The Felding Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1892. Education Board Report

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 110, 15 March 1892, Page 2

The Felding Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1892. Education Board Report

We have to thank the secretary of the Wanganui Education Board for a copy of the Inspector's Annual Report for the year ending 31st December, 1891. In connection with the staffs of schools it is considered with the average attendance of 50 now required at a school before a pupil teacher is appointed is too high, and a recommendation is made that not only the average attondance, but the number of classes should be considered. On the days appointed for examination there were 7695 pupils (3978 boys and 3717 girls) on the school rolls, of whom 4734 or 61 '5 per cent were presented for promotion in the six standards, 2929 were in the preparatory classes, and 32 had already passed standard VI. Of the 4734 presented in standards 4434, or 93'6 per cent attended and were examined, 300 were absent, 239 were excepted, 931 failed, and 3264 passed the requirements and were promoted. Upon comparing the tables for 1891 with those of 1890 we find that the number examined in standards and the number examined in the preparatory classes are much the same for each year. It is mentioned that during the months in which tbe examinations were held there was much sickness, influenza being prevalent. Notwithstanding the epidemic the number of children examined in standards I to VI inclusive was at the rate of 93*6 out of every hundred presented in those standards. The report considers that the want of variety in the text books militates greatly against obtaining good reading, and as a remedy a supplementary series of reading books is suggested. Dictation aad spelling in this district were weak, and year after year the attention of teachers has been drawn to the fact but without bringing about any decided improvement. It is pointed out that while good spelling is not deemed an accomplishment, bad spelling is looked upon as a very serious defect. There is a marked falling off in the passes for arithmetic but the report says at several school's the arithmetic was very fine, and that at several others, while some of the pupils in most classes showed good methods and arrangement many broke down, thus pointing to lack of thoroughness in teaching. Grammar, composition, and geography show low percentages, while drawing showed a high percentage in each standard. It is recommended that some teachers should pay more attention to the play ground life of their children, when the teacher can see to what extent his lessons have been beneficial in forming the character and habits of those committed to his care. A paragraph appears in the report which contains certain remarks in which we think the Inspector has, in our opinion, somewhat, exceeded the limits permissable in such cases: — "It seems to us a matter of regret that some teachers who are found inefficient in certain schools cannot readily be reduced in the service by giving them a smaller ! school, in preference to inflicting the severe punishment of dismissal ; and also that others, who have shown exceptional merit, cannot with more surety be promoted. A teacher who is unfitted for a large town school might conduct a smaller one in the country in an efficient manner; but should it be necessary to remove him from the former school, dismissal is practically all that is in the power of the Board. Again, a young, zealous teacher may be almost thrown away at a very small school, yet it is often very difficult for him to secure promotion owing to the present regulations for the appointment of teachers." This is touching very closely on tho functions of the Board.