E.—2.

[Appendix B.

Teaching Staff. —The following were the numbers of teachers, pupil-teachers, and probationers in the service of the Board at the end of the year : —

Grand totals : — Males. Females. jTotals. Certificated .. .. .. .. ..173 364 537 Licensed .. .. .. .. .. 6 5 11 Uncertificated . . . . .. .. . . 8 125 133 Total adults .. .. .. .. 187 494 681 Pupil-teachers . . .. . . .. .. 9 28 37 Total teaching staff .. .. ..196 522 718 Probationers .. .. .. . . 23 58 8] Grand totals .. .. .. .. 219 580 799 Including probationers, the staff numbers have increased by thirty-eight (males, eight; females, thirty). The number of uncertificated teachers includes those who have passed the examination in whole or in part, but have not yet been granted the certificate. With regard to the entrance of young people into the service as pupil-teachers or probationers, the improved rates of payment in force since April, 1920, came too late to increase the number of entrants. The very keen competition of Government Departments and commercial houses has always operated against the Education service in Wellington, and a shortage of supply was again experienced, though on the whole the standard of those entering the service was slightly higher. The increases in salary offered to country teachers have certainly induced a number to undertake country work, but still not nearly enough, to ensure all-round efficiency. Difficulty is still experienced in filling the remote schools and the lower-grade country assistantships. It is worthy of note that in those districts where a teacher is assured of a friendly welcome and a comfortable home much less difficulty is experienced in filling vacancies than in those districts where the living-conditions are unsatisfactory. Where these latter conditions obtain, the difficulty of efficient staffing is quite appreciably increased. Instruction of Teachers. —Arrangements were made for the following courses of instruction : (1.) Week-end classes at Wellington in drawing and handwork, home science, hygiene and physiology, and singing ; and at Masterton in drawing and handwork, hygiene, physiology, and first aid, and singing. (2.) A correspondence course in preparation for the certificate, open to all uncertificated teachers within the district, arranged by the Vice-Principal of the Training College, was continued throughout the year, and, though arranged somewhat late, the report shows that it proved highly successful. (3.) A continuous course at Blenheim was held during the last fortnight of the year, also in preparation for the certificate. (4.) A course in agriculture and nature-study was held at Masterton by the Supervisor and assistant instructors during the second-term holidays, and it proved a very great assistance to those who were able to attend. (5.) A special course of instruction was arranged by the Inspector of Schools at Blenheim, for the purpose of assisting young and inexperienced teachers in charge of small schools to greater efficiency in managing their schools. A model school of twenty children was provided from the Blenheim School. The benefit derived from the class was undoubtedly increased by the fact that the young women lived together in the Technical School under the efficient management of the Inspector and his wife. Training College. —The following are the essential statistics : The total number of students was 186 —44 men and 142 women. First-year students, 84 ; second-year students, 102. Students classified : Division A, 135 ; B, 37 ;C,4 ; D, 10. There were admitted fourteen returned soldiers. Students , Hostel. —The Board strongly supports the oft-repeated plea of the Principal for hostel accommodation for students of the Training College whose homes are outside of Wellington. The Board very much regrets that practically no advance has been made, although the lapse of another year and the increased numbers of students merely serve to emphasize the urgency of the need. The Board repeats that as the great number of young people drawn to State Departments in Wellington fill up every available place, suitable or less than suitable, accommodation for students, which is essential for efficiency in study, is not to be found. The facts are admitted, and the Board urges that the want be supplied. In this connection the Board wishes to express its grateful thanks for the fine service rendered to our students by the philanthropic owners of the Friends', the Students', and the Y.W.C.A. Hostels. Report of Inspectors. —It is very satisfactory to note from the report of the Inspectors of Schools that notwithstanding the admitted difficulties of the past year, resulting largely from varied epidemics, the efficiency of the work of the district as a whole is shown to have been well maintained, and that with few exceptions the least satisfactory work is to be found in the very smallest schools, the stalling

VIII

Head Teachers. Certifi- T- , Uncertifi- , , Licensed. . , cated. cated. Sole Teachers. Certifi- ,. , Uncertificated. ' cated. Certifi- T . , cated. Llcensed - Assistants. Uncertificated. [ales 'emales 88 9 1 20 64 5 4 8 59 65 291 1 66 Totals 97 1 84 9 67 356 356 i 1 66