E.—2

[Appendix C

OTAGO. Sir,— Education Office, Dunedin, 31st March, 1913. We have the honour to submit our annual report on the work of the schools of this district for the year 1912. The following table shows the number of pupils on the roll, the number present at the annual visit, and the average age of each class for the whole district: —

Summary of Inspection Results for the Whole District.

From this table it will be seen that the roll number has decreased in Standards VII and I and increased in the remaining classes, while the average ages have increased slightly in Standards 111, V, VI, and VII. The average ages in these classes are slightly above the averages for the Dominion as shown in the Minister's annual report for 1911. We do not feel much concerned about this slight increase in Standard VI, for we believe it is due to two causes — (a) The improved material condition of the community, which enables many parents to keep their children at school to a later age than formerly ; and (6) the fact that the advantage of obtaining the proficiency certificate is more fully realized than previously. During a considerable part of the year epidemics were rife throughout the district, necessitating in many cases the closing of schools for more or less lengthy periods. The staffing of schools and the teachers' salaries depend on average attendance, and both Committees and teachers may be excused if they show considerable or even undue anxiety to keep their averages up by closing schools during epidemics. We are of opinion, however, that there is much need for reflection in this matter. So long as pupils are allowed to mingle on the streets, in picture-shows, and even in infected homes, closing of schools will not do much in the way of preventing the spread of epidemics until parents are roused to a sense of their responsibilities with regard to infected pupils. So long, however, as Committees' finances, teachers' salaries, and the staffing of schools are so closely connected with average attendance it appears to us that the practice of closing schools, futile as it is to prevent the spread of epidemics, will be continued. Throughout the district the School Committees as a whole are discharging their duties satisfactorily with regard to the care of buildings, grounds, and fences. In several cases considerable local interest has been shown in the plantation of trees for shelter and ornament; but there are still too many districts where the absence of shelter-belts and the bare appearance of the grounds testify to the indifference of Committees and parents to the well-being and comfort of their children while at school. Under regulations recently issued by the Department regarding free books, Committees will be enabled to establish school libraries at reasonable local cost, while Committees that have already provided books will be enabled to add considerably to the stock. The conditions under which departmental assistance may be obtained will shortly be issued to Committees. During the year considerable difficulty was experienced in securing certificated teachers for vacancies, and the Board was compelled to utilize the services of a number of men and women who had no recognized status. In most cases they were employed in small in- remote schools, and we are pleased to record that the majority of them are doing satisfactory work. At the end of the year there were about ninety teachers uncertificated, and twelve who held licenses. Of these, upwards of fifty have improved their educational standing, and have achieved whole or partial success towards their teacher's certificate. There are a few, however, who have taken no steps in this direction, and it is undesirahle that these should be allowed to continue in their positions. The Board, with the grant placed at its disposal by the Department for the tuition of this class of teachers, provided for tuition by correspondence for those in remote centres who expressed a desire for assistance, and in other cases provided for personal tuition where possible, while those who could be brought into Dunedin or Oamaru were grouped for instruction. In all cases except one the industry of the students was satisfactory. As soon as the detailed results of the January examination are to hand we purpose asking the Board to establish similar classes this year. At the beginning of the year new regulations for certificate examination of teachers were issued, and, in order to prepare pupil-teachers and probationers for examination, arrangements were made to group pupil-teachers and probationers for instruction in vocal music, physiology and hygiene, and first aid in Dunedin, and in methods of teaching and agriculture in Oamaru. The attendance and industry of these young people were most exemplary, and the courses found favour with the head teachers of the schools from which the students came. We are hopeful of being able to continue this phase of the work again this year.

XLVIII

Classes. Number on Roll. Present at the Annual Examination. Average Age of Pupils in each Class. Standard VII VI V IV III II I Preparatory : 332 1,226 1,850 2,279 2,436 2,636 2,559 7,616 314 1,179 1,796 2,229 2,390 2,581 2,504 7,120 Yrs. mos. 15 li 14 0J 13 2| 12 3 11 3* 10 2 9 0 6 10 Totals 20,934 20,113 9 9