each standard, and the average ages of children that passed in each standard. Table C, which gives every information with regard to individual schools, has not been printed, but it may be seen at the Board's office.

Table A.

Table B.

The most noticeable feature brought to light by the foregoing figures is the very large increase in the number of exceptions, and the by no means inconsiderable increase in the number of absentees. There can, however, be no doubt that such increases were brought about by the diphtheria epidemic

1891. 1892. 1. Presented in Standards I. to VI. inclusive 2. Preparatory class ... 3. Above Standard VI. 4,734 2,929 32 5,043 2,752 32 4. Number on rolls on days of examination 7,695 7,827 5. Percentage of roll-number presented in Standards I. to VI. inclusive 6. Absent ... 7. Bxcepted... 8. Failed ... 9. Passed 61-5 300 239 931 3,264 64-4 388 358 972 3,325 .0. Percentage of passes, calculated on roll-number (4) .1. Percentage of failures „ 42-6 22-2 42-48 62-92

Number of Schools examined in each Standard. Standards. Presented. Absent. cepted. Mea - Passed. Percentage of Failures. Average Age of thoso that passed. Yrs. mos. 18 51 72 81 86 84 90 90 Above Standard VI. Standard VI. V. IV. „ III. II. I. Preparatory 32 226 493 833 1,117 1,117 1,257 2.752 17 35 77 85 80 94 9 30 70 91 76 82 44 149 240 282 114 143 156 279 446 659 847 938 22-0 34-8 34-9 29-9 11-8 13-2 14 1 13 7 12 9 11 9 10 7 9 5 * 7,827 388 358 972 3,325 22-6 12 0+ * Number of schools examined in one standard or more, 90. t Mean.

The following fi: ires for t e past twi years wi. prove n: teresting:— Year. Presented in Standards. Per cent, of Boll. No. Presented. Absent. Examined. Excepted. Failed. Passed. Per Cent, of Failures. 1892 1891 ! L 5,043 4,734 64-4 61-5 388 300 4,655 4,434 358 239 972 931 3,325 3,264 22-6 22-2 Increase for 1892 309 2-9 88 221 119 41 61 04