51

E.—l

of successful candidates from secondary schools, on the other hand, was greater than in the previous year. The number of candidates qualifying for Senior National Scholarships was 127, of which number 8 qualified on. the alternative programme provided specially to suit the needs of those taking a rural or domestic course. Junior and Senior National Scholarships are tenable at secondary schools and district high schools, each for three years, provided that the total tenure of the two scholarships in the case of one person must not exceed five years. In addition to tuition fees, the holder receives £5 per annum if a junior scholar, or £10 per annum if a senior scholar, with, a further sum of £35 per annum in each case if obliged to live away from home. The figures below indicate the number and the value of scholarships current in December, 1916, and December, 1917, respectively. The number of scholarshipholders is, of course, included in the number of free-place holders shown in the preceding section. Number of scholarship-holders— 1916- 1917. Boys .. .. .. .. .. .. 252 403 Girls .. .. .. .. .. .. 130 235 Totals .. .. .. .. 382 638 Number receiving boarding-allowance (included in the above total) .. .. .. .. .. .. 143 211 Number receiving travelling-allowance (similarly included) .. 12 29 Number held at public secondary schools . . ' .. . . 334 542 Number held at other registered secondary schools . . .. . . 19 Number held at district high schools .. .. .. 48 77 Total annual rate of payment .. ... .. .. £7,748 £11,677 (ii.) Education Board Scholarships. The number of Education Board Scholarships current in 1917 was small, and will, in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1914, gradually be entirely replaced by Junior and Senior National Scholarships. (iii.) Foundation (or Governors') Scholarships. These, are of two kinds, those afforded by the Governors of secondary schools not granting free places under the Act, and those offered as additional scholarships by the Governors of schools providing free places. (iv.) Private Scholarships. These are derived from funds provided by private donors at certain sohools, by bequest or otherwise. The number of foundation and. private scholarships in the last term of 1.9.1.7 was 165. Of the holders sixty-three were also Government free pupils under the regulations. The total annual value of the scholarships in cash was £.1,234. In addition, free tuition was given, by the schools to holders of foundation and private scholarships to the value of £967, the value of the Government free places already mentioned not being included in this amount. Secondary-school Certificates. Three classes of certificates may be issued to free-place holders taking a secondary course of instruction. The intermediate certificate may be granted to junior-free-place holders who have satisfactorily completed under certain conditions a two-years course at a secondary school, district high school, or technical high school, and who in general are qualified in attainment to receive a senior free place. The lower leaving-certificate may be issued to pupils who have satisfactorily completed a three-years course of secondary instruction, including not less than one year of a senior course in which the standard of work is sufficiently advanced in character to meet the requirements of the examination, for a, teacher's certificate of Class D, or of the Matriculation Examination. Likewise the higher leavingcertificate may be granted to pupils having satisfactorily completed at least a fouryears course of secondary instruction and having satisfied the requirements of the lower leaving-certificate, and, in addition, having completed to good advantage and under certain conditions a further secondary course of not less than one year.