E—2

Special Experiments (1) Remedial Reading.—Arising out of a conference of departmental officers and teachers interested in the question of remedial work in reading, a course of instruction to teachers selected from nine schools in the Wellington area was conducted by Professor Bailey, of Victoria College. The course of weekly lectures of two hours' duration extended over the second term. Various reasons for backwardness in reading were outlined, suggested remedies were discussed, and a full list of literature and of tests available were supplied. Diagnostic work was then carried out in the selected schools, and groups were formed for remedial treatment. It was necessary for the headmaster of each of the participating schools to arrange to free one teacher for the special work with remedial groups and individuals. The children concerned were not permanently removed from their classes, but were given daily remedial work on an individual basis. (2) Nutrition Experiment.—The data of a nutrition experiment at Manukau Intermediate School is now being collated and interpreted by medical and dental officers under the direction of the ex-Principal of the school. The following progress report has been submitted : Experimental group and control group consisted of forty-eight children each. Content of lunch supplied to experimental group : Wholemeal bread and butter. Salad of raw vegetables with high vitamin A and C content. Half-pint milk with addition of skim-milk powder. Honey, dates, and cheese. Brufax and vitaminized vanilla solution. Results (to date). —Dental Caries: Both groups began with average of 5-3 cavities per child. Incidence of dental decay in control group was 65 per cent, greater than in experimental group. Size of cavities in control group was considerably greater than in experimental group. Colds : 34 per cent, more colds in control group. Colds in control group lasted 73 per cent, longer than in experimental group. Resistance to Fatigue, Behaviour, Participation in Sport.—Experimental group showed greater improvement as judged by teachers' observation. The Education of the Superior Child At the conference of Inspectors a small committee was set up to go i,nto the question of the education of the child of superior intelligence. This committee has now brought down a scheme which it is hoped will be implemented in 1948. It is proposed to ask the head teachers in specially selected schools to organize classes so as to bring together children of superior intelligence. The head teachers, assistants, and Inspectors will work together in planning an enriched curriculum for the rapid-learning division. Staff Changes Towards the end of the year my predecessor, Mr. G. E. Overton, retired from the service, where for many years his influence in professional matters and in educational administration has been profound. Mr. Overton guided primary education through the difficult war years, and I am fortunate to succeed a man who, for wisdom and integrity, was so highly esteemed by teachers. Mr. P. A. Smithells, Superintendent of Physical Education, left the Department during the year to take up the position of Director of the newly established School of Physical Education at the University of Otago. I should like to pay a tribute here to the excellent work he did for physical education in our schools. I have, &c., D. G. Ball, Chief Inspector of Primary Schools. The Director of Education, Wellington C. 1.

7