E.—lβ

1896. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-1b, 1895.]

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

AUCKLAND. Sic, — Education Office, Auckland, 6th March, 1896. I have the honour to submit the usual report for the year 1895. At the close of the year there were in operation 332 schools, or six more than at the end of last year. Of these 327 were examined. Those not examined were the following: Mokau, Pukekawa, Upper Waihou, Otumoetai, and Whangaripo. Of these, all but Mokau were opened towards the close of the year, and, except in the case of Pukekawa, after the inspection and examination of the neighbouring schools were completed. Pukekawa was inspected instead of being examined, because none of the pupils were ready for examination in the standards. Three hundred and twenty schools were inspected in the course of the year. Of the remainder, four were visited in due course and found closed; three were temporarily closed when the neighbouring schools were inspected; four were opened for the first time after the inspection was completed ; and one (Mokau*) was not visited for inspection. The following table shows in summary the examination results for the year : —

These figures show for the year an increase of 470 in the number of pupils presented, and an increase of 1,464 in the number of pupils that passed in one or other of the standards. Last year somewhat more than 79 per cent, of the pupils examined in standards passed; this year nearly 86 per cent, have passed. The percentage of pupils that were successful in passing has thus risen more than 6 per cent, since last year, and nearly 9 per cent, in the last two years. Head teachers have this year passed in Standards I. and 11. a somewhat higher proportion than heretofore of the pupils they have examined—viz., 95 and 90 per cent., instead of 92 and 86 per cent., in Standards I. and 11. respectively. In Standards 111., IV., V., and VI. the percentages of passes in standards were 84, 77, 78, and 88. The comparative frequency of failures in Standards IV. and V. is mainly due to weakness in dictation, composition, and geography. On the whole, the results of the standard examinations afford evidence of considerable improvement in the teaching of the pass-subjects.

• This school, which it takes a long time to reach, has been inspected and examined since the beginning of this year (1896). t Mean of average age.

1-E. Iβ.

Classes. Presented. Present. I Passed. Average Age of those that passed. Above Standard VI. Standard VI. V. IV. „ III. II. I. Preparatory 221 1,132 1,986 3,289 3,810 3,707 3,347 8,392 1,087 1,881 3,137 3,655 3,559 3,236 954 1,464 2,405 3,059 3,217 3,085 Yrs. mos. 14 4 13 5 .12 6 11 5 10 3 9 1 Totals 25,884 16,555 14,184 11 10|