E.—2

APPENDIX C.

REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS, 1914. AUCKLAND. Sir,-— Auckland, 10th March, 1915. We have the honour to submit for the year 1914 our annual report on the public primary schools of the Auckland Education District, and those private schools whose inspection was undertaken by the Board. At the close of the year the number of public schools in operation was 629, an increase of eighteen since the previous year. Twenty-six Roman Catholic diocesan schools, twelve other private schools, and the Anglican Orphan Home were also inspected. . The following is a summary of the results for the whole district: —

This table shows an increase for the year of 2,310 on the roll number, and 2,530 on the number present at the annual examination. The total enrolment in the Roman Catholic diocesan schools was 3,429, and of these 3,236 were present at the annual examination. The number of pupils on the Tolls of the other private schools inspected was 990. During the year, but chiefly towards its close, 2,168 certificates of proficiency and 343 certi•Dr ficates of competency in the work of Standard VI were awarded to pupils from the primary schools, as well as 119 certificates of proficiency and twenty-four certificates of competency in the work of Standard VI to pupils from private schools. With a few exceptions all schools were visited twice during the year. Pressure of work, arising largely from the general advance of settlement and from the attention demanded by the grading of teachers, prevented our paying two visits in every case. Towards the close of the ' year Mr. C. R. Munro again came to our assistance, and carried out the work of inspection with characteristic energy and thoroughness, his efforts being highly appreciated by those teachers whose schools he visited. Observation Schools.- —A considerable number of inexperienced teachers have taken advantage of facilities granted for visiting certain schools, with the object of observing work carried on under wise direction and more or less favourable conditions. Many of these teachers have profited considerably from the experience, but others have gained but little inspiration, and have returned to their work with but slender improvement to record. Teachers without experience, without any true conception of what can be accomplished and is being accomplished in types of schools similar to their own, without real enthusiasm, and without natural ability to understand and appreciate the difficulties and true significance of the work they are engaged in, cannot hope to derive much benefit from these visits of observation. It is greatly to be regretted that such teachers are to be found in the service, but the great demand for teachers in this large and growing district has compelled the employment of a certain number of men and women whose energies would be better occupied in other fields of activity. To the earnest teacher, with desire and ability to learn, the observation school is a very real help, and it is hoped that more of these schools will gradually be established throughout the district. The Training College Regulations recently issued provide for the admission of teachers to the Training College for short periods, a privilege of which teachers will no doubt largely avail themselves as the advantages become more fully realized. Promotions. —We would again draw attention to the remarks on this matter made in our last annual report. There are still a number of schools where pupils are promoted into classes for which they are quite unfit, and in which they are a constant source of worry and embarrassment to their teachers and class-mates. As we pointed out before, these premature promotions are

i—E. 2. (A PP . o.)

Classes. Number on Roll. Present, at the Average Age Annual of Pupils Examination. in each Class. Standard VII \ ... VI < ... V ! ... LV.; ... III.' ... II ... I ■ ... 315 2,813 4,318 5,064 5,614 5,828 5,894 19,693 233 2,652 4,178 4,922 5,442 5,615 5,588 17,871 « Yrs. mos. 15 2 14 1 13 4 12 5 11 5 10 5 9 5 7 3 Preparatory,;Vi.j ... Totals 49,539 46,501 9 10* * Mean of average ■ge.