E.—6

6

(2.) For entrance to technical high schools the means of qualification named in (1), or the certificate of competency in S6, with a special endorsement of merit in handwork or in elementary science, which for the purposes of technical schools is deemed to-be equivalent to a certificate of proficiency. (3.) For entrance to technical classes other than technical high, schools the means of qualification named in (1) or (2), or, under special conditions applicable to industrial courses only, a recommendation by the Inspector of Schools if a pupil is over fourteen years. Senior free places are tenable at secondary schools, district high schools, and technical high schools up to the age of nineteen, and at technical classes other than technical high schools for three or in some cases four years. The means of qualification for senior free places are the Intermediate or other equivalent examinations, or the recommendation of the Principal or Director of the school or classes attended based on. the school records and examination results, or the recommendation of an Inspector of Secondary Schools, or, in the case of district high schools, of the senior Inspector of the district, or in part on such a recommendation and in part on the results of a special examination. Recommendation is the qualification now frequently offered, the number receiving senior free places in this manner in 1921 being 2,170, representing nearly three-fifths of the total number of senior free places gained. As a result of the free-place system 1.3,821 children were receiving free secondary education in 1921- -8,540 in secondary schools, 2,029 in district high schools, 3,140 in technical high schools, and 112 in Maori secondary schools. The number represents 91 per cent, of the pupils of all Government schools affording secondary education. The following table gives details of the free places held in 1920 and 1921 :— Free Places in December, 1920 and 1921. , —1920. , 1921. —^ (i.) Secondary schools — Boys. Girls. Totals. Boys. Girls. Totals, (a.) Junior free pupils .. 2,974 2,590 5,564 2.713 2,941 5,654 (b.) Senior free pupils .. 1,242 1,047 2,289 1,723 1,163 2,886 Totals .. .. 4,216 3,637 7,853 4,436 4,104 8,540 (ii.) District high schools («.) Junior free pupils .. 809 867 1,676 841 870 1.711 (6.) Senior free pupils .. 157 184 341 145 173 318 Totals .. .. 966 1,051 2,017 986 1,043 2,029 (iii.) Maori secondary schools .. 48 50 98 50 62 112 (iv.) Technical high schools — (a.) Junior free pupils .. 1,226 1,000 2,226 1,445 1,202 2,647 (b.) Senior free pupils .. 151 199 350 232 261 493 Totals .. .. 1,377 1,199 2,576 .1,677 1,463 3,140 Grand totals .. 6,607 5,937 12,544 7,149 6,672 13,821 Scholarships held at Secondary Schools and District High Schools. (Tables K4 and K5.) National Scholarships. Junior and Senior National Scholarships are awarded by the Government on the results of annual examinations, the junior examination being of a standard somewhat higher than that of the certificate of proficiency, and the candidates being not over fourteen years of age ; and. the senior examination being of a standard comparable with the standard of the Public Service Entrance Inanimation, the candidates being not over sixteen years of age. Scholarships are awarded to all candidates reaching a certain standard, the standard of award being determined so as approximately to provide one scholarship (junior or senior) for every 500