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Physical Education.—ln 1947 the specialist staff in physical education had increased to eighty-three. Twenty-six of these were employed by Education Boards as additional assistants. A decision has now been made not to appoint any more additional assistants, but to strengthen the field staff, whose main function is to assist and advise the class teacher. During the year, twenty-eight specialists were trained and the usual refresher courses held. Physical-education equipment is now more readily available and an issue of gymnastics benches was made to all primary and district high schools. Learn-to-swim campaigns were organized in February, special emphasis being given to this important phase of the work. The Department offered twenty bursaries to candidates for the diploma course in physical education opening at Otago University in 1948. Bursaries are at the same rate as for secondary-teacher trainees and will enable successful applicants to complete the three-year course. Music.—The few music specialists continue to do very good work. Several districts report very successful music festivals. These festivals encourage good music and an intelligent interest in choir work. They bring together the lecturer in music at the training college, the music specialist, the teachers, and the organizing committees, thus effectively co-ordinating the teaching work and deepening musical appreciation in the schools. More specialist assistance would be most helpful to teachers, but this may have to wait until the supply of teachers has improved. In many schools the quality of the singing is good, and the assistance given by the broadcast lessons of the Schools Broadcasting Service is acknowledged. During the year, the National Symphony Orchestra gave several afternoon concerts to primary and post-primary pupils. A continuance of these concerts will be most helpful in laying a foundation of musical appreciation. Art and Crafts. —During the year, additional areas were brought into the art and crafts scheme. The total number of schools now working under this scheme is 322. No area is incorporated until the teachers have had the benefit of specially prepared courses in art and the selected crafts. This has meant a somewhat slow extension of the scheme, but is justified by the enthusiasm and confidence of the teachers who have already benefited. Supplies of equipment and materials have been difficult to obtain, but an improvement is noticeable. During the year, an interesting exhibition of New Zealand children's art was held in several centres. At the request of the British Council, a most interesting exhibition of British rural arts was shown throughout New Zealand. Intermediate Schools The intermediate schools are now firmly established and their functions well understood. The immediate need is for a closer and more regular contact between the head teachers of the contributing and intermediate schools. District High Schools Under the provisions of the new proposed regulations, the secondary departments of district high schools will henceforward be inspected by Post-primary Inspectors, and teachers in such departments will be classified with other post-primary teachers. The change-over has now been completed, and the new arrangements are working smoothly. There is, in consequence, a means for a closer co-ordination of the work of the two branches of the inspectorate. Post-primary Inspectors visit, as occasion offers, classes of primary and intermediate schools, and Primary Inspectors co-operate with their colleagues in similar occasions in visits to classes in both secondary departments of district high schools and other post-primary schools. The resulting interchange of views is likely to bring solid advantages, particularly in the educational guidance of pupils.

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