E.—l

21

Numbers commencing Secondary Education, and Ages at which commenced. The question, of the percentage of children who take up secondary courses after leaving primary school, and the ages at which such courses are commenced, was frequently discussed during the year. The numerical position regarding these matters in 1927 was as follows : —

From the above table it will be seen that 11,427 children (6,040 boys and 5,387 girls) commenced secondary courses in 1927. Of these children 441 (183 boys and 258 girls) came from private schools. Returns furnished by Education Boards show that 21,470 children left public primary schools in 1926. Assuming that, with few exceptions, the children who commenced secondary education in 1927 completed the primary course in the previous year, it is found that of the children who left public primary schools in 1926 51 per .cent, commenced secondary courses in 1927. It must be noted, of course, that not all the 21,470 children who left public primary schools in 1926 were entitled to admission to secondary schools. The number of such children who had qualified for admission to secondary schools by passing Standard VI was 16,106, and allowing for children entering secondary schools from private schools it will be seen that 10,986, or 68 per cent., of the number so qualified actually did embark on. secondary courses in 1927. Staffs and Salaries. The number of full-time teachers on the staffs of the forty-one secondary schools at the end of 1927 was 587, compared with 568 in 1926. There were 27 male and 14 female Principals and 293 male and 253 female assistants. The average rates of salary at the end of the year were as follows, the figures for 1923 being also shown : — 1923. 1927. Principals — £ £ Men .. .. .. .. .. .. ..713 723 Women .. .. .. .. .. .. 546 559 Both sexes .. .. .. .. .. . . 651 667 Assistants — Men .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 370 392 Women .. .. .. .. .. .. 271 283 Both sexes .. .. .. .. . . . . 324 342 All teachers — Men .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 399 420 Women . . .. .. . . .. .. 287 298 Both sexes . . .. .. .. . . .. 348 364 In addition, male Principals for whom a residence was not provided received house allowance of £60 per annum.

Age at which Secondary Course commenced. Total Numbers commencing Secondary Class of School. Under 13 Years. 13 Years. 14 Years. 15 Years and over. Education in. 1927. J Boys. ' Girls. Boys. ' Girls. ! Boys, j Girls. I Boys. | Girls. J Boys, j Girls. J I I ; I I J I Secondary .. 501 | 428 1,252 ! 1,118 936 : 875 ! 236 236 2,925 2,657 Technical .. 176 162 740 608 722 626 331 247 1,969 1,643 District high .. 185 210 447 436 337 288 114 78 1,083 1,012 Junior high .. I .. 6 17 22 35 34 11 13 63 75 Totals .. j ' 862 806 2,456 j 2,184 2,030 , 1,823 | 692 574 6,040 5,387