Increase in Schools.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2128, 16 July 1898, Page 2

Increase in Schools .

From the annual report of the Minister of Education laid on the table_of the House this week, it appears that during the year the number of schools increased from 1,533 to 1,585, and the tables show that the number of schools is growing faster than the number of pupils, there being on an average less than sevonty pupils to each school. The number of schools with less than 25 pupils was increased by 55, the number of teachers and pupil teachers was increased by 113, and the number of pupils to one teacher reduced from 31T to 30*5. The number of women te ichors both actually and re’atively. The total amount distributed in salaries to teachers, pupil teachers, and sewing mistresses in the last, quarter of the year was £359,412, which sum divided by 3.8! 0 gives an average salary of £94 6s Bd, or about £1 less than a similar avei’age of last year. Tl e number of teachers h lding rank which properly, requires a certificate (that is all excepting pupil teachers and sewing mistresses) was 2,549 at the end of the year, and of these 2,244 actually held certificates and 22 others had completed the examination for cei’tific ttes, but bad not fulfilled a sufficient term of service, or had no bad marks awarded to them by inspectors. The remainder is made up as follows.—92 in whose favour ‘ partial pass ’ was recorded ; 45 who had failed at the examination; and 146 who had never been examined by the department. Of these uncertificated'teachers, 14 held a license to teach.