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The examinations were held at sixty-seven centres in 1925. The total number of entries for all examinations was 12,451, of which number 11,218 candidates actually presented themselves for examination. A certain proportion of the absentees is due to the practice of the accrediting principle by which candidates for senior free places may be exempted from an external examination, as may also training-college students who are candidates for the teachers' examinations. 3,069 candidates were exempted in this manner from the necessity of passing the Intermediate Examination, of which number 2,698 are not included in the total of examination entries given above. The number of candidates actually presenting themselves for the various examinations during the last three years is shown below : — 1923. 1924. 1925. Junior National Scholarships and junior free places .. .. 2,564 2,481 2,687 Public Service Entrance, Senior National Scholarships, and Intermediate .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,222 5,192 5,097 Teachers D and C .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,319 3,353 3,393 Kindergarten Certificate Examination .. .. .. .. 6 3 3 Special Public Service Entrance Examination in August .. .. .. 162 121 London University Examinations .. .. .. .. 1 1 2 Qualifying Examination, Railway Engineering Cadets .. .. 4 1 Handicraft Teachers' Certificate .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 10,116 11,193 13,242 41 Of the 2,551 candidates for Junior National Scholarships in 1925, 237 obtained the scholarship qualification, 1,037 qualified for a free place in the scholarship examination, and 1,277 failed. There were also 136 candidates for free places only, of whom 19 qualified and 117 failed. Of the 1,105 candidates for Senior National Scholarships 138 gained scholarships, 787 qualified for senior free places, and 180 failed. Only four of the total number of candidates were examined on the Scheme B (Rural and Domestic) Course, nolle of whom qualified for scholarships. There were 2,996 entries for the Intermediate Examination, 2,203 candidates presenting themselves, of which number 887 passed and 1,316 failed to do so. The number present at the Public Service Entrance Examination was 1,789, 1,167 of the number passing and 622 failing the examination. The number present at the Public Service Entrance Examination held in August was 121, 73 of the number passing and 48 failing the examination. The number of candidates who sat for the different stages of the teachers' certificate examinations was 3,194 (539 for the whole or part of Class C and 2,655 for Class D). Of the total number 571 obtained complete passes in Class D, 111 in Class C. 1,727 improved their status and 785 failed to improve their status. Subsidy to Public Libraries. The sum of £3,000 was distributed to public libraries in country districts on the basis of subsidy on moneys raised locally by voluntary contribution. Two hundred and ninety libraries participated in the grant, receiving amounts varying from £7 to £14. The subsidy is not paid to libraries situated in towns or boroughs with a population exceeding fifteen hundred. Parliament will be asked to appropriate a further sum of £3,000 this year to enable the payment of subsidy to be continued.

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