E.—l.

It is interesting to note that in 1930 the diminution of primary-school roll numbers experienced during the past three years affected the numbers of children leaving school, for, as stated above, 21,715 children definitely left primary school in 1930, whereas in the previous year the number was 23,022, and in 1929 23,742. Destination op Pupils leaving Primary Schools. The Department again obtained from public schools, through the Education Boards, returns as to the destination of pupils leaving school. A summary of the returns showing the number of pupils who left last year is given in the following table :—

Probable Destination of Pupils leaving Public Primary Schools during or at End of Year 1930.

The outstanding feature of the following table is that the percentages of pupils (boys) proceeding to various destinations on leaving primary school last year have varied from those of the past two years in so far as the two main destinations —post-primary and agricultural and pastoral—are concerned. It will be seen that an increase of 2 per cent, has been recorded under both these heads, and, moreover, under the next largest heading—home—an increase of 1 per cent, is recorded when compared with the percentage last year. In the case of girls leaving school, the most marked movement is in the increase in the percentage of those remaining at home on completion of the primary-school course. All of this goes to show that, when commercial trades and other occupations are unable to increase their activities and thus dispense with accretions in the way of staffs due to the financial depression, parents are more or less forced into choice between two alternatives regarding their children—namely, a post-primary course or remain at home. It is felt that the increase in the number of boys entering agricultural and pastoral pursuits is due to parents enlisting the aid of their sons at an earlier age than they would otherwise do if their financial position would permit them to engage outside help. Unfortunately, that very useful publication, " Careers," issued by the Department for the assistance of parents in choosing a vocation for their children was not, on account of the expense involved, published last'year.

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Totals. Had passed Had not passed Standard VI. Standard VI. Destination. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Number. „' Number. „ Per Oent. Cent. Post-primary .. .. .. 5,748 5,406 211 175 5,959 53 5,581 53 Commercial occupations— (a) Clerical (including typing) .. 57 35 14 22 71 1 57 1 (b) Shop and warehouse assistants 190 87 80 48 270 2 135 1 Trades—■ (а) Engineering .. .. 84 .. 25 .. 109 1 (б) Building .. .. 38 39 3 77 1 3 * (c) Other .. .. .. 128 28 69 29 197 2 57* Agricultural and pastoral .. 1,434 105 993 84 2,427 22 189 2 Other occupations .. .. 357 225 302 235 659 6 460 4 Home .. .. .. 657 2,473 378 1,394 1,035 9 3,867 36 Not known .. .. .. 127 85 189 161 316 3 246 3 Total number of children leaving 8,820 2,300 2,151 ! 11,120 100 10,595 100 * No significant percentage.