E.—2.

[Appendix 0.

In a number of cases the schemes of work omitted mention of some subjects that were, in fact, taught—usually moral instruction, health, temperance, singing, needlework, drill. The former tkree need not appear on the time-table, but the scheme of work should indicate how they are dealt with. I requested the teachers to include sample schemes among the exhibits sent to the summer school, but none were forthcoming. This was due to diffidence, for, although there is -much crudity in individual schemes, a number are commendably well arranged, clearly detailed, and reveal a modern treatment and progressive attitude. Attendance certificates rightly employed are a valuable incentive, and omission to apply for them should not occur where they have been fairly won. The furniture is usually carefully preserved, and the rooms made neat and attractive. Books of the free issue were sometimes in disrepair; a covering of cloth would make them last longer. The average picture displayed on the school walls is not yet of an adequate standard of taste; there is here an opportunity not only for the teacher but for the generosity of pupils and citizens. In several of the smaller schools inspection is rather a matter of advice than of criticism. Buildings, Grounds, and Fences. —[Notes in detail not printed]* New schools are supplied with dual desks, and a good many of the older desks in other schools have been superseded by duals, Havelock and Picton being the largest schools supplied. Hyloplate continues to displace the old cumbersome blackboard and easel, and incidentally increases the amount of floor-space which, under the Department's regulations, is not by any means too generous. Attendance.—Epidemics were very prevalent last year; sometimes three or four kinds of disease attacked a school at one time : thus at Wairau Pa the children suffered from measles, mumps, typhoid, and pneumonia. Other troubles were whooping-cough, chicken-pox, and influenza. In a preparatory class at Blenheim, with an enrolment of about sixty, only seven pupils escaped measles. Floods also seriously affected the schools of the Lower Wairau region, Blenheim and Riverlands being affected from this cause for weeks. The result was that, although the standard of duty was 420 half-days for the year, only ten schools reached the standard. Forty-four schools were open 400 half-days; of these, thirty-six recorded 90 per cent, of attendance. That disease and floods were responsible for the absence of the children is indicated by the fact that omitting "excepted" half-days the average attendance for the year is a record for the district. The pupils evidently did their best to make up for lost time. Mr. Thomas, Truant Officer, reports: Informations, 51; convictions, 48; fines, £5 195.; costs, £1 Is. By regulation of the Department, Standard VI is now the standard of exemption. Examination and Classification. —The following table is extracted from my return to the Education Department. It summarizes enrolment at the end of the year.

Some teachers in compiling their schedules of enrolment in December represent as still in Standard VI pupils who have passed out of that standard by gaining the proficiency certificate in the course of the year. This was done in the case of thirteen pupils whom I have transferred to Standard VII. The average age of.Standard VI, including those thirteen pupils, would still have been fourteen years. The roll-number in Standard VI is considerably less than that for the previous year (187). All the other classes except Class P show increase. Although the number in Standard VI is low for Marlborough, it is above the average for the Dominion. In several schools the pupils are late in escaping from Class P. It should be the exception to find a child eight years of age in that class. In some schools there is a waste of time due to not treating the pupils seriously at that stage. The methods adopted may be different from those employed in higher classes— e.g., there may be more of education through play—but still the educational purpose must be always in the background. Handwork, in addition to cultivating the child's manipulative powers, his observing faculties, and his sense of cause and effect, should, for those very reasons, so brighten his general intelligence and throw so much interest into his work that he is smoothly and quickly led along the educational highway. A teacher who altogether omits handwork thereby proves incapacity, for it is a valuable aid, and should not be neglected; his course is not so interesting to the child as it should be. The school in this district that uses handwork most wisely has also maintained its place among the "good " schools for general excellence in the ordinary subjects, and successfully prepared for scholarships pupils from its highest standard.

♦References to individual schools have in most instances been omitted as of purely local interest.

XXVIII

Glasses. Number on Roll. Present at Annual Examination. Average Ago of Pupils in each Class. Standard VII VI V IV III II I 36 155 215 253 328 273 301 774 27 152 209 246 319 267 295 744 Yrs. mos. 14 10 14 0 13 3 12 4 11 2 10 1 9 0 7 0 Preparatory Totals for 1911 „ 1910 2,335 2,293 2,259 2,206 9 11 10 0