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E.—l

The Training of Teachers. (Tables ES to E7 in E.-2). Training Colleges. A teachers' training college is situated in each of the four principal centres of the Dominion, at each of which 250 students may be accommodated. The students come under one or other of the following divisions : Division A, ex-pupil teachers, ex-probationers, or ex-trainees of recognized kindergarten schools who have obtained the necessary educational qualification ; Division B, other students who have passed Matriculation or obtained a higher leaving - certificate ; Division C, University graduates admitted for one year; and Division I), teachers entering on short-period studentships. The number of students in attendance during the last quarter of 1921 under the various divisions were* —Division A, 730 ; Division B, 145 ; Division C, 9 ; and Division D, 20 : the total being 904, as compared with 680 in 1920 and 582 in 1919 ; 508 students were first-year students and 396 were second-year students. The numbers of students at each training college during the last quarter of 1920 and 1921 respectively are indicated in the following table : — , 1920. , . 1921. , Men. Womon. Total. Men. Women. Total. Auckland ... ... ... 56 133 189 65 202 267 Wellington ... ... ... 39 135 174 49 142 191 Ohristchurch ... ... ... 26 117 143 50 146 196 Dunedin ... ... ... 36 138 174 49 201 250 Totals ' ... ... 157 523 680 213 691 904 The number of students in 1921 was 33 per cent, greater than in the previous year, and it may be stated that the number has further increased to 1,150 in the current year. The ordinary course of training is for two years, and the number of students completing their course at the end of 1921 was 383, as compared with 355 in 1920. With this large influx of trained teachers into the service every year it will be possible to improve the efficiency of the teaching and to reduce the size of classes in the larger schools. For the teaching practice of students the normal practising schools forming part of the training college in each case are available, and opportunities of observation are also extended so as to embrace specially selected teachers and classes in neighbouring schools. Each normal school includes — (a) a main school, organized as a " mixed school " ; and (b) model schools of the following types : (i) A rural public school under a sole teacher ; (ii) a junior school under one teacher with not more than. 45 children of classes PtoS2 on the roll; (iii) a class representing the secondary department of a district high school; (iv) a special class of children of school age ; (v) a junior kindergarten. Students receive their theoretical instruction from the training-college staff, and also attend University college classes to a considerable extent. A certain proportion of students attempt degree work in conjunction with their training-college work, although this double course is discouraged except in cases of specially capable students. Divisions A, B, and C students satisfactorily completing the prescribed course of work at the training college may, on the recommendation of the Principal, receive without further examination a trained-teachers' certificate ranking with the Class C or Class D certificate, as may be determined. Of the 366 students beginning a two-years course in 1920, 163 held Class D certificates, and 147 held partial successes towards teachers' certificates at the time of entry ; and the following was the examination status of 383 students completing their course at the end of 1921 : Class A certificate, 4 ; Class B certificate, 32 ; Class C certificate with partial B, 15 ; partial C or D with partial B, 5 ; Class C, 221 ; Class D with partial C, 63 ; Class D, 5 ; sectional D and sectional C, 27 ; sectional C, 4 ; sectional or partial D, 6 ; no examination, 1. The allowances payable to training-college students were : Division A and C students, £100 per annum ; Division B and D students, £80 per annum. University class fees are paid in addition, and when necessary a boarding-allowance of £30 per annum or a travelling-allowance.