E.—2.

[Appendix C.

progressive improvement not iced in the schemes. An incoming teacher is sometimes seriously hampered by the omission of his predecessor to leave the scheme behind. A considerable number of teachers showed evident interest in creating an attractive environment for the pupils —some by wall-decoration and tastefully arranged collections of natural objects within, and others by ground-improvement without. Three schools were found with a shorter school-day than that provided [or in the regulations of the Board. In Very few cases were the registers inaccurate. Buildings, Grounds, and Fences. —A few of the household schools are very cold in winter, some are damp and some are dark. The Board has introduced stoves into several of its own schools as a more efficient method of heating. Improved teaching-conditions have been furnished by the new buildings erected at Kaituna, Jordan, Deep Creek, Redwoodtown, Pelorus Bridge, and the additions to Picton and Marlboroughtown. It is probable that some of the hesitation on the part of teachers to go into country places has been due to the unsuitable residences provided, or to uncomfortable conditions where there was no official residence. It is therefore very satisfactory to find that the Department is now pursuing a more liberal policy. A large number of dual desks have been issued during the past year. Attendance. —There were relatively few epidemics during 1912, the chief trouble being mumps. The average attendance was not quite so high as for the previous year, but there were fewer " excepted " half-days. The good attendance was attained with practically no compulsion. There were during the year only fourteen informations laid by the Truant Officers. Twenty-seven schools registered 420 half-days or more ; forty-seven attained 410 ; and sixty reached 400. There is probably some explanation for the failure of the following schools to register 400 half-days : Black Rock (398), Endeavour Inlet (389), Hakahaka (388), Linkwater (399),fcTetley Brook (394), Wairau Pa (371), Waireka (379). Examination and Classification. —The following summary is taken from my report to the Education Department: —

There is a steady though small increase in the total roll. The Standard VI pupils in remote schools were tested during the inspection visit. 175 pupils were found on the roll of Standard VI during the year. Of these, 173 were examined, ninety-nine gained proficiency certificates, and twenty-three gained competency. The number of certificates awarded to 171 candidates in 1911 were ninety-seven proficiency, twenty-eight competency. Twelve schools were place in the " good " class last year; eight schools, two of them graded, were classed " weak." The head teachers promote the. pupils from class to class, but leaving-certificates are awarded by the Inspector. The examination of the head teachers is held at the close of the school year in December; after it duplicate schedules are forwarded**to the Board. Those responsible should note that each year much time is occupied in the office in repairing errors and omissions in the schedules.

Classification of Teachers.

Teachers' Certificate Classes. —The Education Department made a grant in aid of classes for such uncertificated teachers as could come to a convenient centre for tuition, and of correspondence classes

XXVI

Standard VII VI V IV III II I Preparatory Classes. N,,mb ,7 on Roll. 25 153 ... 207 302 317 298 293 795 Present at ! Average Age of Annual Pupils in Examination. each Class. Yrs. mos. 23 14 3 149 14 0 199 13 3 293 12 3 307 11 1 286 10 2 284 9 0 762 7 0 Totals for 1912 1911 2,390 2,335 2,303 2,259 9 11 9 11 i I

Certificated. T ieensed UneertifiLicensea. cated Total. Head teachers Sole teachers Assistants Totals .. Pupil-teachers Probationers Cookery and woodwork instructors Part-time instructors (dairy science, hygiene) 13 14 13 40 .. I 1 1 (17 11 13 82 25 2 78 120 3 4 2 2 Grand totals ..I 40 78 131