OUR SCHOOLS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1026, 25 April 1883, Page 2

OUR SCHOOLS.

The Secretary of the Wanganui Education Board not having had the courtesy to forward us a copy of the Inspector’s report, we have borrowed one, from which wo make the following extracts : Mtinutalii. General efficiency of school fair. Of thb master’s intelligence and aptitude in imparting instruction there can be no doubt whatever. He has boon in charge four months. This is his fiist school. With lime tic ought to make it a more efficient school than it now is, The first standard did very well ; the second pretty fairly ; the third requires more practice in the subjects of the standard ; the fourth made a very poor appearance in everything ; and the fifth was weak throughout. ‘W oodville. The children in standard I and II were backward in their attainments. The teacher cannot bo held up to blame for this. Ho is faithfully plodding away according to Ids capacity, and doing fair honest work. Thb room, however, is too small for the numbers, and tlie master is consequently hampered in Ids work. An addition to the floor space should be immediately made. Kakammea.

I find this school, as a general rule, to be well taught, and creditable to the teacher: He is doing honest and efficient work in the matters essential to his office. But I am not altogether satisfied with the quality of,the passes in the third standard and those below it. This remark holds true with regard to arithmetic and geography especially. Patea. The Board, the School Committee, and the teachers are to be congratulated on the well-sustained efficiency and unintermitting prosperity of this school. It is one of the most efficient in this part of my district, . and the tuition is given with much care and success. The first and second standards made altogether a very satisfactory appearance. The weak point was spelling, which must improve. The work in the third was much beyond a pass, but the spelling and the grammar were not what they should be. In the sixth and fifth the work was exceedingly well done, and neatly executed, - There were no failures. But of the number and quality of the successes obtained in the fourth I regret that I cannot speak in terms of unqualified praise. As a further proof that the teachers'are constantly at work, and do not spare either themselves or their pupils, batches of home exercise books,- writing and drawing books, and mapping were exhibited. ' These' were examined in no haphazard way, and I am bound to report that the interest evinced by the children in their work is most gratifying. Mr Flood, the second master, has sole charge of the drawing, which is above average merit. The singing and the needlework are moving apace.

Wlienuakura. The school is suffering seriously from neglect. The .discipline is bad, and the organisation unsatisfactory. The skill and spirit of the teaching are poor; The master appears to be satisfied with a low standard of duty. Out of eleven scholars scheduled sixorily made a bare pass, after repeated trials. The range of attendance is limited. EXCERPT FROM LOG. “ 4th April, 1882.—Got permission from Committee to take Thursday,, the 30th, and Friday, the 31st March, as holidays to make the ascent of Mount Egmont, as there seemed a likelihood of wet weather coming on at Easter. Made an error in coming down Mount Egmont, by which I was unable to return at the' time appointed, only reaching home on Tuesday (to-day) morning between three and four o’clock.” Kohi. Tliis school is still in good order, and the general tone of tuition has decidedly improved since last year. Most of the standards professed—indeed all, except the third—have made satisfactory progress. The needlework ia good. ■ W averley. I regret to have to report unfavourably upon this school. It does not now retain the good appearance which it has univer-, sally exhibited under the present master. The scholars .are apparently interested in their work, but the general state of the school, is not on® of progress. The upper standards have gone back. The first standard made, a good appearance, while the second and third betrayed weakness all round. Neither the number nor the quality of the passes was creditable. The preponderance of indifferent passes was unusually large. Special circumstances were advanced in explanation. The master’s indisposition during the earlier part of the school session, and the prevalence of measles, both before and at the time of the examination, are the principal ones. But only to the latter of these circumstances is weight to be attached. Since the above was written, the master has received the usual three months notice. He has resigned. He has since been suspended. Waitotara. The mistress is a praiseworthy person, and exercises salutary influence over the children, whose appearance and demeanour are highly creditable. Of the standard subjects, reading, writing, dictation, and needlework are attended to with care ; more attention, however, will need to be given to arithmetic, geography, and history. The first and second standards did fairly well ; the third did badly ; while the requirements of the fourth were fairly fulfilled. The needlework is very well done.