E.—3

The following table shows the increase in attendance since 1907. It will be noticed that the roll number has increased 75 per cent. since that year.

There were on the roll at the Ist July, 1933, 6,442 Maori children (6,635 in 1932) and 932 European children (970 in 1932), making a total roll number at that date of 7,374. During 1933 two schools were opened —Rahiri and Ratana Pa. No schools were closed. 3. Staff. At the 31st December, 1933, 332 teachers were employed, of whom 229 were certificated and 103 uncertificated. One hundred and nine members of the staff were junior assistants, 63 being fully qualified teachers ; 74-4 per cent, of the head and class teachers held certificates (67-4 per cent, in 1932). The Department's appeal for a complete reconsideration of the teaching methods, and for the development of a broader conception of the function of a Native school, has made heavy demands on the teachers' time and enthusiasm, but, with few exceptions, teachers have co-operated whole-heartedly with your Inspectors. 4. Buildings. During 1933 the residence and class-room which were at Taemaro were transferred to Rahiri. The supervision by the head teachers of the cleanliness of all school buildings was satisfactory. effort was made, both directly and indirectly, to develop in the child the right attitude to and appreciation of cleanliness. Recent years have seen a marked improvement in the attractiveness of the class-rooms and in their tidy and orderly arrangement of furniture, books, and cupboards. 5. Grounds. As in past years, the state of the school-grounds has improved, in some cases to a marked degree of excellence. The policy of tree-planting, which was put upon a systematic basis twoyears ago, is now becoming effective, and many fine shelter-belts are in evidence. Attention has been given to the better choice of trees for each locality, with the result that success has been gained in what had hitherto seemed hopeless areas. The educative and uplifting influence of beautiful grounds has been fully stressed by your officers, and commendable progress has been made. 6. Training of Teachers. Instruction of the uncertificated junior assistants by the head teachers has been satisfactory, and it is a pleasure to be able to report the high efficiency and the whole-hearted interest of the Maori junior assistants. The Native-school teachers themselves have organized a large number of discussion circles in various convenient centres, and these continue to provide valuable opportunities for social and professional intercourse. Your Inspectors" take every opportunity of meeting the teachers at these gatherings. The Auckland Education Board invited Native-school teachers in its district to attend a refresher course held in the autumn vacation. A large number of Native-school teachers accepted and attended. The supply to discussion circles of educational literature from the Education Department's library was continued throughout the year. This service has helped to arouse in many teachers a keen interest in modern educational movements, and has resulted in a larger number of teachers becoming regular subscribers to educational journals. The " Native Schools " column of the New Zealand Education Gazette has been maintained chiefly by teachers' contributions. This privilege is a valuable one, affording as it does a means of promulgating new ideas and methods throughout the Service. The Department is indebted to Drs. Turbott and Cook, District Medical Officers of the Health Department, and to Messrs. Dennehy and Lockhart, Agricultural Instructors of the Auckland and Hawke's Bay Education Boards respectively, who addressed large meetings of teachers. 7. Grading of Schools. For 1933, schools have been graded with reference to efficiency as follows (the figures in parentheses indicate the 1932 grading) : Excellent, 2 (Nil) ; very good, 22 (15) ; good, 47 (31) ; very fair, 34 (34) ; fair, 23 (37) ; poor, 9 (18).

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Year. t Roll Number. Average Attendance. A ™ttendance kly 1907 .. .. .. 4,183 3,561 4,321 1912 .. •• 4,694 4,042 4,644 1917 .. .. .. .• 5,173 4,507 5,191 1992 .. .. 6,161 5,436 6,119 1927 .. .. 6,620 5,816 6,655 ]932 .. ■• 7,313 6,848 7,524 1933 j 7,340 6,581 7,346 I ! - :