3

1.—13b

13. "Agricultural Education. That the Committee dissents from the opinion that agricultural high schools should be ■established in agricultural or pastoral districts when the attendance at the district high school reaches an average of eighty pupils, as it approves continuation and development of the present system of teaching agricultural subjects; and that it approves of the establishment of one or more agricultural colleges for the training of farmers and the higher training of teachers and instructors in agricultural work. 14. " The Syllabus." That, while agreeing generally with the suggestions made on this subject, the Committee does not approve of the recommendation to prescribe specially prepared reading-books, and that before any alterations are made in the syllabus particulars of the same should be furnished to all teachers through the various institutes. 15. " The Kindergarten." That the finding of the Commission be approved, though the Committee is not prepared at present to recommend that the kindergarten should constitute the " initial step of the education ladder " of the Dominion. 16. " Education of Girls." That there should be greater differentiation of school-work between boys and girls; and that in the case of the latter greater prominence should be given to the domestic science course. (The Committee notes with satisfaction that this is recognized in the regulations of the Department.) 17. " Scholarships and Free Places." That the findings of the Commission be approved. 18. "Consolidation of Schools." That this subject should receive greater consideration from Education Boards, as both in primary and district high schools considerable improvement in efficiency, together with economy of administration, might bo secured. 19. " Facilities for Attending Schools." That the recommendation of the Commission urging the better co-operation of the Railway Department should be emphasized; and that in the case of all parties of pupils travelling by trains the headmasters of schools be instructed to appoint monitors, so as to secure better discipline, and do away with some of the objections to the present system. 20. " Free School- books." That in lieu of grants for free school-books the Boards now receive giants (a) for continuous readers, and (6) for school libraries; part of these grants is available for the provision of the class reader, which is supplied free in necessitous oases, or in cases in which a pupil has come from a school where a different reader is used. 21. "Encouragement of Teachers." That the question of encouraging teachers to increase their opportunities for improvement in their profession by enabling them to visit schools in the Dominion and elsewhere be recommended to the Minister. 22, " Private Schools." 23. " Correspondence Schools." That the findings of the Commission in regard to these subjects be approved. 24. " Superannuation." That the whole question of superannuation of members of the Education service be referred to the Minister for consideration." 3rd December, 1913. <;. \|. Thomson, Chairman. Approximate Cnxt of Paper.— Preparation, not given printing (1,400 oopieB), ±"2 10b.

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