b.—a.

Appendix C.

The following is the summary for Roman Catholic schools : —

In 1910 the roll number of our public schools was 5,794, Standards 1 to VII having 3,596 pupils, and the preparatory 7 classes 2,098, the percentage of the roll in the preparatory classes being 368, as compared with 37"2 for the schools of the Dominion as a whole. For the year just ended the roll-number is 5,769, Standards I to VII having 3,673 pupils, and the preparatory classes 2,096, the percentage of the roll in the preparatory classes being 363. While the average age of the pupils in the preparatory classes —viz., seven years —holds good for our schools, either taken as a whole or taken in two groups, one of which comprises the seven largest schools, there is a striking difference between the two groups when we come to look at the percentage of the roll in the preparatory classes. For the seven largest schools this is 383, and for the rest of the schools it is 34; and, further, this percentage rises to 438 in the three Timaru schools. As was pointed out last year, the high percentage of preparatory pupils in the town schools is not to be regarded as arising from a disposition to keep the children an unduly long time from entering on their standard course: it is simply an indication that the proportion of children between five and eight years of age is larger in the towns than in the country. The average age of candidates for proficiency 7 is this year fourteen years, as compared, with fourteen years one month for last year. We do not consider it as particularly desirable that this average should be largely reduced. The chief reason for its reduction is that it would enable those who gain proficiency certificates to enter on their secondary course earlier; but the majority of the primary 7 scholars do not intend to go through a course at a secondary school, and it is decidedly advantageous that we should keep such children at school until they reach the age of fourteen years. It is well to remember that those that' are likely to take full advantage of the higher education provided in secondary schools qualify for entrance well under the average age. In our estimate of their efficiency we group the schools as follows : Good to very good, forty-eight schools, with 4,856 pupils; satisfactory, twenty-four schools, with 561 pupils; fair, eight schools, with 258 pupils; moderate, three schools, with 94 pupils Of a total of eightythree schools reported on, seventy-two, with 5,417 pupils, are in a satisfactory condition, the remaining eleven schools, with 352 pupils, ranking below satisfactory. The corresponding figures last year were sixty-five schools, with 5,312 pupils, and sixteen schools, with 379 pupils. The state of the schools as disclosed in this general estimate shows a distinct advance in efficiency, and it is with pleasure that we direct attention to it. At the same time, we regret to point out that three of the schools marked " fair " belong to Grade IV—that is, schools taught by 7 a master and an assistant —and we should be sorry to find them a second time in this position, as it would be hard to frame any valid excuse for their continued inefficiency. The examination of the pupils of Standard VI was conducted by us in the beginning of December, the examination being held at nine centres. The candidates at Hakataramea, Hakataramea Valley, and Waihaorunga were examined by the Inspector in their own schools. Of the 442 candidates who entered for the examination, 436 were present, 274 gained certificates of proficiency, and ninety-eight gained certificates of competency, the percentage of passes for the higher certificate being C2'B, and for the lower 225. The corresponding percentages last year were 625 and 235. From the Roman Catholic schools thirty-four were presented, thirty-one were present, twenty-one gained certificates of proficiency, and eight gained certificates of competency. The average age of candidates from the public schools was fourteen years, and from the Catholic schools fourteen years four months. In the following notes we deal with some of the subjects taught in the schools : — Steady 7 improvement continues to be made in reading. There is much more reading overtaken in the infant and lower standard classes than was the case a few years ago, and the variety and attractiveness of the matter in the supplementary reading-books have awakened a love for reading in many children to whom the more rigid and formal reading-lesson of former days was a weary task. The wider supply of matter that is easy to read and easy to comprehend gives the child confidence and pleasure, and with skilful management he is led to talk freely of what he has read. In the higher classes there is now less difficulty in winning something approaching a clearly expressed statement that will show that what has been read has been understood. We were pleased to find much improvement in this respect in our examination of Sixth Standard pupils, towards whose pass in reading evidence of the comprehension of what has been lead

vii—E. 2 (App. c)

XVIII

Classes. Number on Roll. Present at the Average Age Annual of the Pupils Examination. in each Class. Standard VII VI V IV III II I 12 35 44 60 66 62 75 143 12 30 44 57 62 56 73 135 Yrs. mos. 15 8 14 4 13 6 12 7 11 7 10 7 9 0 6 9 'reparatory Totals ... 497 469 10 3