EDUCATION

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3987, 22 August 1929, Page 4

EDUCATION

EXCERPTS FROM BOARD’S

ANNUAL REPORT.

The following excerpts are taken from the annual report of the Wanganui Education Board for the year ending December, 1928: — The personnel of the Board at the end of the year was as follows: —Messrs E. F. Hemingway and A. S. Coleman (West Ward), Messrs J. K. Horriblow and J. S. Tingey (South Ward), Messrs W. Adams and R. Dukeson (North Ward), Messl-s W. S. Woocjroofe and M. H. Oram ('Palmerston North Urban Area), and Messrs W. A. Collins (Chairman) and J, Aitken (Wanganui Urban Area). At the close of the year there were open 207 main schools and 4 side schools, graded as follows: — Grade 0, 23; grade 1, 65; grade 2, 28; grade 3a, 24; grade 3b, 25; grade 3c, 8; grade 4a, 8; grade 4b, 5; grade 4c, 1; grade sa, 5; grade sb, 1; grade sc, 5; grade Ga, 1; grade 6b, 2; grade 7a, 1; grade 7b, 1; grade 7c, 1;’ grade 7d, 1; grade 7e, 1; grade 7g, 1.

The total roll at the end of the year was 17,339, a decrease of 115 on the December quarter of 1927.

The mimlber on the x’olls of the secondary departments of the five District High schools tvas 214, being an increase of 26. The average attendance for the year was 15,326, and the average weekly roll numbered 17,150. The average attendance expressed as a percentage of the average roll was 89.3, which was 1.2 per cent, higher than for 1927. The highest attendance recorded during the year was that for the December quarter, the average being 15,677.

The report of the inspectors shows that the estimated efficiency of the schools was as follows: — Good to very good, 87; very fair, 95; fair, 21; weak, 1. This is a distinct advance over the previous year, and the position can be regarded as highly satisfactory. At the examination for proficiency certificates 1658 candidates from public schools were presented. Of .these, 1319 gained proficiency certificates, 173 gained competency certificates, and 35 endorsed competency certificates. The number of candidates was 63 in excess of the previous year, and the percentage of proficiency passes 79.5, as compared with 81.9 for 1927. These results show that an excellent standard of work is being maintained. It is worthy of note that 32 candidates were under the age of 12, and that of these 31 gaiend proficiency certificates. The number of adult teachers on the staff at the end of the year, excluding 25 relieving teachers, was 462, of whom 29 were uneertificated.

At the close of the year there were in force 35 junior ajnd 9 senior scholarships, of a total annual value of £635 13/4. The total expenditure for conveyance and Board allowances was £2,32/ 5/11. The average number of children conveyed was 368, in attendance at 43 schools, and the average number of children for whom boarding allowance was paid was 50, in attendance at 21 schools. -New schools were erected at Milson’s Line (Palmerston North), Makoikomiko Valley, and Waipuna. A new building for the accommodation of the secondary pupils, and manual classes in cookery and woodwork, was erected at Foxton. The average number of men employed on the Board’s building staff was 24, and this number is being maintained.

An exceptionally busy year was experienced at the Board’s workshop, which was employed to full capacity throughout the year. The gross turnover was £5,164, as compared with £3,367 for the year 1927.

The value of the furniture manufactured and issued to schools during the year was £2,217, being an increase of £467 over the previous year.

After allowing for cash assets and liabilities, the net credit balance at the end of ing for cash assets and liabilities, the net credit balance at the end of the year was £1621 15/8. Against the debit balance of £786 19/8 in the workshop account must be placed the sum of £1568 8/11, representing the value of materials in hand, and of works in progress, at the end of the year. Other assets comprise capital investment in buildings and plant valued at £1707 9/7.