B.—lB

1908. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: COUNTRY PRIMARY SCHOOLS (PARTICULARS RELATING TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the Ist July, 1908. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return showing (1) the number of country primary schools to whiob settlers have been asked to contribute towards the upkeep of the school, in consequence of the small number of children in attendance; (2) the educational status possessed by each teacher where such contributions are made ; and (3) the average attendance at each school where settlers have contributed to prevent the school being closed."—(Mr. Platman.)

Return.

iompi rom in: tormai iion lupp] upphed by Ki lei .ucation Boards.) (i) Number of Country Primary Schools to Upkeep of which Settlers have contributed. (2) (3) Education District. Educational Status possessed by Teachers where such Contributions are made. Average Attendance at each School where Settlers have contributed to prevent closing School. Kemarks. (Extracts from memoranda received from Education Boards.) Certi- Uncerticated. tiflcated. Auckland .. Paianaki Wanganui Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil The number of country primary schools to which settlers have been asked to contribute towards the upkeep, in consequence of the small number of children in attendance, is none. Sixty schools, however, have been held in privately owned buildings, for the use of which no rent has been paid by the Department or by the Board. Some of the teachers of the small schools get board and lodging at a reduced rate. The Board's regulations require the salary of male teachers in schools with an average attendance exceeding seven to be made up to not less than £100 per annum if the teacher is certificated, and to not less than £90 per annum if the teacher is uncertificated. The salary of a female teacher of a school of the same size must be made up to not less than £75 per annum if the teacher is certifioated, and, if the teacher is uncertificated, to not less than £67 10s. per annum. In several cases the Board has suspended the regulations in regard to certain schools, and allowed the teacher to make the best arrangement possible. In the majority of cases the settlers provide aooommodation free, or make a small charge. The Board has no definite information concerning payment by settlers to teachers of small country schools. The teachers themselves are expected to apply for and obtain the money from the settlers. In nearly every case, if not in every case, the teacher is uncertificated.