31

E.—l

The examinations were held at eighty centres in 1927. The total number of entries for all examinations was 10,130, of which number 9,585 candidates actually presented themselves for examination. A certain proportion of the absentees is due to the practice of the accrediting principle by which candidates for senior free places may be exempted from an external examination, as may also training-college students who are candidates for the teachers' examinations. 4,664 candidates were exempted in this manner from the necessity of passing the Intermediate Examination. The number of candidates actually presenting themselves for the various examinations during the last three years is shown below : —

Of the 2,640 candidates for Junior National Scholarships in 1927, 266 obtained the scholarship qualification, 1,072 qualified for a free place in the scholarship examination, and 1,568 failed. There were also 151 candidates for free places only, of whom 9 qualified and 142 failed. Of the 941 candidates for Senior National Scholarships 140 gained scholarships, 727 qualified for senior free places, and 214 failed. There were 1,285 entries for the Intermediate Examination, .1,157 candidates presenting themselves, of which number 365 passed and 792 failed to do so. The number present at the Public Service Entrance Examination, was 2,288, 1,117 of the number passing and 1,171 failing the examination. The number of candidates who sat for the different stages of the teachers' certificate examinations was 2,384 (635 for the whole or part of Class C and. 1,749 for Class D). Of the total number 359 obtained complete passes in Class D, 118 in Class C, and 6in Class B. 1,233 improved their status and 668 failed to improve their status. Teachers' Superannuation Fund. The position of the fund at the 31st January, 1928, and the principal figures concerning the transactions for the year, compared with those for the year ended 31st January, 1927, are given below : — 1926-27. 1927-28. £ £ Balance at credit of fund at end of year .. .. .. 1,083,155 1,134,015 Increase over balance at end of previous year .. .. 74,332 50,860 Income for the year — Members'contributions .. .. .. .. *147,028 *131,872 Interest .. .. .. .. .. .. 73,420 68,053 Government subsidy .. .. .. .. .. 71,428 71,228 Total income .. .. .. .. £291,876 £271,153 Expenditure — £ £ Retiring and other allowances .. .. .. .. 184,707 188,553 Contributions refunded, &c. .. .. .. .. 26,590 26,075 Administration expenses .. .. .. .. 3,1.47 3,845 Bad debts on realization of securities and reserve .. 3,100 1,820 Total expenditure .. .. .. £217,544 £220,293 * The aum received in contribution was less last year than in the provious year on account ol the larger amount paid in that year by way of arrears of contributions on house allowanco (section 115 of tho Public Service Superannuation Act, 1927).

1925. 1926. 1927. Junior National Scholarships and junior free places Public Service Entrance, Senior National Scholarships, and Intermediate Teachers D and C Kindergarten Certificate Examination Special Public Service Entrance Examination in July-August London University Examinations Handicraft Teachers' Certificate 2,687 5,097 3,393 3 121 2 14 2,775 4,759 2,689 4 219 2 13 2,791 4,386 2,384 10 1 13 Totals 11,317 10,461 9,585