E.—2.

[Appendix D.

total number of children on the roll of the normal school (excluding the kindergarten) must not exceed 750. Provision is also made in the regulations referred to for a very material increase in the salaries of the teachers of the staff, particularly in the lower grades, and at the same time for the addition of certain positions to the staff which should add substantially to the general efficiency. The following gives the actual average attendance of pupils at each of the normal schools, the main schools and their adjuncts being separately given :■ —

Much information in regard to the courses of instruction taken by students at the training colleges may be obtained from the tables appearing in this Appendix. The following matter is summarized from the tables :— Table P2 shows the University work undertaken by students. In general, students are required to attend at least one course of lectures in a subject other than education at the University. Where, possible, in fact, it is contemplated that the general education of students should in the main be continued at the University, but it is not allowable that classes be taken there that are inconsistent with the requirements of the professional course, nor is it permissible to study for a University degree unless it is certain that the work can be undertaken without detriment to the student's training as a teacher. More than half the students took English in 1914, about one-fourth took Latin, and the subjects coming next in order were botany, domestic science, mental science, and French. At one centre a course in voice-production provided by the University college was attended by the whole of the students. Table P3 contains parallel facts for special classes of professional training for which provision has been made within the training college itself or in intimate connection with it. It deals only with students who are in their second year of training. The subjects are largely more or less compulsory in. character, though not of necessity for the second year, and include methods of teaching, kindergarten principles, elementary science, hygiene, agriculture, needlework, and drawing. The regulations impose the necessity of a certain minimum number of hours being devoted to individual practical work in elementary science and handwork, and to observation and practice in methods of teaching. From Table P4 may be learnt the initial status of the students at admission to the training college as set out in terms of the Department's certificate provisions, or with respect to the University qualifications on which they were admitted to the training college. Table P5 shows the certificate status as revised after the examinations of January, 1915, and includes those to whom trained-teachers' certificates were granted at the close of their training course without further examination. Of the second-year students 1 student at admission held a Class C certificate, and 40 Class D certificates. At the end of the course 9 student's held Class B certificates, 124 Class C certificates, and 71 Class D certificates. The increases provided for in teachers' salaries and students' allowances, together with the provision for additional members on the staffs, will result in an estimated increase of about £10,000 in the expenditure on training colleges for the current year. The amounts paid to Education Boards in 1913-14 and 1914-15 for the training of teachers were as follows:— I. Training colleges— 1913-14. 1914-lfi. Salaries of staffs (half charged to public-school £ £ £ £ salaries) ... ... ... ... 7,114 8,096 Students'allowances ... ... ... 21,876 20,067 University fees of students ... ... 3,370 3,272 Special instruction —Clause 6 (2) of regulations ... ... ... ... 1,042 1,471 Buildings, sites, and equipment ... ... 4,542 5,007 37,944 37,913

II

Main School (exclusive of Model Schools and Secondary Department). Secondary Department. Model School. Junior Model Sohool (P to S2). Total. tuckland Vellington Ihristchuroh .. )unedin 393 346 402 442 23 36 29 59 33 30 29 37 33 34 37 482 446 460 575