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the probationers are employed, by a greater number. In the London County Council, schools, according to the latest information available, the average number of pupils per teacher is thirty-seven, 4,000 classes under one teacher being forty or less in number, 7,000 being between forty and fifty, and nearly 5,000 being between fifty and sixty. Although it is recognized that ideal conditions in this respect are still some distance off in New Zealand, the comparison with the London County Council schools, where a high standard, is set, is not altogether unfavourable. With regard to the sex of public-school teachers, the figures below show the proportion of men and women teachers on the primary-school staff :— 1915. 1918. 1920. 1921. Ratio of adult male to adult female teachers — M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. Schools with Ito 20 scholars .. .. .. 100 : 323 100 : 523 100 : 392 100 : 318 Schools with more than 20 scholars .. .. 100:176 100:227 100:190 100:182 All schools.. .. .. .. .. 100:193 100:253 100:209 100:197 Ratio of male pupil-teachers to female pupil-teachers 100 : 344 100 : 425 100 : 409 100 : 294 Ratio of male probationers to female probationers .. 100 : 647 100 : 688 100 : 511 100 : 445 Ratio of male .students to female students in the training colleges .. .. .. .. 100:387 100:488 100:333 .100:324 It will be observed that in accordance with expectations the proportion of males to females continues to increase in each of the above sections. The increase, is especially marked in the proportion of male pupil-teachers, who now number one in four, as compared with one in five in the previous year ; the increase in the proportion of male probationers is also substantial. The present proportion among all adult teachers of one male in every three teachers is entirely satisfactory, and now that the male element among entrants to the service shows signs of becoming sufficient to maintain this proportion the matter is no longer one of grave concern. Tt has to be borne in mind in considering the figures of the entrants that a woman's average length of service is shorter than a man's, and thus the proportion of women among the entrants of any one year becomes smaller as the length of service of those entrants increases. As has been mentioned in previous reports, the staffs in most other English -speaking counties have a much greater preponderance of women teachers than, is the case in New Zealand. Salaries of Primary Public-school Teachers. (TabloE4inE.-2.) The scale of salaries introduced in 1920 and operating in 1921 provides salaries for head or sole teachers ranging from £180 to £480, and for assistants ranging from £160 to £400. In addition, increments of from £20 to £60 are payable according to a teacher's position on the graded list, and married assistants also receive an additional allowance of £40 per annum. Head teachers either have the free use of a school residence or receive a house allowance of from £30 to £60 per annum. The total amount of all salaries and allowances at the rates payable on the 31st December, 1921, was £1,585,397, or £72,331 more than in the previous year. The total is made up as follows : — ■ £ Adult teachers'salaries .. .. .. .. .. ..1,413,822 Pupil-teachers'allowances .. .. .. .. .. 58,660 Probationers allowances . . .. .. .. .. .. 71,065 House allowances to head or sole teachers where residence is not provided .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 41,850 £1,585,397 The above figures do not include the equivalent of house allowance where residences are provided, estimated at £45,670, nor the additional amounts paid to head teachers for the supervision of secondary departments of district high schools. The total cost of salaries and allowances (including the sum saved in house allowances) works out at £9 Is. 4d. per head of the average attendance, or £8 2s, lOd. per head of the average weekly roll number.