B.—l

20

A comparison of the above table with the corresponding table for 1925 reveals some encouraging features regarding the destination of pupils on leaving school. The figures for 1926 show increases in the number of boys proceeding to farming pursuits and to trades and industries, and a decrease in the number choosing clerical or professional careers. The actual figures are as follows 1925. 1926. Percentage taking up farming .. .. .. .. ..17 20 Percentage entering trades or industries .. .. ..13 15 Percentage entering on professional or clerical careers .. 46 43 The returns compiled by teachers also show the duration of the post-primary course taken by pupils who have now left school. Summarized, the position is as follows : — Technical High Schools High Schools. High Schools. Technical AU Scho ° ls ' Schools. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Percentage leaving in first year .. 18 36 38 27 Percentage leaving in second year .. 29 32 36 32 ■ Percentage leaving in third or later years 53 32 26 41 100 100 100 100 The following table shows the number of free places held at the end of 1926 : — (i) Secondary schools — Boys. Girls. Total. (a) Junior free pupils .. .. .. 4,447 4,167 8,614 (b) Senior free pupils .. .. .. 2,144 1,800 3,944 Totals .. .. .. 6,591 5,967 12,558 (ii) District high schools — (a) Junior free pupils .. .. .. 1,198 1,237 2,435 (b) Senior free pupils . . . . . . 243 345 588 Totals .. .. .. 1,441 1,582 3,023 (iii) Maori secondary schools .. . . 65 80 145 (iv) Technical high schools — (a) Junior free pupils .. .. 2,533 2,047 4,580 (b) Senior free pupils ... .. .. 489 439 928 Totals .. .. .. 3,022 2,486 5,508 (v) Technical day schools — (а) Junior free pupils .. .. .. 347 539 886 (б) Senior free pupils .. .. .. 45 . 84 129 . , Totals .. .. 392 623 1,015 (vi) Third-year pupils at Kowhai and Northcote Junior High Schools .. 63 74 137 Grand totals .. .. 11,574 10,812 22,386 There were at the end of the- year 23,210 children in attendance at Government schools providing secondary education, and of these 96 per cent, were holders of free places. Staffs and Salaries. : . The number of full-time teachers on the staffs of the thirty-nine secondary, schools at the end of 1926 was 568, compared with 512 in 1925. There were 25 male and 14 female Principals and 291 male and 238 female assistants.