EDUCATION: COUNTRY PRIMARY SCHOOLS (PARTICULARS RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1908 Session I, E-18

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1908. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: COUNTRY PRIMARY SCHOOLS (PARTICULARS RELATING TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the Ist July, 1908. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return showing (1) the number of country primary schools to whiob settlers have been asked to contribute towards the upkeep of the school, in consequence of the small number of children in attendance; (2) the educational status possessed by each teacher where such contributions are made ; and (3) the average attendance at each school where settlers have contributed to prevent the school being closed."—(Mr. Platman.)

Return.

iompi rom in: tormai iion lupp] upphed by Ki lei .ucation Boards.) (i) Number of Country Primary Schools to Upkeep of which Settlers have contributed. (2) (3) Education District. Educational Status possessed by Teachers where such Contributions are made. Average Attendance at each School where Settlers have contributed to prevent closing School. Kemarks. (Extracts from memoranda received from Education Boards.) Certi- Uncerticated. tiflcated. Auckland .. Paianaki Wanganui Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil The number of country primary schools to which settlers have been asked to contribute towards the upkeep, in consequence of the small number of children in attendance, is none. Sixty schools, however, have been held in privately owned buildings, for the use of which no rent has been paid by the Department or by the Board. Some of the teachers of the small schools get board and lodging at a reduced rate. The Board's regulations require the salary of male teachers in schools with an average attendance exceeding seven to be made up to not less than £100 per annum if the teacher is certificated, and to not less than £90 per annum if the teacher is uncertificated. The salary of a female teacher of a school of the same size must be made up to not less than £75 per annum if the teacher is certifioated, and, if the teacher is uncertificated, to not less than £67 10s. per annum. In several cases the Board has suspended the regulations in regard to certain schools, and allowed the teacher to make the best arrangement possible. In the majority of cases the settlers provide aooommodation free, or make a small charge. The Board has no definite information concerning payment by settlers to teachers of small country schools. The teachers themselves are expected to apply for and obtain the money from the settlers. In nearly every case, if not in every case, the teacher is uncertificated.

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Return — continued.

Education Department, E. O. Gibbes, _ . Wellington, 12th August, 1908. Secretary for Education. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,450 copies), £1 13s,'6d.

By Authority : John Mackat, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oB.

Price 3d.]

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(I) Number of Country Primary Schools to Upkeep of which Settlers have contributed. (2) (3) Educational Status possessed by Teachers where such Contributions are made. Average Attendance at each School where Settlers have contributed to prevent closing School. Remarks. Education District. (Extracts from memoranda received from Education Boards.) Certificated. Uncertificated. Wellington .. 10 10 (4 schools): averages—3, 7, 9, and 9 At four sohools in this distriot the settlers have been asked to guarantee a fixed salary in consideration of a teacher being appointed. There are six other schools where, besides the ordinary capitation, the teacher receives lodging. tawke's Bay 5 1 4 ! Averages—7, 8, 8, 11, 18 3 at 2, 4 at 3, 6 at 4, 2 at 5, 13 at 6, 5 at 7, 4 at 8 [arlborough felson 37 17 2 37 15 1 at 3, 2 at 4, 3 at 5, 3 at 6, 1 at 7, 3 at 8, 3 at 9, 1 at 10 In this district, where schools have a yearly average attendance of less than nine, the householders are asked to contribute to the extent of providing board and lodging free, which is estimated to be worth about £25 per annum. The Board establishes household sohools [i.e., schools with a yearly average attendance of less than twelve) on trie parent or parents undertaking to provide a suitable room and apparatus for school use, and also guaranteeing • free board and lodging for the teaoher, it being understood, however, that if there is a house allowance it is to be paid by the teacher to the parents of the children attending the school, towards the cost of board. There have been no cases whore settlers have given monetary assistance in order to maintain a school. The statement furnished re'ates to oases where free board is provided for the teacher. In each case the teacher is provided by the settlers with free board and lodging. The contributions, as a rule, are restricted to suoh an amount as, with the capitation paid by the Board, yields a salary at the rate of £65 per annum. The exceptions are Ashburton Porks and Plemington. In the case of certificated teaohers the Board is of opinion that the minimum salary should be not less than £80. Westland .. 2 at 4, 3 at 5, 1 at 6, 1 at 8 Grey 2 at 3, 2 at 4, 1 at 5, 1 at 6 6 6 North Canterbury 12 12 1 at 7, 3 at 8, 1 at 10,1 at 11 South Canterbury Otago Nil Nil 2,5,6, 3 at 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 1 school with average 6 Nil 10 Nil 10 Southland .. 11 11 Most of these schools were established for the benefit of one or two families (in most cases one family only), and may be regarded simply as household schools.