B.—l.

Classification ano Examination oe Pupils. The average ages of pupils in the various classes of the primary schools are shown in the following table :— Average Age at End of Year. 1922. 192:}. Y. M. Y. M. Preparatory classes .. .. .. .. ..70 71 Standard 1 .. .. .. .. .. ..91 90 Standard II .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 2 10 1 Standard 111 ... .. ~ .. .. .. 11 3 II 3 Standard IV .. .. .. ... .. .. 12 3 12 2 Standard V .. .. .. .. .. ..13 2 13 2 Standard VI . . .. .. . . .. 14 0 14 0 All classes .. .. .. .. .. ..911 9 11 The examination of the work of Standard VI for certificates of proficiency and competency is conducted by the Inspectors of Schools, cognizance being taken of the teachers' estimate of the candidates' work throughout the year. Certificates of proficiency were awarded at the end of 1923 to 12,803 pupils of the public schools (representing [72-9 per cent, of the Standard VI roll number), 2,235 competency certificates (12-7 per cent, of the Standard VI roll) were also awarded, 628 of these being endorsed for merit in science or handwork. The following table shows the ages of pupils in the several classes of the primary schools. The numbers between the heavy horizontal lines represent those that, beginning school under six years of age, spend an average of two years in the preparatory classes and one year in each of the standards. The numbers above the upper heavy lines have progressed at a greater rate than that indicated, and those below the lower lines have either begun school later or have progressed more slowly.

The most arresting feature in this table is the large number of children in classes lower than should be expected at their age. Thus the preparatory classes had 12,693 pupils over the age of eight years. This number is certainly a considerable reduction on the total for the previous year, but it still represents no less than 18 per cent, of the total roll of those classes. Particular attention is being directed to the problem of retardation, and in some of the larger centres special classes for retardates have been established.

12

Classification and Examination of Pupils. The average ages of pupils in the various classes of the primary schools are sflOWll in the following table :— Average Ago at Knd of Year. 1922. 1923. Y. M. Y. M. Preparatory classes .. .. .. .. ..70 71 Standard I .. .. . . . . . . ..91 90 Standard II .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 2 10 1 Standard III ... .. ,. .. .. .. 11 3 113 StandardIV -. .. ..12 3 12 2 Standard V .. .. .. .. .. ..13 2 13 2 Standard VI .. .. .. .. .. 14- 0 14 0 All classes .. .. .. .. .. ..9 11 9 11 The examination of the work of Standard VI for certificates of proficiency and competency is conducted by the Inspectors of Schools, cognizance being taken of the teachers' estimate of the candidates' work throughout the year. Certificates of proficiency were awarded at the end of 1923 to 12,803 pupils of the public schools (representing JJ72-9 per cent, of the Standard VI roll number), 2,235 competency certificates (12-7 per cent, of the Standard VI roll) were also awarded, 628 of these being endorsed for merit in science or handwork'. The following table shows the ages of pupils in the several classes of the primary schools. The numbers between the heavy horizontal lines represent those that, beginning school under six years of age, spend an average of two years in the preparatory classes and one year in each of the standards. The numbers above the upper heavy lines have progressed at a greater rate than that indicated, and those below the lower lines have either begun school later or have progressed more slowly. Class P. Standard I. Standard II. Standard III. Standard IV. Standard V. Standard VI. Standard VII. Totals. Ages. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. 5andundor6.. 7,923 7,334 7,923 7,334 Boys. Girls. Boys. Boys. Girls. Girls. 6 „ 7.. 10,776 10,356! 73 72 3 2 10,852 10,430 3 2 .. 3 7 „ 8.. 10,324 9,291j 2,0212,047 111 141 3 1 .. 12,459 11,480 Ill 141 3 111 3 I | I 8 „ 9.. 4,970 4,183 6,6965,4131,7291,884 113 135 3 2 12,511- 11,617 4,970 4,183] 5,696 5,413 1,7291,884 113 1,729 113 135 3 2 102 66 9 „ 10.. 1,400 1,118 4,4433,7325,0115,1521,4471,531 102 66 .. 4 1 .. j .. .. 12,404 11,603 1,400 1,118 4,443 3,732 5,011 5,152 1,447 1,531 1 10 „ 11 .. 393 277 1,6571,1624,2103,6244,5704,7491,31l[l;439 82 108 6 _..'.. 12,229 11,363 393 277 1,657 1,162 4,210 3,624 4,570 4,749 1,311|1,I3!) 6 11 „ 12.. 112 107 487 3831,8141,4614,2023,8274,16614,2141,1231,202 93 95 •• 111,997 11,290 112 107 487 3831,8141,4614,202 487 383 1,814 1,461 3,827 ,166 4,214 93 1 12 ., 13.. 54 30 140 91 628 4252,2681,8603,8903,5153,540 3,6641,0201,064, 3 8 11,549 10,652 54 30 140 91 628 425 2,268 146 91 628 425 1,800 3,890 3,540 3,664 1,020 3 3 13 „ 14.. 18 13 51 24 201 125 935 6692,1291,7643,7663,2713,255 3,277 20 4210,375 9,185 18 13 51 24 201 125 935 51 24 201 125 669 2,129 3,766 3,271 3,255 3,277 20 42 14 „ 15.. 7 5 10 9 58 42 235 139 790 5001,8481,499 3,1012,883 34 47 6,083 5,124 7 5 10 9 58 42 235 10 9 58 42 139 790 '1,848 1,499 15 „ 16 .. 2 1 2 6 12 6 36 26 118 81 532 3491,4541,010 23 37 2,209 1,516 :' 2 6 12 6 36 2 6 12 6 26 118 532 349 16 „ 17 .. 1 .. 1 2 .. 2 8 6 11 13 61 30 194, 114 3 15 279 182 1 2 .. 2 8 1 2 6 II : 61 30 Over 17 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 3 8 8 25 18 I 3 35 28 1 .. .. 1 I 8 8 Totals, 1923 .. 35,98032,715 14,587 12942 13777 1286413818 12.143 12550 11597 10960 10135 9,149J8,460 84 148 110905 101,804 14,58712942137771286413818 13777 12.143 12550 10960 10135 , i ! ! ! The most arresting feature in this table is the large number of children in classes lower than should be expected at their age. Thus the preparatory classes had 12,093 pupils over the age of eight years. This number is certainly a considerable reduction on the total for the previous year, but it still represents no less than 18 per cent, of the total roll of those classes. Particular attention is being directed to the problem of retardation, and in some of the larger centres special classes for retardates have been established. •resting feature in this ii should be expected ; i over the age of eight n the total for the pi ;. of the total roll of 1 iroblem of retardation ates have been establis s tai at tl. year revio those ., am died.