E—2

suitable for candidates from any school which was making a reasonable attempt to teach the new School Certificate history syllabus. The new syllabus required a detailed knowledge of the history of the British people, empire, and commonwealth from 1870 to the present day and only a general knowledge of British history from 1815 to 1870 to provide an introduction to the former, while the previous syllabus laid the stress on the period prior to 1870. It was noticed by Inspectors during the year that many teachers were spending too much time on the optional section of the syllabus, British and European history from 1815 to 1870, and were not giving sufficiently intensive treatment to the period after 1870, the major portion of the syllabus. This was confirmed by the examiner, who found the same weakness in the answers submitted by the candidates. Some teachers have apparently not yet accustomed themselves to the new syllabus, which came into operation for the first time this year. Ido feel that much of the criticism arises from the fact that some teachers have not yet accustomed themselves to these new standards. The examination standards again turned out, in the main, to be quite satisfactory, although in a few subjects considerable adjustments in the marks were necessary. My general impression of the examination was that everything worked well. The total number of candidates for the examination was 8,706, as compared with 8,300 in 1946 and 6,693 in 1945. Of the number sitting, 91 sat in two subjects for the purposes of University Entrance, and 57 sat to complete a partial pass under the old regulations. Of the 4,698 candidates who passed, 32 completed previous partial passes, 29 qualified for Certificates of Attainment only, while 43 others qualified for School Certificates but were exempt under Begulation 3 (2) of the regulations from taking music and a craft or fine art. For the Special Bursaries Examination, established for the first time in 1946, there were 216 candidates. (13) Accrediting for University Entrance Accrediting has now completed its fourth year, although in the first year of operation, 1944, as candidates could qualify for Entrance under the old examination, there were comparatively few entries for the new University Entrance Examination. From 1945 onwards, however, the number has been considerably increasing, from 2,186 in 1945 to 3,530 in 1947. The numbers of candidates for University Entrance and the numbers accredited are shown in the following table :

This large number is indicative of the increasing numbers in our Sixth Forms, also of the importance attached to the new examination. The percentages shown do not indicate the percentages accredited in schools approved for accrediting, which are considerably greater than the figures shown. Principals' recommendations have to be approved by the Department before they are accepted by the University, and I am satisfied that this clause in the present statute is a wise one. We find that, although recommendations from most schools are being made on a sound basis, some schools recommend on a more generous basis than the standard of work in the school warrants. In these cases the Department, either through its visiting Inspectors or through the Chief Inspector of Post-primary Schools, points out the position to the Principal, and in all cases so far a reasonable adjustment in the list of recommendations has been effected. I would emphasize, however, that the Department in its approvals is not concerned with individuals, but with average standards in the particular school, and the recommendation or lack of recommendation of a particular individual is a matter

17

Year. Candidates. Accredited. Percentage accredited. 1945 1946 1947 2,186 3,264 3,500 1,213 1,776 1,844 55-5 54-4 52-7