B.—l

8

percentage attendances of 91-3 and 90 respectively. As far as comparisons can be made, the regularity of attendance in New Zealand does not appear to be inferior to that in other English-speaking countries, and when the large number of children who have to travel long distances to school is taken into account the result must be considered as highly satisfactory. The following figures represent the total number of children (of whom the average weekly roll number was given above) in average attendance at registered schools giving primary instruction : — Public schools (excluding secondary departments of district 1917. 1918. high schools) .. .. .. .. ..166,510 167,601 Native village and mission schools .. .. .. 4,619 4,492 Registered private primary schools .. .. .. 1.6,429 17,441 Lower departments of secondary schools .. .. 530 573 Special schools .. .. .. .. .. 588 248 Totals .. .. .. .. ..188,676 190,355 Classification, Age, and Examination oe Pupils. E.-2, Tahlcs 01-C7. Classification and Age of Pupils. The importance of correct classification is receiving the attention of all educationists, the necessity of avoiding waste of time and. of hindering the progress of bright pupils being fully recognized. In New Zealand the teachers —who should be in the best position to judge—have the work of the classification of scholars almost entirely in their hands, Inspectors of Schools supervising and assisting when necessary. On the whole the reports on the work of classification are satisfactory, more assistance from the inspectors being naturally required in small country schools. The opinion is expressed that full advantage is often not taken of the opportunity of promoting brighter pupils twice in one year. In order to carry out the system of " double promotion " the London County Council has a regulation to the effect that classification must be made at the end of the year, and must be reviewed at the end of the first half of the year. It is considered in London that about 20 per cent, of the children are fit to take the work of two standards in one year once or, at most, twice in the course of their school lives. Such promotions are more easily made in the lower standards. Classification is recognized as being a difficult problem, and various schemes are resorted to in order to make provision for backward and for especially bright children. The table below sets forth the ages and classification of the pupils of public schools in the Dominion : —

Classified Return of the Numbers on the Rolls of Public Schools at the end of 1918, excluding Secondary Departments of District High Schools.

ClasBl'. Standard I. Standard II. Standard III. Ages. ; Boys. Girls. Boys. I Girls. Boys.! Girls. Boys. Girls. I . 5 and under 0.. 7,410 6,761 6 0 Standard IV. Standard V. Standard VI. Standard VII Tot i Hoys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. .;ll«. Girls. Boys. Girls. Girls. 7,416 6,767 6 „ 7 .. 10,522 9,703 13(1 171 1 1 .. 7 „ 8 .. 9,61.0 8,525 1,7691,870, 128 119 4 9 8 „ 9.. 4,797 3,894 4,822 4,8051,5291,729 119 109 9 „ 10.. 1,535 1,140 3,8073,3194,3914,4301,3931,460 10 „ 11.. 482 351 1,511 1,2823,8403,4834,llo|4,073 1 •..[.. .. 10,653 9,875 119 9 11,511 10,523 1,729 109 10 0 11,277 10,543 4,391 4,430 1,460 178 184 3 3 10 .. 2 .. .. 11,307 10,545 3,840 3,483 4,1101 |4,073 1 1,4181,405 108 108 100 4 7 .. .. 11,473 10,701 11 „ 12 .. 142 121 524 3771,7001,4213,03513,327 12 „ 13 .. 00 59 175| 118 041 5101,9471,730 3,035; '3,327 3,492 1,0971,104 99 89 .. .. 10,723 1,097 9,931 3,400 1,947 1,730 3,401 3,090 3,196 3,1903,230 989 1,001 5 10 10,114 3,231 5 9,754 13 „ 14.. 18 19 53 50 241 159 833 654 833 654 1,857 1,549 3,246 3,240 3,098 2,7432,072 50 56 9,017 3,091 2,7432,672 56 8,257 14 „ 15.. ' 12 11 16| 17 40 26 217 155 217 155 568 464 1,5121,335 2,485(2,297 31 59 4,881 1,512 1,335 2,485(2,297 9121 728 31 59 4,364 15 „ 10 .. 1 1 4 3 10 10 34 25 34 25 115 65 384 384 296 912J 728 15 27 1,475 290 15 27 1,155 10 „ 17 1 .. .. I 3 Over 17 .. .. I 1 Totals, 191.8 .. 34,58930,58012,817 120191£58111*8881229311546 I 3 9 7 37 37 28 111 80 4 12 102 28 111 80 9- 12 7,352 0,894 4 12 137 1 1 1 3 3 1 9- 12 1 2 14 1 1 2 18 12293 11540 11023 10269 9,580 9,5809,2027,3520,894 112 106 100353 9,202 112 166 92,57*