E.—l

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 1935 24 per cent, and in 1936 23 per cent, of those commencing a postprimary course did so under the age of thirteen years. IS. 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 O 1. —Probable Destination of Pupils leaving Public Primary Schools during or at End of Year 1936.

27

Year of commencing post-primary course .. 1932. 1933. j 1934, i 1935. ! 1936. Number of proficiency passes in previous 14,128 16,549 16,633 17,286 17,031 year in public primary schools and intermediate schools and departments Number of pupils who commenced a post- 11,019 11,637 12,143 12,632 12,849 primary course in State schools and who came from public primary schools or intermediate schools and departments Percentage 78 70 73 73 75 i

Age at which Post-primary Course commenced. Total Numbers commencing Under 12 12 Yearg 13 Yearg u Ye ars. 15 Years P EduSion7 Years. and over. Boys. Girls. Boys. : Girls. Boys. ! Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys, j Girls. Secondary .. 29 61 641 734 1,235 1,302 746 511 219 110 2,870 2,718 Combined .. 1 9 78 80 215 173 142 48 57 9 493 319 Technical .. 23 22 380 443 1,146 987 897 519 265 125 2,711 2,096 District high .. 12 26 255 321 486 489 278 246 79 67 1,110 1,149 Totals—1936 .. 65 118 1,354 1,578 3,082 2,951 2,063 1,324 620 311 7,184 6,282 1935 .. 94 121 1,348 1,534 2,959 2,793 1,923 1,419 672 314 6,996 6,181 Difference .. -29 -3 +6 +44 +123 +158 +140 -95 -52 -3 +188 +101

Totals. Had passed Had not passed Form II. Form II. Destination. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Number. J Number. „ Pel : uent. Cent. Postprimary .. .. .. 6,388 6,163 192 131 6,580 58 6,294 60 Commercial occupations — (a) Clerical (including typing) 34 34 3 5 37 * 39 1 (b) Shop and warehouse assistants 367 255 197 88 564 5 343 3 Trades —• (a) Engineering .. . . 150 2 48 .. 198 2 2 * (b) Building .. .. .. 55 1 26 1 81 1 2 * (c) Other .. .. .. 231 80 169 64 400 4 144 1 Agricultural and pastoral .. 1,115 63 952 60 2,067 18 123 1 Other occupations .. .. 338 330 384 274 722 6 604 6 Home .. .. .. 240 1,590 271 1,142 511 4 2,732 26 Not known .. .. .. 92 72 112 100 204 2 172 2 Totals, 1936 .. .. 9,010 8,590 2,354 1,865 11,364 100 10,455 100 Totals, 1935 .. .. 9,131 8,577 2,395 2,005 11,526 .. 10,582 Difference.. .. .. —121 +13 —41 —140 —162 .. —127 * Insignificant percentage.