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REPORT Two groups of problems loom so large on the educational horizon that it might be well to deal with them first before passing on to a brief survey of educational developments during 1947. First, there are those connected with the recent rapid rise in the number of births in the Dominion, and, secondly, the even more complex problems resulting from the great increase in the proportion of children going on to post-primary education. Rise in Number of Births The recent annual figures for the number of non-Maori births in New Zealand are well known, from the low point of 23,900 in 1935 to the temporary peak of 35,100 in 1941, and then after a slight falling off, the dramatic rise to 44,800 in 1947. The effects of the fluctuating birth-rate upon primary-school enrolments are, however, best shown by taking the number of births in eight-year periods instead of annually, since the normal length of primary-school life is eight years. The following table shows, on the left, the total number of births (Maori and non-Maori) in each eight-year period, beginning with Ist July, 1929-1937, and ending with Ist July, 1939-1947. On the right is given, opposite each period, the total number of pupils at public primary schools (including Maori schools) of ages between five and under thirteen years in the year when the children born in that period might normally be expected to be distributed somewhere between Primer 1 and Form II; in the second column on the right are added the total number of pupils at these schools of ages of thirteen years and over. The enrolments for the years 1948-52 are, of course, only estimates, but can be presumed to be reasonably accurate :

Whilst every New Zealander can regard this rapid increase in births with satisfaction, it must be admitted that, coming at the present time, it makes many difficulties for educational administration. As far as school accommodation is concerned we have not yet recovered from the serious setback resulting from the war, and yet we must somehow not only catch up this leeway, but also prepare for record attendances within the next four years. It is estimated that, by 1952, we shall need in primary and intermediate schools some two thousand class-rooms, plus all subsidiary accommodation.

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Births. Public-school Enrolments. Number. Eight-year Period. Year. Ages 5 and under 13. Ages 13 and over. | Total Number. 225,200 1929-1937 1942 185,420 25,170 210,590 226,700 1930-1938 1943 183,700 25,090 208,790 229,700 1931-1939 1944 185,200 24,250 209,450 237,300 1932-1940 1945 190,360 23,550 213,910 248,000 1933-1941 1946 198,140 22,170 220,310 258,400 1934-1942 1947 211,300 20,000 231,300 Estimates 267,500 1935-1943 1948 218,600 19,700 238,300 276,000 1936-1944 1949 225,600 19,600 245,200 286,700 1937-1945 1950 234,300 19,700 254,000 300,900 1938-1946 1951 245,900 20,100 266,000 317,700 1939-1947 1952 259,500 20,800 280,300

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