E.—2.

As, however, this determination had come to be effected by a process of recommendation and accrediting under the supervision of the Inspectors, there was really little need for the continuance of the examination itself. The removal of the distinction between junior and senior free places, as described in my last report, completed its downfall, and it has now been discarded as superfluous and unnecessary. It is interesting to note, however, that this examination has always been popular among the private schools, and corroboration of this fact is to be found in the large increase in last year's number of entries for the Public Service Entrance Examination, which is based upon a prescription similar to that of the Intermediate. In 1937, when both examinations were held, only 1,123 candidates sat the Public Service Entrance ; in 1938, when this examination alone was held, it attracted 1,906 candidates, an increase of very nearly 70 per cent. As many of these candidates, including girls, have no intention of entering the Public Service, there obviously still exists a desire on the part of some school authorities to avail themselves of some external means of measuring up the progress of their pupils or the efficiency of the class-teaching in their institutions. The School Certificate Examination appears to have gained slightly in popularity. As previously explained, it is held in conjunction with the University Entrance Examination. Entries for the conjoint examination totalled 4,266 (4,340 in 1937). The number of candidates who sat for the certificate alone rose from 225 to 305 ; it is to be hoped that this striking increase is an indication that the value of the certificate as a guarantee of a good general post-primary education is being more widely recognized and that further similar increases will be recorded. It is pleasing to note, too, that the calibre of these " separate " candidates appears to be improving, the percentage of passes among them rising from 24 to 34. In all, 2,422 certificates were granted (2,416 in 1937) and 749 candidates obtained partial passes (804 in 1937). Of the subjects not prescribed for the University Entrance, book-keeping maintains its lead in popularity ; needlework comes a poor second, and physiology and hygiene third. Heat engines failed to attract a candidate, and only twelve sat in housecraft. Higher Leaving Certificates to the number of 1,003 were awarded to qualified advanced pupils in secondary and combined schools, with an additional 253 to pupils from endowed and registered private secondary schools ; these numbers easily exceed all previous records. The Training College Examination was held for the last time in 1938. The abolition of this examination, which was to a certain extent of a higher standard than the University Entrance, will free the Sixth Forms of our schools from the necessity of studying subjects which in some cases did not fit in with the most suitable curricula for prc-University students. Its disappearance will be welcomed by all whose duty it is to organize Sixth Form programmes. University Bursaries. The number of students holding bursaries at University Colleges continues to increase, and now exceeds the peak number reached in the pre-depression period. The following table shows the position both with regard to ordinary and to special bursaries in 1937 and 1938 : —

Competition for boarding bursaries by means of examination has increased, and the number of candidates qualifying by this method in December last was considerably greater than the number of bursaries available (sixty-five). It is obvious that in future there will be no possibility of candidates obtaining boarding bursaries by the alternative qualification—i.e., the possession of the Higher Leaving Certificate only ; the regulations provide that awards may be made by this method only when a sufficient number of candidates do not qualify by examination. In connection with the special bursaries, the time has come for a revision of the conditions governing their award, more particularly with regard to the agricultural and engineering bursaries. When these were first established they were intended to be of special assistance to young people who had followed a purely vocational course in technical schools and who wished to proceed to a higher stage of practical training. These students did not wish to enter upon degree courses at a University special school; moreover, they were debarred from doing so by reason of their obvious inability to qualify for University Entrance whilst following a vocational course at school. It has been evident, however, that for some years past practically every applicant for an engineering bursary has expressed a wish to follow a degree course, and that the great majority of candidates for the agricultural bursary have been desirous of proceeding to a scientific training in a University special school, The existing regulations for the latter bursary are so framed as to favour unduly the boy

7

Clasa of Bursary. BSSS SSSB m ijrf/. year 1937. m Year 1938. £ £ Agricultural .. .. .. .. 23 1,610 27 1,817 Architectural .. . . .. . . 4 226 2 140 Engineering .. .. .. .. 12 723 12 856 Fine arts .. .. .. .. .. 6 339 12 771 Home-science .. .. .. .. 26 1,760 35 2,360 Ordinary .. .. .. .. .. 1,028 16,454 1,170 17,423 Boarding .. .. .. .. .. 69 1,870 95 4,277 Totals .. .. .. 1,168 22,982 1,353 27,644 J - '