E.—l.

The percentage of holders of proficiency certificates who go on to post-primary schools would appear to have increased in the last two years. This increase, however, coincides with a relaxation of the conditions under which a junior free place may be held and is probably apparent only as the returns did not in those years separate new entrants into those with proficiency certificates and those without. The ages at which pupils commenced their post-primary course are given in the following table : —

Table N.—Ages at which Pupils commence Post-primary Course.

In 1930 19 per cent, and in 1931 22 per cent, of those commencing a postprimary course did so under the age of thirteen years. 15. DESTINATION OF PUPILS LEAVING SCHOOL. A summary of the destination returns obtained from the schools, through the various Boards, is given in the following tables :■ —-

Table O1. —Probable Destination of Pupils leaving Public Primary Schools during or at End of Year 1931.

22

Age at which Post-primary Course commenced. Total Numbers commencing Post-primary Under 12 j2 Years. 13 Years. 14 Years. 1 , ears Education. Years. anct over. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys, i Girls. Boys. | Girls. Boys, j Girls. Boys. Girls. I I r i i Secondary .. 60 52 568 655 1,199 1,257 689 600 232 1102,748 2,674 Combined .. 2 17 13 41 52 | 26 30 11 12 97 107 Technical.. .. 13 17 280 315 939 787 778 532 265 1402,275 1,791 District high .. 31 33 272 292 531 514 345 259 108 591,287 1,157 Junior high .... 4 41 46 96 97 69 59 23 14 229 220 Totals—1931 .. 106 106 1,178 1,321 2,806 2,707 jl ,907 1,480 639 335 6,636 5,949 1930 .. 122 104 1,148 1,155 2,944 2,789 1,960 1,632 686 472 6,860 6,152 Difierence .. —16 -j-2 —(—30 —(—166 —138 —82 —53 —152 —47 —137 —224 203

Totals. Had passed Had not passed Form II. Form II. Boys. j Girls. Destination. j j i Ppf P~ r Boys. I Girls. Boys. Girls. Number. Q en t Number. ■ ! Post-primary .. .. .. 5,394 4,720 210 190 5,604 53 4,910 51 Commercial occupations — (a) Clerical (including typing) .. 32 29 14 13 46 * 42 (b) Shop and warehouse assistants 125 71 54 52 179 2 123 | 1 Trades— (a) Engineering .. .. 34 . . 20 . . 54 1 .... (b) Building . . .. 32 . . 27 .. 59 1 . .. (c) Other 90 : 13 42 17 132 1 30 * Agricultural and pastoral .. 1,399 ' 146 1,107 84 2,506 24 230 2 Other occupations .. .. 278 171 222 175 500 5 346 4 Home .. .. .. 622 2,294 493 1,461 1,115 10 3,755 39 Not known .. .. . • 149 110 203 175 352 3 285 3 Totals, 1931 .. .. 8,155 7,554 2,392 j 2,167 10,547 100 9,721 100 Totals, 1930 .. .. 8,820 8,444 2,300 ! 2,151 11,120 .. 10,595 I Difference .. .. —665 —890 +92 +16 —573 .. j —874 * No significant percentage.