E.—2.

Appendix C.

Table VIII. The information contained in the following table is, we think, of particular interest, as showing that really a very small percentage of our pupils fail to reach or to pass Standard VI. The figures given were obtained directly from the schools, and not by deduction from other returns : — Number of pupils who during 1912 left school — Pupils. (a.) Without passing Standard IV .. .. .. 124 (b.) After passing Standard IV, but without passing Standard V 159 (c.) After passing Standard V, but without passing Standard VI 186 These figures do not indicate that the provisions of the Truancy Act are being evaded. In only a few cases, invalid children for the most part, did pupils leave before reaching the age of fourteen years. The figures show that approximately 7 per cent, of the pupils who entered Standard I left before passing Standard IV, 9 per cent, before passing Standard V, and 11 per cent, before passing Standard VI. The last percentage includes those who presented themselves at, but failed to pass, the examination ; if these be excluded, we find that about 5 per cent, pass Standard V, but do not spend a full year in Standard VI. Scholarship Examinations. Eighty-seven candidates presented themselves at the Junior Scholarship Examination, and oj i hese, fifty-eight, or 66-6 per cent., passed, and twenty-two, or nearly 40 per cent, of those who qualified, passed with credit—that is, gained at least 60 per cent, of the total possible marks. The latter result is satisfactory, inasmuch as it shows that in this department of work Wanganui holds its own among the larger education districts. It is, however, hardly satisfactory that only twenty-five schools entered the lists, and still less satisfactory that of these only two were below Grade IV. It is very disappointing that the small schools, with a Standard VI roll of approximately 133, can produce not a single qualified candidate. Had there been one such candidate he would have secured a Junior National Scholarship. [Tables IX and IXa, being of purely local interest, are not reprinted.]

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS.—SECONDARY DEPARTMENTS. Table X.

From the above table it appears that 286 pupils in all attended the secondary classes in the district high schools, but of this number about 25 per cent, used the classes merely as a stop-gap, and with no earnest intention. This is not as it should be, and it is a question whether parents sending pupils to these classes should not be required to enter into some sort of bond to keep their children at least a year in the department. It is, however, noteworthy that about 33 per cent, of those who gained proficiency certificates at the end of 1911 elected to spend a year or more in the District High School secondary department, and Table VIII shows that at least 30 per cent, enter high schools and technical schools. It follows, therefore, that fully 63 per cent., andjprobably more, of the pupils passing Standard VI move into the secondary classes. It is to be remembered, too, that these are for the most part the best pupils ; no wonder, therefore, merchants and others who employ the rest are not well pleased with their share.

Table XI. —Courses of Instruction.

A comparison with the corresponding table given the previous year shows that the practical course (rural and domestic) is gaining in popularity.

XIV

[Summary only reprinted.] Admitted during 1912 Number of Pupils who during 1912 were spending „ „ fTOm their Number wh AVer , a 9U! " "~ spent less than Town Country w ' Second Year Fourth One Yea "-- Schools. Schools. Year. Year. I 227-8 147 65 170 77 29 10 72

[Summary only reprinted.] Number of Pupils who during 1912 took the Number of Pupils who did not complete a Year in the Matriculation and Civil Farm or Domestio Servioe Junior Course. Course. Examination Course. Practioal Course. Totals .. 129 162 39 60