EDUCATION,

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue III, 26 May 1870, Page 6

EDUCATION,

From the annual report of Mr. Hislop, the Secretary and Inspector of Schools in Otago, we glean, the following interesting facts :—: —

The total number of scholars, who had attended the various schools in Dunedin and throughout the province during last year, or any part of the year, was 58b"3 ; of that number 1846 belong to Dunedin, and 4017 to provincial schools. The respective ages of the pupils embraced in these figures are as follows : — Under 5 years - - 386 5 and under 10 „ - n 3052 10audunderl2 „ - - 1298 12 and under 15 „ - , 990 15 and upwards - - 137 From this it will be observed that the largest number ia attendance is between the ages of 5 and 10, after which, there is a lamentable falling off, the number being reduced, between the ages of 10 and 12, to 1298. The decrease, between the ages of 12 and 15, to 900 is not to ba so much wondered at, as boys about 14 or 15 are generally supposed to be old enough to do something to assist themselves and their parents. We regret, however, to notice the great falling off in the number between the ages of 10 and ]2, the very 1 time wheu boys and girls are most likely to receive the ground work of -a good elementary education, upon which, too high a value cannot be placed. The cost to the province of the Bducaj tional system far the past year has been £14,314 133 6d, independent of school fees. It is gratifying in looking over the list of sums contributed by the various districts in the form of school fees, &c. , to find that Lawrence stands the highest of any school out of Dunedin. The figures are as follows : — School fees, LlB9 73 6d; other sources, L3l 9s Wetherstones, in the Tuapeka district, comes next in importance, and for a side school the amount reflects great credit upon the teacher and the School Committee, whose united energy is worthy of emulation. The amount set down for

school fees for Wetherstones is L 64 Is 6d ; contributions, <fee, LB6 5s 9d Waitahuna — School fees, L 77 ; contributions, &c, L 22 Is. Blue Spur— Fees, L634s ; contributions, L 27 Is. Switzers— Fees, L6l; contributions, LBB 19s. Teviot— Fees, L3B 03 3d ; contributions, L4l 13s lOd. Tapanui -Fees, L4O Is 6d ; contributions, Ll9 133 6d. Moa Flat— Fees. L2O 0s 6d ; contributions, L 5 63. Waipori — Fees, L 62 103 ; contributions, L 33 33 9d. Alexandra— Fees, LIO4 7s; contributions, L 49 4s. The attendance at the above schools was as follows :—: — Lawrence - 149 Wetherstones 70 Waitahuna 81 Blue Spur - 54 Switzers 50 Teviot 51 Tapanui 43 Moa Flat 22 Waipori 38 Alexandra 81 We are somewhat surprised to find that out of eighty schools in Otago, only in some fifty-four is the geography of New Zealand taught, and Wetherstones, Blue Spur, Moa Flat, and Teviot are not included in that number. Altogether we think the districts we have referred to may be congratulated upon the number of pupils attending the various district and side sohools, and we are glad to observe the very liberal support given to these schools, altogether apart from school fees and Government assistance, It shows the infinite value in which these noble institutions are held.