E.—l

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, is still frequently discussed in view of its bearing on the various suggestions for the reorganization of the education system. The numerical position regarding these matters in 1928 was as follows

From the above table it will, be seen that .12,291 children (6,613 boys and 5,678 girls) commenced secondary courses in 1928. This represents an increase of 864 over the number for 1927. Of the children who commenced secondary education in 1928, 491 (230 boys and 261 girls) came from private schools. Returns furnished by Education Boards show that 22,497 children left public primary schools in 1927. Assuming that, with few exceptions, the children who commenced secondary education in 1928 completed the primary course in the previous year, it is found that of the children who left public primary schools in 1927 52 per cent, commenced secondary courses in 1928. It must be noted, of course, that not all the 22,497 children who left public primary schools in 1927 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 17,628, and allowing for children entering secondary schools from private schools it will be seen that 11,800, or 67 per cent, of the number so qualified actually did embark on secondary courses in 1928. Staffs and Salaries. The number of full-time teachers on the staffs of the forty-three secondary schools at the end of 1928 was 623, compared with 587 in 1927. There were 28 male and 15 female Principals and 312 male and 268 female assistants. The average rates of salary at the end of the year were as follows, the figures for 1923 being also shown : — „ . . , 1923. 1928. Principals — £ £ Men .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 713 726 Women .. .. .. .. .. .. 546 556 Both sexes .. .. .. .. .. .. 651 667 Assistants— Men .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 370 390 Women .. .. .. .. .. .. 271 289 Both sexes .. .. .. .. .. .. 324- 344 All teachers— Men .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 399 418 Women .. ... .. .. .. ..287 303 Both sexes .. .. .. .. .. .. 348 366 In addition, male Principals for whom a residence was not provided received house allowance of £60 per annum.

29

Age at which Secondary Course commenced. Total Numbers i commencing ! Secondary Class of School. Under 13 Years. 13 Years. 14 Years. 15 Years and over. Education in 1928. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys, j Girls. Boys. Girls. J Boys, j Girls. I I j i | "j ' j Secondary .. 575 | 533 1,320 1,263 997 776 342 231 3,234 j 2,803 Technical .. 270 273 851 755 723 557 237 183 2,081 j 1,768 District high .. 237 209 484 429 350 288 135 66 1,206 992 Junior high .. 9 16 36 44 35 41 12 14 92 115 Totals .. 1,091 1,031 2,691 2,491 2,105 1,662 726 494 6,613 5,678