E.—l.

The number of teachers employed in public primary schools holding certificates of the various classes in 1929 and 1930 were as follows : —

In regard to the increase which is shown each year in the total of uncertificated teachers, it is necessary to state that probationary assistants are included in the total. A probationary assistant, while not actually certificated, has completed a probationership and a two-year course of professional training at a teachers' training college. After one year in his present capacity he should be qualified to receive a trained teacher's certificate. There were 224 probationary assistants in the schools in 1929, while there were 352 in 1930. If probationary assistants are omitted, it will be seen that there were 237 uncertificated teachers in 1929 and 177 in 1930. A further improvement in the class of certificate held by teachers in primary schools is recorded. While in 1929 there were 77 per cent, of teachers holding certificates of Class A, Class B, or Class C, there were 79 per cent, of teachers holding such certificates in 1930. NATIVE SCHOOLS. At the end of 1930 there were 138 Native-village schools under the direct control of the Department for the primary education of Maori children in districts principally settled by Natives. In addition, there were eleven primary and twelve secondary (boarding) schools controlled by various religious organizations. Maoris are also admitted to the ordinary public schools—and, in fact, the number attending these schools is greater than the number in attendance at Native schools. The following table shows the number of schools, with the enrolment at the end of 1929 and at the end of 1930 : —

These figures include a number of European children (850 in 1930) who attend Native-village schools, and if these be deducted the enrolment of Native children ill primary schools at the end of last year becomes 14,938, compared with 14,399 at the close of the previous year. The continued increase in the number of Maori children attending school is particularly interesting in the case of Native-village schools. It shows, first, that the Maori population is not diminishing; and, second, that there is a growing desire amongst the Maoris for education. The average yearly attendance at Native-village schools was maintained at a creditably high percentage (90-9) of the average weekly enrolment.

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1929. 1930. Class of Certificate. ? —_ ■ j — M. F. Total. M. P. Total. A .. .. .. 42 10 52 40 12 52 B .. .. 630 391 1,021 640 397 1,037 C .. .. .. 1,140 2,359 3,499 1,185 2,378 3,563 D .. .. .. 342 987 1,329 306 882 1,188 E ...... 10 58 68 8 49 57 Total .. .. 2,164 3,805 5,969 2,179 3,718 5,897

Schools, 1929. Roll, 1929. Schools, 1930. Roll, 1930. Native-village schools .. .. .. 137 6,979 138 7,070 Mission schools (primary) .. .. . . 10 532 11 520 Public schools with Native children enrolled .. 767 7,772 794 8,172 Totals .. .. .. .. 914 15,283 943 15,762