73

E.—2

2. WELLINGTON. I have the honour to submit the following report on the work of the College for the year 1924. Roll.—The total roll for the year was —Senior students, 135 ; junior students, 188 : total, 323. This was made up of —Men, 100 ; women, 223. During the year two students left without completing their training, and one died. The numbers at the end of the year were, therefore—Men, 97 ; women, 223 : total, 320. The following shows the enrolment since the establishment of the College in 1906 : —

It will be seen that the decline in the proportion of men students noted last year has been more than overcome. Indeed, the proportion is probably just as high as is desirable to meet the requirements of the service. Classification. —The classification of students according to their various qualifications was as under : Division A, 269 (pupil-teachers and probationers) ; division B, 49 (no previous teaching experience) ; division C, 5 (University graduates) ; division !), 0 (adult uncertificated teachers). Again the proportion of "B " students shows a decline, and, indeed, bids fair to disappear entirely. There were again no "D " students. The coming into operation of the new regulations prescribing only one year pre-college training will in large measure counteract the undesirable effect of the decline in the number of "B " students. It is even questionable, in view of the fact that the pre-college service will be reduced to one year, whether it will be necessary or advisable to retain this class of student. The classification of students for the past five years is given hereunder for the purpose of comparison : —

New Students.—While again expressing gratification for the increasing number of applications for admission to the College, I cannot but continue to regret the fact that we have been compelled to refuse admission to an increasing number of very suitable entrants. I would also again stress the need for a revision of the educational qualifications for admission to the College. The present minimum attainment is deplorably, even dangerously, low. We cannot justify it on any grounds whatever. Aspirants for the teaching profession are at least much in excess of requirements, and the standard of general education demanded could be very considerably raised without creating an artificial dearth. Almost everywhere the need for a higher standard of general education in teachers is recognized. In Scotland, for example, new regulations were issued last year which aim to place teaching on as high a level as any of the other professions, and on a distinctly higher level than most. After 1926 men who desire to train for teachers will be required to possess a University degree or its equivalent. It is not suggested that such a standard, however desirable, should be at once demanded of prospective teachers. But the action of the Scottish Council indicates a direction along which all education authorities are moving—a better-education pedagogy. Yet we are admitting applicants whose standard of general education is not greatly above the Standard VI Proficiency. It is not because applicants with higher qualifications are not offering in sufficient number, but because we are required to grant preference to those applicants who have had two, and in some cases three, years' experience as pupilteachers or probationers. Those who refused the opportunity of earning, and preferred to carry forward their general education at considerable cost to themselves, are discriminated against, first by being the last to be accepted for entrance, and secondly by being paid a smaller sustenance allowance.

10— E. 2.

Number of Students. Percentage of Roll. Y ear. j Men. Women. j Total. Men. Women. 1906 .. .. .. 12 34 46 26-1 73-9 1916 .. .. .. 21 93 114 18-3 81-7 1920 .. .. .. 44 142 186 23-7 76-3 1921 .. .. .. 49 147 196 25-0 75-0 1922 .. . .. 74 203 277 26-7 73-3 1923 .. . . .. 67 227 294 22-8 77-2 1924 .. .. .. 100 223 323 30-9 69-] I

I Number of Students. - Year. p * j i Division A. Division B. | Division G. Division D. 1920 . . .. .. .. 145 37 4 10 1921.. ...... 145 44 2 5 1922.. ...... 175 86 6 10 1923 . . .. .... 213 76 5 0 1924.. ...... 269 49 5 0