Appendix C]

E.—2.

erved their applcnticeship and, in most instances, attended the Training College, did very well, the number of untrained teachers who succeeded wholly or in part in passing the D examination was comparatively small. On the other hand the attendance at the Saturday classes has been large. The instruction at, the classes is good, but it is necessarily restricted in range ; with the guidance that the instructors are only too pleased to give it is, however, quite sufficient for those who are willing to help themselves. We are forced to conclude, therefore, that those who htrve failed to gain at least partial success at the January examinations must have contented themselves with attendance at the classes without making a vigorous effort on their own part to master the subjects of study. Proficiency Examinations .- -The proficiency examinations were held at twenty-nine centres (six more than last year), all during the month of December. Candidates living in remote districts were examined on the occasion of the Inspector's annual visit to the schools, which m every case took place after the middle of October. The number of schools so treated was seventy-two. Candidates that failed in these schools were allowed to sit for the examination again at the nearest centre. The following table shows the results in the public schools compared with those of 1913 :—

In this year's results there is an increase in the percentage of competency (iertificat.es gained, and a corresponding decrease in the percentage of failures, indicating the easier conditions under which the competency certificate can now be gained. The remarkable increase in the number of candidates is doubtless to be ascribed to various causes, among which may be suggested the increased facilities referred to above for attending the examination and a fuller realization on the part of the parents of the importance to pupils of securing a certificate before leaving school. A very much larger number of pupils are now taking the full primary course. The notable advance this year encourages the hope that the time will yet come when not age, but the standard of education, will determine the close ol the period of primary education, and that this desirable state of affairs will be brought about not by any compulsion, but by a quickening of the public conscience. In conclusion we have, to express our gratitude to teachers, members of School Committees, and others who have shown us much consideration and courtesy in the performance of our duties. We have. &c. A. L. Wyllie,) A. Inglis, [Inspectors. The Chairman, Southland Education Board. A. McNeil, j

XXXIX

! Proficiency Competenoy. Failed. Year. Number examined. , Number. Per Cent. Number. : Per Cent. Number Pcr"Cent j I T" i 913 914 634 462 72-9 67 1.0-5 105 1.6-5 754 545 72-3 145 19-2 64 8-5