E.-l

25. ENDOWED SCHOOLS AND REGISTERED PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS. The following table summarizes the returns furnished by endowed schools and registered private secondary schools with respect to the years 1935 and 1936 :—

Table T.

26. CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL. Much has been done in the direction of bringing the educational opportunities offered by the Correspondence School more fully into line with those of other schools. In the primary division the limits of distance of the pupils' homes from a public school have been brought more nearly into line with those exempting children from compulsory attendance. Pupils may now be enrolled in the Correspondence School as follows :— Age Distance from School. Under seven years .. . . .. 2 miles. Between seven and eleven years .. . . 3 miles. Over eleven years . . .. .. .. 3| miles. In addition, the benefit of correspondence tuition has been extended to young persons in employment, including teachers of Grade 0 Schools, junior assistants in Native schools, Post Office cadets, and others residing where attendance at postprimary schools or evening classes is not possible. Such pupils, if entitled to a junior or senior free place, may now be enrolled in the secondary division without payment of fees. If not so entitled, they may be enrolled as fee-paying pupils at the rates chargeable in district high schools—namely, £2 ss. per annum. The availability and tenure of secondary free places is now the same for pupils of the Correspondence School as for those of other post-primary schools. Free handwork material has been made available to primary pupils, as in the public schools. In the secondary division elementary science equipment is provided free of charge in the first year. In the second and third years arrangements are made for pupils to attend a post-primary school for one week's intensive laboratory practice. The Department makes a grant for conveyance. The co-operation of the Principals of the post-primary schools is greatly appreciated. A system of issuing text-books on hire to secondary pupils has been instituted, and provision has been made for the supply of books and requisites free of charge to pupils whose parents are in necessitous circumstances. During the year a Correspondence School Savings-bank system in connection with the Post Office School Savings-bank scheme was established. During the school vacation in May an exhibition of the work of Correspondence School pupils was organized at the school. A large number of pupils, parents, and ex-pupils visited Wellington for the occasion. A camp for Correspondence School Lone Girl Guides was held. A Parents' Association was formed. An Ex-pupils' Re-union was held.

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1933. 1936. Number of schools .. .. .. .. 56 56 Roll at 1st July .. .. .. .. 4,636 4,982 Average attendance .. .. .. .. 4,394 4,752 Teachers (inclusive of principals) — Men .. .. .. . . .. 140 151 Women .. .. .. .. .. 173 199 Total .. .. .... 313 350