31

E.—2.

Teachers.- —The conditions in respect to the supply of trained teachers have vastly improved during the past few years —in fact, at the present time, there appears to he a definite surplus of teachers. There has been little difficulty in the past in absorbing all trained teachers from the Training College, due to the fact that new positions were available, and uncertificated teachers were replaced. The following figures show the substantial progress made in replacing uncertificated teachers : Number of uncertificated teachers (excluding teachers of household schools and relieving teachers) —1922, 78 ; 1923, 54 ; 1924, 49 ; 1928, 26 ; 1926, 12. A further reduction has been made for 1927. There are two instructors in agriculture, nature-study, and dairy science ; four in woodwork ; and four in domestic science. Instruction of manual-training classes at Woodville is given by teachers on the staff of the Palmerston North Technical School. Organizing Teachers.—The Inspectors report most favourably on the efficient state of the smaller country schools, and in a great measure this happy result is due to the efforts of the organizing teachers, who have carried out their duties whole-heartedly, and to the complete satisfaction of the Board and Inspectors. During the year two organizing teachers were employed, one in the northern and one in the southern portion of the district. The number of uncertificated teachers is, however, decreasing to such an extent that the matter of dispensing with the services of one organizing teacher is now under consideration. Training of Tewhers,—No Saturday classes for the training of pupil-teachers and probationers in elementary science, drawing, and handwork were conducted in 1926. The arrangements made by the Department to control the admission of students to the training colleges have proved very satisfactory. In 1925 the majority of the Hawke's Bay students were admitted to the Dunedin Training College, and in 1926 the majority were admitted to the Christchurch Training College. The Board acknowledges the consideration shown by the Department to its recommendations in regard to the admission, for special reasons, of a few students to other colleges. District High Schools.—At the end of the year there were five district high schools in operation. During the year a Standard YII class under a special assistant was conducted at Tolaga Bay. Approval has also been given to the establishment of a similar class at Norsewood from the beginning of 1927. As in previous years, the first- and second-year pupils of the secondary departments of district high schools took the rural course. The aim. of the course is to provide a good general education in secondary subjects, and also to prepare pupils for the Public Service Entrance Examination. The science work has been continued for the third and fourth years, thus enabling pupils to take science for the Matriculation Examination, which they have done with considerable success. The establishment of the Te Karaka and Wairoa District High Schools was provisional. Both have, however, fully justified their establishment, and the erection of, permanent buildings with proper provision for science instruction is now a matter of urgency. Elementary Agriculture and Dairy Science.—l9lB classes (primary and secondary) were recognized for capitation purposes in 1926. During the past year the Board has been able to maintain the equipment and material in schools at a good standard. Elementary afforestation is being successfully undertaken at an increasing number of schools, there being now twice as many schools giving attention to this important branch of work as in the previous year. Valuable assistance in this direction is received from the State Forest Service, which also supplies seeds to approved schools without charge. Woodwork and Domestic Science.—Central classes in woodwork and domestic science were in operation at Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Waipawa, Waipukurau, Dannevirke, and Woodville. The following table shows the number of classes and the roll number of children in attendance at the end of the year :— Number Number ' p i. Subjects. of of AT i J a i i m Number. bchools. Classes. Woodwork .. .. .. .. ..27 56 1,203 Domestic Science .. .. .. .. 28 57 1,095 Instruction in these subjects was also given to classes with a roll of 143 from the Hastings High School. The Board has made representations to the Department regarding the necessity for an expansion of the training in the subjects of woodwork and cookery by the establishment of additional centres. The number of pupils receiving this instruction in this district is lower in proportion than that of any other district in New Zealand. Transit to centres presents a difficulty in those cases where no train service is available or where the train service is unsuitable. The Department has had this matter before it for a considerable time, and the Board trusts that some progress in the direction of providing facilities for the instruction of a greater number of children in these important subjects will be made during the current year. Napier Technical High School.—The Board was the controlling authority of this school, but steps were taken at the end of the year to vest full control in the Board of Managers, and this becomes effective as from the beginning of 1927. Waipawa Technical Classes Association.—Reports on the activities of this association for the past year have already been sent to you. The association is making every endeavour to increase the interest in the classes conducted, in view of the intimation given by the Department that the approval of the classes may be withdrawn owing to the limited scope of the association's activities and the small number of pupils on the roll. Hastings Technical High School.—This school, which had been controlled by the Board since its inception in 1921, was constituted a high school from the Ist May, 1926, and is now under the control of the Hastings High School Board. Gisborne Technical School.—Evening technical and continuation classes have been conducted by the Board during the past year at Gisborne. Thirteen classes were held, the average roll of which was 173.