A.—3.

For the first time since the Administration took over the schools from the London Missionary Society in 1915 it has been found possible to put into operation the policy of replacing European Head Teachers by Native Head Teachers. The work of the Education Officer and the Organizing Infantmistress together with that of European Head Teachers should enable the Administration to extend the number of schools in charge of Native Head Teachers so that ultimately all the primary schools of the Cook Islands will have Native staffs with a minimum number of European Organizing Teachers. During the past year the Native teachers, although handicapped by their own educational limitations, have continued to do good work, and every effort is being made to improve their standard by means of afternoon classes in methods of teaching and in academic subjects, and by refresher courses at intervals. A week was devoted to an instructional course which was attended by thirty-one teachers from Rarotonga, and the good results of this course are now showing in the schools concerned. The Senior Inspector of Native Schools for New Zealand conducted a two days' refresher course in methods of teaching, particular stress being laid on modern developments. Refresher courses varying in length from a week to ten days were held for teachers of Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4. A week has been devoted by the Native teachers, working in their own schools under European supervision, to the making of infant-room apparatus. These refresher courses, held at regular intervals, have effected immediate improvements in the methods used by Native teachers. Buildings and Equipment. —Additional class-rooms to meet increased roll numbers have been erected at Titikaveka School and at Araura School, Aitutaki. Araura School has also a handworkroom built by the people of Aitutaki, while the Arorangi children and teachers have built a handworkroom for themselves. All the above structures are Native built. While school buildings on Rarotonga can be classed as of an excellent type well suited to conditions, it is to be regretted that the same cannot be said of those in the Outer Islands of the Group, and the education of these children cannot be carried on satisfactorily under existing conditions. In all schools excepting two the seating-accommodation has been entirely unsuited to modern infantroom practice, but improvements in this direction can be accomplished from time to time only as funds permit. Progress and Health Cards. —A system of progress cards for pupils has been introduced in all schools in the Lower Group. These cards will give a short history of the child's school life. Provision is made for the recording of periodical health examinations conducted by the Medical Officer. Medical and Health. —There was a serious outbreak of typhoid fever, and all school-children of Rarotonga were innoculated and the threatened epidemic passed over. The Chief Medical Officer conducted a health examination of school-children in Rarotonga. The very important " follow-up " work after health examination —the treatment of conditions found —has been conducted regularly, and the schools and the Health Department are co-operating very successfully in this work. A pleasing innovation this year has been the substitution of swimming for physical drill during the hotter months. The Dental Officer has continued his work and dental treatment has been given regularly. Coronation Celebrations. —Coronation Day, 12th May, at Rarotonga was made a children's day. The parade numbered 1,300. This was followed by a drill and marching display by the combined schools. The success of this display was a splendid example of team-work. Pupils and teachers are to be commended for the work they did in preparation, and the co-operation of all made the display an outstanding event.

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Mand. ! School. I j 8taff ' | _l I (b) London Missionary Society Schools. Mitiaro . . . . Mitiaro . . . . 41 1 Palmerston . . . . Palmerston .. .. 29 1 Penryhn . . . . Omoka . . . . 73 2 Tetautua . . .. 61 1 Manihiki .. . . Tauhunu . . . . 67 1 Tukao .. .. 22 1 Rakahanga .. . . Rakahanga .. . . 48 1 (c) Roman Catholic Mission Schools. Rarotonga . . . . . . 161 6 Atiu .... .. 49 2 Mauke .... .. 65 1 Mitiaro .... . . 26 1 Manihiki .... .. 27 3 Rakahanga .... .. 44 2 Total .. .. .. 3,014 99