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Our students continue to do good work at the Otago University, and as a class are well reported on. The Board's exhibitioners have kept terms as required by the Training College regulations. Five students are reported to have passed the first section of the B.A. degree, and seven to have passed the second section. Mr. George Simmers, who held a Training College scholarship, and Miss Annie Forbes, an ex-high school girl who completed her pass for Class C in the Training College last December, have taken the two New Zealand University senior scholarships which this year have fallen to Otago. As reported in 1885, under the impression that the system of practice in teaching prescribed by the regulations might be changed for the better, a trial of a different system was made with a few students, with satisfactory results, and during 1886 the whole of the students have taught in accordance with it. The students were divided into five groups. One group was composed of students who had not been pupil-teachers, but who at the end of their first year had passed for Class D, and did not intend taking University classes. They spent the greater part of each day teaching, and every fifth week taught for the whole week. They required this continuous teaching, and it was attended with good results. The remaining students were divided into four groups, each of which taught for a week in turn. The literary work went on continuously; but, to minimize the disadvantages attendingthe week's absence from classes, each student had at least one companion who engaged to supply full and accurate notes of the week's work, and every fifth week was devoted to revision and examination of the month's work. That the literary work has not suffered the satisfactory examination results quoted above clearly show. In addition to the week of teaching, three hours a week were devoted to model and criticism lessons. Students attending the University took their practice in teaching as prescribed by the regulations. In this work we were ably supported by the head master and staff of the practising school, and that it did not suffer by the continuous practice of students may be seen by the excellent report on the school after its last inspection. This may reassure any who may be doubtful of the results of their practice now that it is divided among so many associated schools. The following is an abstract of a return prepared for the Education Department showing the work done by the Training College since its opening in 1876. Of part of the information contained in the feturn we have no official record, but its accuracy is sufficient for all practical purposes. Students of Training College, Dunedin, 1876-86. Males. Females. Teaching in public schools ... ... ... 107 ... 120 Still in training ... ... ... ... 23 ... 39 Did fair service and left ... ... ... ... 30 ... 36 Did fair service and died ... ... ... ... 3 ... 5 Did little or no service (chiefly uncertificated) ... 7 ... 15 Total admitted ... ... ... ... 170 ... 215 The majority of these students are employed in the Education District of Otago, and the acknowledged high standing of its schools, as well as the favourable reports of Inspectors on individual teachers and schools, will indicate the character of the work done in the Training College. In several other districts our students have earned a good reputation, and have no difficulty in obtaining good appointments. Considering the large proportion of entrants who have passed into the service, the large proportion who have not been pupil-teachers and have passed for entrance by a purely literary test, and the short average period of training, it is surprising that the failures to do good work have been so very few. I have, &c, The Secretary, Otago Education Board. W. S. Fitzgerald, Rector.
Report of Art Master. Sir — I have the honour to submit my annual report on the School of Art for the year 1886. The total number that received instruction in the school during the year was 429, showing an increase of eleven since last year. This total includes 127 teachers and pupil-teachers, sixty-seven students in training, sixty-two students who attend the day class, and 173 students who attend the evening classes. The class for teachers and pupil-teachers was open every evening except Friday from 5.45 to 6.45, and that for the students in training every day except Friday from 11 to 12, the course of instruction being that for teacher's certificate. At the beginning of the session I found it necessary, owing to the number attending the teachers' class, to divide it into two, and take one half on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the other half on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This arrangement causes a little more work, but is much more satisfactory. In future the fourth and second class pupil-teachers' class will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the first and third on Mondays and Wednesdays at the same hour—s.4s to 6.45 p.m. At the last pupil-teachers' examination thirty-eight passed in freehand drawing, twenty in model drawing, thirty-three in practical geometry, and nineteen in perspective. At the examination for teachers' certificates fifty-one passed in freehand drawing, forty-one in model drawing, forty-five in practical geometry, and twelve in perspective. The students who attend the day classes continue to give evidence of satisfactory progress. Their drawings from the antique, from the living model, and their studies of foliage and landscape from nature were in advance of anything ever done by this class before. The evening classes were open
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