WANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 425, 14 May 1879, Page 2

WANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD.

The following concludes the report of the Inspector on schools within the County . ' WAYERLEY. December 7th and 9th., Mr J. C. Hansard—in charge 3 years and 6 m onths; Miss Hal 1, assistant. On books, 105 ; present, 95. This large school was crowded to excess. In consequence, the teachers’ efforts.to inculcate self-dependence upon the pupils were, to a great extent nullified. I observed, in all the classes,; that the want of selfreliance was painfully visible. This, in a great measure, accounted for the marked deficiencies, and serious failures, which too frequently became apparent in the course of the examination, especially in the written papers which were banded'' in. Indeed, it appeared to me to be physically impossible for the teachers to prevent the children from acting unfairly, and copying. Order and dicipline suffered proportionately. From an over-anxious desire to advance his scholars, the master had classified not a few of them in Standards beyond their present attainments. After the mid-summer holidays, the large additional accommodation which is to be provided, will enable the teacher to organise and diciplineshis school properly. The 37 children presented in Standard 1., acquitted !themselves very well indeed. Out of this largenumber, there were only four,serious.failures.. Except in reading, the children were' fairly up in the work of the standard. Marked deficiencies and serious failures, -in * arithmetic," grammar, and geography, i were prominent in Standards ll.,and 111.

Of the seyen presented in Standard 11., only 2 succeeded ; and of the 16 presented in Standard 111., 10 succeeded. Throughout Standard IV. there were marked deficiencies and failures, in arithmetic (practical and mental), and in geography. . The written papers brought out this fact, that at least 7 candidates presented had been wrongly placed, and should have been classed in.Standard 111. Had it not been for this error in classification, the outcome of Standard IV. would have been highly satisfactory. Out of the 16 examined, 7 succeeded. The Sixth Standard candidates failed, having been wrongly classed. Percentage of passes in lower standards, 71 ; and in the higher 41. Handwriting throughout, very good ; recitation of poetry, fair ; reading, improvable ; verbal knowledge, fair. I have the greatest confidence in the future efficiency of this school. KOHL Decembeb 7th. The school was closed on the occasion of my first visit, owing to the prevalance of fever in ths District. I again visited the school on the 7th February, 1879, and examined the children with the following results : Mr P. Macomish—in charge 8 months. On books, 25 ; present, 20. All the twelve children presented in the First Standard passed remarkably well. The weak point was notation. One only of the five put forward in the Third Standard shewed weakness in more than two subjects. Percentage of passes, 100. Considering the time Mr Macomish has been in charge, the results are highly gratifying, and justify the confidence reposed in him by the settlers, and by bis Committee. The school is in a creditable state, both of discipline and progress, and promises well to be of great use in the District. The master is a man of good attainments, and performs his work with intelligence and method, is a good disciplinarian, and earnest in his duties. WAITOTARA.

Mrs E. Jordan—in charge 2 years and 7 months. On books, 31 ; present, 29. Seven presented in Standard 1., and succeeded satisfactorily. Of six put up in Standard 11., one only failed. Three were presented in Standard 111., two of whom did not succeed. Percentage of passes, 81. This school made a very creditable appearance ; but it seemed to me, that the children were pushed into subjects much beyond their powers, and that the groundwork of essentials and first principles had been somewhat overlooked. The teacher is active and energetic, and maintains excellent order and discipline.