E.—2

APPENDIX D„

TRAINING OF TEACHERS.

No. 1. EXTRACT FROM THE THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. The four training colleges in the chief centres of population all had approximately their full number of students during the year. Of the 389 students in attendance 339 had already completed their course as pupil-teachers or probationers before entering the training college, or had obtained a University degree or taken a two-years course at an agricultural college (Division A students); forty-three had qualified for admission by passing the Matriculation or some higher University examination, but were without previous teaching experience (Division B students) ; and seven, although they had not qualified by examination, had been teaching in small schools for two years or more (Division C students). The number of the division first mentioned above has shown an increase of 20 per cent, during the year, this increase being compensated by a corresponding decrease in the other divisions. This is very satisfactory, and entirely in accord with the intentions of the Government. Of the total of 389 students, 131 were men and 258 were women. The following table shows the percentages for the past three years:— Percentages of Male and Female Students: Males. .Females. For the year 1909 .. .. .. .. .. 26-33 73-67 1910 .. .. .. .. .. 31-32 68-68 1911 .. .. .. .. .. 33-67 66-33 It will thus be seen that the proportion of men to women is gradually increasing, and in view of the fact that men on the average remain very much longer in the service than women, it is considered that the relative number of the sexes within the training colleges is such as fully to secure an adequate proportion of men on the teaching staffs of the schools-. For the teaching practice of students the normal practising schools forming part of the training college in each case are available. By regulation it is provided that each normal school shall include (a) a main school, organized as a district high school, and having an average attendance of not more than 450 pupils, and (b) a " model school," arranged on the lines of a small rural school, with an average attendance of thirty-five to forty. If the Minister approves, there may be (c) a second " model school," organized as a rural school with an average attendance of seventy to eighty, as a junior school with thirty-five to forty children of a standard not higher than S2, or as a rural school with thirty-five to forty children in attendance and under the charge of a sole teacher ; and (d) a junior kindergarten class containing not more than forty children between the ages of three and five. For the secondary department of the main school a maximum attendance of not more than fifty is

i—B. 2 (A PP . d.)