E.—2,

Appendix I).

tion are now extended so as to embrace specially selected classes of teachers in neighbouring schools. 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 (6) 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 also (c) a second " model school," organized as a rural school of two teachers, with an average attendance of seventy to eighty, or 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 permitted. The following gives the actual average attendance at each of the normal schools, the main schools and their adjuncts being separately given : —

9 In each of the normal schools a junior kindergarten class with a special teacher in charge has also been provided in terms of the regulations. Much information in regard to the courses of instruction taken by students at the training colleges may be obtained from the tables appearing in Appendix D of E.-2. The following matter is summarized from the tables :— Table P2 shows the University work undertaken by students. At the University college students are required to take at least a course in English in addition to the lectures in education given by the Principals of the training colleges, who for this purpose are recognized as members of the University college staff. Any other University work undertaken varies greatly according to the aims and educational status of individual students, but is necessarily subordinated to the aims and requirements of their special professional training, and the due relation of the two claims constitutes one of the chief problems of organization with which the Principals of training colleges have to deal. Of other subjects, about one-third of the students take Latin; and botany, economics, mental science, and mathematics appear next in that order. At one centre a course of voice-production provided by the University college was attended by the whole of the students. Table P3 contains parallel facts for special classes of professional training lor which provision has been made within the training college itself or in intimate connexion with it. It deals only with students who are in their second year of training. The subjects are largely more or less compulsory in character, though not of necessity for the second year, and include methods of teaching, elementary hygiene, elementary handwork and kindergarten study, physical (including agricultural and domestic) science, physical exercises, vocal music, and drawing. In most cases there is still much to be desired in the training in natural and experimental science that is given to young teachers. It must be regarded as an absolute essential for every teacher that he or she should have at least an elementary knowledge (complete as far as it goes) of scientific method, and this can be got only by a course of individual practical work. The two or four hours' work per week assigned to this course under the Training College Regulations, inclusive of a course in agriculture or in domestic science for which provision is everywhere required, is by no means too much. If the student cannot take such work at the University college—and too commonly this is found impracticable-—he should take it at the training college. From Table P4 may be learnt the initial status of the students at admission as set out in terms of the Department's certificate provisions, or with respect to

II

Main School (exclusive of Model Secondary Schools and Second-1 Department, ary Department). Model School. Junior Model School (P to S2). Total. Auckland Wellington Christchurch .. Dunedm 337 270 409 441 26 36 25 48 22 30 31 36 27 35 38 452 371 465 563