11

E.—l

Registered Primary Private Schools. (E-2, Tables 1)1 and D 2.) The number of primary private schools (excluding private schools for Natives referred to elsewhere) registered under the Education Act, 1914, in 1918 was 210, compared with 197 in 1917. For the purpose of ensuring that children who do not attend public schools, wherein the State is willing to provide for them, are receiving adequate instruction elsewhere, private schools are inspected by the Department's Inspectors, upon the character of whose reports the registration largely depends. .Pupils in S6 are also examined by the Inspectors for certificates of proficiency and competency. The following are the statistics relative to these schools:— 1917. 1918. Number of schools .. .. ~ 197 21.0 Roll number at end of year—Boys • .. 8,195 9,042 Girls.. .. 10,399 11,034 18,594 20,076 Average attendance .. .. .. 16,429 .. 17,441 Number. Percentage. Number. Percentage. Children under seven years of age . . .. 3,582 19*2 3,957 20*0' Children from seven to ten years of age .. 6,091 32*8 6,684 33*0 Children over ten years of age .. .. 8,921 48*0 9,435 47*0 Children in preparatory classes .. .. 6,019 32*4 6,380 32*0 Males. Females, Males. Females, Number of full-time teachers .. .. 58 573 44 639 Average number of pupils per teacher .. 26 26 S6 pupils presented for examination .. 1 ,190 1,471 Number. Percentage. Number. Percentage Proficiency certificates issued .. .. 761 64 1,076 74*0 Competency certificates issued .. .. 228 30 227 16*0 Tables Dl and D 2 in E.-2 give particulars of the schools in the various education districts. A list of registered private schools is published each year in the New Zealand Gazette. Conveyance and Board of Scholars. Free passes on the railway to the nearest public or private school are granted to children living near to the railway-line but out of reach of a primary school, and the same privilege is enjoyed by pupils having to travel to attend secondary schools, district high schools, and technical high schools, and also by free-place holders travelling to attend technical schools or classes other than technical high schools. Education Boards are also authorized to make provision when necessary for the conveyance of pupils to primary schools by road or water and to contribute towards the payment for board of children compelled to live away from home in order to attend school. The rules under which the Department makes grants to Education Boards have recently been revised, the following being the rates now payable: — (a.) Sixpence per return trip for each child over five years-of age conveyed to the nearest public school : Provided that the home is not less than three miles from the school in the case of a child ten years of age or over, and not less than two miles in the case of a child under ten years. (b.) Sixpence per return trip for each child over five years of age conveyed by ferry to enable him (or her) to attend a public school, (c.) Eight-pence per return trip for each child where the distance to be conveyed exceeds five miles. (d.) Two-thirds of the recognized rates (subject in each instance to the approval of the I )epartment on the recommendation of the Board and the Senior Inspector of Schools) in the case of a child using a horse or pony as a means of conveyance where roads for wheel traffic are non-existent or are such as to be dangerous or impassable for vehicles. (c.) Five shillings a., week for the board for each child over five years of age who through impracticability of conveyance has to live away from home in order to attend a public school.