13

E.—l

Pupils leaving the Primary Schools. The number of pupils returned as having left the public schools in 1922 was 17,881, of whom 13,251 had passed Standard VI and 4,630 (or 26 per cent.) had not. Sixty-six per cent, of those who left with the proficiency qualification entered upon a course of secondary or full-time technical education in 1923. Registered Private Primary Schools. The provisions of the Education Amendment Act, make it compulsory for all private schools to apply for registration, which is granted if in the opinion of the Department's Inspectors the instruction afforded is as efficient as in a public school of the same class and if the school is satisfactory from the point of view of premises, staff, and equipment. The operation of the Act has resulted in the registration of an increased number of private schools, and in raising the efficiency of some that were below the required standard. The parents of children attending unregistered schools are liable to a penalty under the compulsory attendance clauses of the Act. Private schools are inspected annually by the Department's Inspectors, and the S6 pupils examined for the award of proficiency certificates ; in this way it is ensured that children not attending the State schools are receiving an adequate education elsewhere. The following statistics relate to registered primary schools in 1923 :—

The ages of the pupils at the end of the year were :— Under 7 years .. .. 4,318 13-14 years .. .. 2,467 7-1.1 years .. .. 10,995 .1.4-15 years .. .. 1,531 11-12 years .. .. 2,814 Over 15 years .. .. 1,141 12-13 years .. .. 2,744 Total ~ .. 26,010 Of the pupils on the roll of Standard VI, 71-5 per cent, gained proficiency certificates and 13-1 per cent, gained competency certificates ; the corresponding percentages for the public schools were 72-9 and 12*7 per cent, respectively. Physical Education. The Chief Physical Instructor reports that the work of physical training is progressing in a satisfactory manner throughout the country. The staff has been increased in number during the year to fifteen. It has been proved that where there are efficient teachers, and where schools have had fairly frequent visits by physical instructors, the physique of the children is superior to that of children in schools where such conditions do not exist. Teachers speak of the great value of visits paid by physical instructors and of the benefit derived by both children and teachers from these visits. Particular stress is laid on the value of refresher courses for teachers and of the work at the training colleges. Corrective classes are still in being, but the time is coming when these will not be necessary. In one district it has been found that there were insufficient children showing postural deformity

Undenominational Schools. Catholic Schools. Other Church Sohools. Totals. Number of schools 55 183 56 294 Roll—Boys Girls 901 1,358 9,591 11,158 1,266 1,736 11,758 14,252 Both sexes 2,259 20,749 3,002 26,010 Average attendance 1,948 19,048 2,878 23,874 Teachers —Men .. Women 23 116 39 587 32 110 94 813 Both sexes 139 626 142 907