Appendix CI

XLI

E.—2.

Of seventy-one pupils on the roll of the Sixth Standard, forty-nine obtained proficiency certificates and fifteen competency certificates. The respective percentages are sixty-nine and twenty-one. Of the 10 per cent, that failed to obtain the official recognition, several were working in a lower standard in arithmetic. The high percentage of proficiency certificates is partly due to close supervision of methods and classification, and partly to the absence of special causes of irregularity in the attendance. Where, as in this district, nearly every pupil applies himself for a full school year, without interruption through change of school, the failures should be comparatively few. It is pleasing to recognize the uniformity with which discipline and an earnest spirit of work are maintained in the schools of the district; and it is proper that the influence of the teachers should receive its tribute. Moral training is not so much an individual branch of study as a force acting through all the teaching. Direct instruction in morality may be of value, but it cannot take the place of the indirect influence of parents and teachers. Ethical training is best accomplished under conditions of effective discipline ; the spirit of voluntary endeavour and self-respect is the best atmosphere in which it can succeed. No one with any knowledge of child-life will deny the great moral benefit bestowed by school training, or withhold the respect due to the members of the teaching staff for their earnestness, zeal, and integrity. The five Roman Catholic schools of the district are subject to the same inspection and system of classification as are the public schools. Each has followed the detailed course issued during the year, and has applied the same tests. The result of the efforts of the teachers ranges from satisfactory to very good, and has been accompanied by valuable moral training and discipline. I have, &c, The Chairman, Westland Education Board. A. J. Morton, Inspector.

NORTH CANTERBURY. Sir, — Education Office, Christchurch, Bth March, 1913. We have the honour to present our annual report on the schools of the district for the year 1912. Visits paid. —The number of public schools open at the end of the year was 218. To each of these, with the exception of three small household schools, two visits were paid. For the purpose of the announced visit the pupils of two of the household schools presented themselves at the nearest public school. Two visits were also paid to each of twenty-one private schools enumerated in the appendix to this report. One private school was opened late in the year, and accordingly only received an announced visit. The examinations held for the purpose of awarding certificates of proficiency are not included in the above statement. In addition to the central examination for this purpose, a special examination was held early in the year, and from time to time on Saturdays opportunities of presenting themselves were given to candidates desiring to obtain competency certificates. Attendance. —The annual examination lists submitted at the close of the year show an enrolment of 21,988 pupils in the Board's schools, with an attendance of 20,997 at the annual examination, an increase of 322 on the rolls and 855 on those present at examination. Similar returns from the private schools showed 1,878 on the roll, with 1,732 present at the promotion examination. Age of Pupils. —In Standard I the average is one month lower, but in the other classes the average for 1911 is maintained. In private schools the average age of preparatory pupils is five months, Standard I one month, and Standard II two months lower than corresponding classes in the public schools, but this is accounted for by the fact that pupils under five years of age are admitted. This advantage in age, however, is not maintained in the upper classes, as the private pupils in these classes range from one to eight months higher than those of the public schools. Standard VI Certificates. —The following is a summary of the results of examination held for the purpose of awarding certificates of proficiency and competency : — Pupils Proficiency Competency examined. Certificates. Certificates. Public schools .. .. .. ..1,404 1,040 235 Private schools .. .. .. 92 57 23 Special examinations .. .. 96 62 21 Totals .. .. .. .. 1,592 1,159 279 This shows that 73 per cent, of those presenting themselves obtained proficiency certificates, and 17 per cent, competency, a slight improvement on the results of the previous year. District High Schools. —The returns show 297 pupils on the roll, which is an increase of two on the numbers of the previous year. Lincoln and Kaikoura have made a very promising beginning with rural courses of study, and several of the other centres have modified their programmes of instruction in the direction of giving greater prominence to agriculture. All of our district high schools are giving evidence of highly satisfactory work, and the local interest manifested is very gratifying, and augurs well for future success. Schemes of Work. —In the majority of our schools the schemes are well drawn, and provide a liberal interpretation of the requirements of the syllabus. We still occasionally find isolated cases of teachers delaying the preparation of their courses, or presenting them in incomplete form. Such irregularities can only be regarded as a serious dereliction of duty. Classification. —In comparatively few schools has there been evidence of premature promotion of pupils, and it is exceedingly satisfactory to find that teachers are not allowing their judgment to be vi—E. 2 (A PP . c.)