THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 29 August 1901, Page 3

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

The Annual Report.

[OUR PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER.]

Wellington, This Day. The annual report on the Education Department just presented to Parliament states that it has been finally decided to adopt the working average as the basis of payments to Education Boards. The working average for 1900 was 111,748, an increase of 1,432 on that of 1899. In 1898 the average was 111,636. An increase is shown in the average attendance at the schools in 1900 as compared with the previous year, in all the districts of the North Island, and in Grey and South Canterbury in the South Island. The increase in the working average for the North Island is 1,866 and the decrease for the South Island is 375. The greatest increase (956) is shown in Auckland, Wanganui coming next with 342. In regularity of attendance there ha 3 been an improvement in every district except Nelson, Marlborough and Southland. In Grey and Westland the high figures attained in 1899 have increased the average, the roll number being respectively 891 and 87'5. Otago with an attendance of 869 per cent of the number on the roll, stands at the head of the larger educational districts.

The number of schools open at the end of 1900 was 1674 or 28 more than were open in December previous. The mean average per school for the December quarter rose from 66*3 to 66 - 6. The total of all salaries paid at the end of the year was £356,875, the average salary per teacher being jG94 19s 7d which is £1 lis 2d more than for 1899 excluding the salaries of sewing mistresses and pupil teachers &c. The average salary paid to adult teachers would appear as £120,4s 3d.

The following distribution was made of the special vote for schools in rewly settled districts. Auckland ... ... £1,426 Wanganui' 807 Hawke's Bay 435 Marlborough 174 North Canterbury ... 301 Southland , 207 Native Schools ... 2,246 Undistributed ... 19,187 Total £25,000 Regulations for the organisation and inspection of cadet corps in connection with public schools and dealing with drill in schools generally are being considered and will be issued shortly. It is stated that out of over 1,100 children that have passed out of the Industrial schools in the colony, 90 per cent at least have turned out well.

Shortly regulations dealing with Industrial schools and applying to Government and Private schools will be issued.

A site with- about 400 acres of good land has been secured at Horowhenua near Levin for a Boys' Industrial school and it is hoped that .part of the new premises will be ready for occupation next year. Plans for the new school for the deaf mutes at Sumner are in hand, and it is hoped that it may be possible to shortly begin the work of erection.