E.—2

Raising of Leaving Age.—The regulations gazetted raising the leaving age to fifteen years come into force in 1944. The full impact of the new regulations will not be in evidence till 1945, but already rolls have been largely increased. The position in the main centres is such that special measures will be needed in 1945 to cope with the problem. In Auckland all secondary and technical schools have reached the limit of their capacity, and it seems that the opening of new post-primary schools is the only means of providing for the full influx to be expected in 1945. In Wellington the position is similar, and is complicated by the existence of the two main areas of population, the Hutt Valley and Wellington City. Provision is called for in both centres. In Christchurch it is possible that accommodation can be found by additions to existing schools. The position in Dunedin is satisfactory. University Entrance Examination and Accrediting.—Arrangements for accrediting for entrance to the University were completed during the year, and the new scheme will come into operation in 1944. Certain matters have been clarified. The University has agreed that in 1944 pupils in their fourth or subsequent year of secondary tuition shall be permitted to compete for University Entrance under the old regulations by sitting in the appropriate subjects in the School Certificate Examination conducted by the Department. Such candidates as satisfy the conditions previously in force for a pass in University Entrance shall be entitled to matriculate, notwithstanding the new prescriptions now in force. The same privilege has been extended to candidates who have had four years' instruction in a secondary school but are at present preparing privately or in evening classes. The conditions of entrance to the special schools have been completed. No special requirements are enforced by any of these schools, except that candidates are advised that certain subjects should be included in their school courses. Thus students who propose to take the M.B. or Ch.B. degrees are advised to take the following subjects in their entrance courses : English, a foreign language, mathematics, and either chemistry or physics. For engineering degrees the subjects advised are English, mathematics, and physics or chemistry or mechanics. For the home science degree, English, mathematics, and a science are recommended. The University has taken one further important step in liberating the curriculum from restrictions imposed by the degree prescription. It is proposed that a foreign language be no longer compulsory for the B.A. degree, provided that English is taken. Compulsory Latin still remains in the prescription for the degree of LL.B. The right to accredit for University Entrance has been offered to certain schools, and it is understood that all such schools have accepted the invitation of the University. Four liaison officers have been appointed to supervise the system of accrediting, one being associated with each of the four main University Colleges. All four liaison officers have been drawn from the staffs of secondary schools, Mr. J. Thompson, M.A., L. es. L., 8.C0m., from Takapuna Grammar School, being appointed to Auckland University College ; Mr. A. H. Thom, M.A., of Wellington College, to Victoria University College ; Mr. G. S. Troup, M.A., of Christchurch Boys' High School, to Canterbury University College ; and Dr. B. Howard, M.A., Litt.D., of King's High School, to Otago University. Educational Bursaries. —The total expenditure on national bursaries and special bursaries during the financial year was £40,552, as compared with £36,462 in the previous year. The number of bursaries current during 1943 and the further awards at the close of the year are given in the following table, the figures in parentheses being those for the previous year : —

Special bursaries in science were instituted in 1943, and the award of 15 bursaries has recently been made. The demand for these bursaries has been particularly keen, about 180 applications having been received. This is a fitting commentary on the remarks on the subject of bursaries in pure science made in the previous report by Wing Commander Caradus. The whole question of special bursaries calls for review. As candidates for special bursaries in general apply for one bursary only, many excellent candidates are passed over, while candidates of more modest qualifications gain success. It may be worthy of consideration to grant special bursaries in a general list, candidates to state the courses they prefer to follow and giving alternative choices. Except in the case of fine arts, the above bursaries are of a generally similar character, and, failing to obtain his first choice, a good candidate might willingly accept an alternative. Secondary-school Bursaries.—During the year regulations were issued establishing bursaries for pupils in districts where there is no school on the accrediting list in order that they might attend a school where they could have the advantages of accrediting for University Entrance. Such bursaries are tenable for a period not exceeding two years. Applicants are required to have received instruction at an approved school for three years and to have passed the School Certificate or University Entrance Examination. The regulations originally provided that the bursaries should be tenable only at public schools on the accrediting list. This has recently been amended to include private registered schools on the list. The purpose of the bursaries is to give a pupil the right to be accredited and the opportunity of being a candidate by examination for a University Entrance scholarship or a national boarding bursary. The institution of these bursaries will enable small schools and the secondary departments of the smaller district high schools to limit their instruction to the standard of the School Certificate. Pupils of Sixth Form standard will have the advantage in larger schools of specialized instruction and a greater degree of competition.

6

Current during Awards at beginning 1943. of 1944. Agriculture .. .. .. .. 24 (18) 10 (10) Architecture .. .. .. 3 (3) 2 Engineering .. .. .. 13 (12) 10 (4) Fine arts .. .. .. .. 10 (13) 4 (4) Home science .. .. .. 49 (61) 20 (20) Science .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 National boarding .. .. .. 187 .. 65 (65) Ordinary national .. .. .. 1,498 (1,517) *(573) 1,784 (1,624) ..(676) * Not available.