9

E.—lb

Examination in Standards.—Of the seventy-seven schools in operation at the end of the school year, seventy-five had been open for twelve months or over, and all these were examined. The number examined in the previous year was sixty-nine. The schools at Paraekaretu, Cheltenham, Pihama, Cardiff Eoad, and Eltham were examined for the first time ; while Moutoa, which was closed for several months in 1886, was examined again last year. New schools at Hunterville, Pohangina, and Te Roti were not examined, as they had not been open for six months at the end of the year. On the days appointed for the examinations there were 6,503 children on the school rolls (629 more than in 1886), of whom 4,102, or 63 per cent., were presented for promotion in the six standards, 2,372 were in the preparatory classes, and 29 had passed Standard VI. Of the 4,102 children presented for promotion in standards, 3,874, or 94 per cent., attended and were examined, 228 were absent, 286 were excepted, 971 failed, and 2,617 passed the requirements. The percentage of failures was 27-06, and the percentage of passes 40-24. With regard to the latter percentage it must be remembered that, according to the new regulations, it is calculated on the number on the rolls ; not, as formerly, on the number examined in standards. The percentage of passes on the number examined in standards was 67-5, and on the same number but omitting exceptions 72-94. For the uninitiated the last is the fairest calculation upon which to judge the work done, and, as may readily be seen, it is the difference between 100 and. the percentage of failures. The number of pupils excepted owing to irregular attendance, expressed as a percentage of the number examined in standards, was 7'3 ; but several pupils passed their standards who would have been counted excepted on this grounp of irregular attendance if they had failed to reach the requirements for a pass. The attendance upon examination days was very good, and it was pleasing to see how the children at well-conducted schools thoroughly enjoyed their work. At many schools in bush districts, where the roads were very bad, I found every child present even on very wet days. Unfortunately, however, the attendance at several schools is very irregular, except when the examination is near at hand. Indeed, it is a common complaint with teachers that immediately after the examination many children are kept at home for weeks, and even for months. The following table (Table A) gives a condensed summary of the examination results during the past two years. Table B shows the results in each standard. Table C [not printed] gives every information with regard to individual schools.

Table A.

Table B.

2.—E Ib.

1886. 1887. Number on rolls on days of examination... 5,874 6,503 Preparatory classes Above Standard VI. 2,146 24 2,372 29 Presented in Standards I. to VI., inclusive Percentage of roll number presented Examined in Standards I. to VI. Absent in standards Excepted in standards [failed in standards Passed in standards 2,170 2,401 3,704 63-0 3,449 255 249 955 2,245 4,102 63-07 3,874 228 286 971 2,617 Percentage of passes (calculated on roll number) ... Percentage of failures ... Percentage of passes on number examined in standards Percentage of passes on number examined in standards, omitting exceptions 38-2 29-8 65-0 40-24 27-06 67-55 70-2 72-94

■si.sl Standard Classes. Presented. Absent. Excepted. Failed. Passed. Average Age of those that passed. *O to <D V} y, si! cm -9 Yrs. mos. 15 42 57 71 69 72 70 74 S7 ... S6 ... S5 ... S4 ... S3 ... S2 ... SI ... P. ... 29 164 313 642 838 1,107 1,038 2,372 13 16 39 65 51 44 7 22 47 68 77 65 50 97 219 253 212 140 94 178 337 452 767 789 13 11 13 5 12 9 11 9 10 6 8 10 34-7 35-3 39-4 35-9 21-7 15-1 Totals 6,503 228 286 971 2,617 27-06 * Mean of average age, 11 years 10'3 months.