E.—l.

The Native schools provide education for Maoris in the outlying Native communities. Maoris are also admitted to the ordinary public schools, as will be observed in the above table. The roll number for Native schools as at Ist July includes a number of European children (829 on the Ist July, 1930, and 1,011 on the Ist July, 1931). It will thus be seen that 15,405 Native children, compared with 15,013 at the Ist July, 1930, were receiving primary education. The average attendance at Native schools was 90-7 per cent, of the average weekly enrolment. At the end of the year there were 323 teachers (including 101 junior assistant teachers) employed in the service. Of these, 166 (141 class teachers and 25 junior assistant teachers) are certificated. The position of junior assistant is akin to that of a probationer in the public-schools service. During the year the administrative organization of the Native schools has been remodelled. This change in administration has resulted in substantial saving, mainly in the purchase of bulk supplies. The examination and inspection of Native schools has been revised and a less formal system substituted, enabling more time to be devoted to constructive criticism and demonstration. Boarding-schools for the secondary education of Maoris have been established by religious bodies, and the Government provides a number of scholarships tenable at these schools, which are inspected by the Department's officers. There were eleven schools at the end of last year, with an enrolment of 382 Maori pupils, of whom 143 held Government scholarships. In addition, two Maoris held scholarships at Victoria University College and Otago University, taking courses in arts and medicine, and five Maoris held agricultural scholarships, three being tenable at Te Aute College, one at Wesley College, and one at St. Stephen's School. 24. REGISTERED PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. The following table summarizes the returns furnished by registered private primary schools with respect to the year 1931 : —

Table S.

The number of schools at the end of the previous year was 306, and the total enrolment 26,451. There has been an increase of thirteen and five respectively in the number of undenominational and Catholic Church schools and a decrease of nineteen in the number of other Church schools.

30

Undenomi- Catholic Other national Church Church Total. Schools. Schools. Schools. Number of schools .. .. .. 53 214 .38 305 Roll at December — Boys .. .. .. .. 1,041 10,737 722 12,500 Girls .. .. .. .. 1,215 11,750 1,261 14,226 Total .. .. .. .. 2,256 22,487 1,983 26,726 Average attendance .. .. .. 2,064-0 20,176-0 1,829-1 24,069-1 Teachers (inclusive of head teachers) — Men .. .. .. .. .. 37 49 21 107 Women .. .. .. .. 109 666 77 852 Total .. .. .. .. 146 715 98 959