The preceding figures include all pupils, whether attending the Primary, Advanced, Superior, or Grammar Schools, who are not in advance of Standard VIII. The number of pupils in advance of this standard will be seen from Table XII.

COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.

The Course of Instruction adopted by the Board three years ago has proved to be generally adapted to the requirements of the country, and in harmony with the most approved inodern educational ideas. Experience has, however, shown the desirability of some modifications, especially in the higher standards. Greater concentration seems to be demanded in regard to some of the more important studies of Grades VII. VIII and IX; it may also be questioned whether relief is not desirable in regard to the great variety of subjects required in certain parts of the Course. Careful attention will be given to this matter at an early date.

TABLE IV.-NUMBER, SEX, AND CLASS OF TEACHERS AND ASSISTANTS

TABLE V.- PERIOD OF SERVICE OF TEACHERS.

Of the 1,601 Teachers employed during the Term ending Dec., 1890, 919 were employed in the same District as during previous term, 200 were engaged for the first time, and 319 others had not been more than three years in the service. Of the 279 First-Class Teachers employed, 204 had been upwards of five years in the service. Of the 796 Second-Class Teachers employed, 362 had been upwards of five years in the service.

Of the 1,590 Teachers employed during the term ending June 1891, 967 were employed in the same District as during previous term, 87 were employed as teachers for the first time, and 508 others had not been more than three years in the service. Of the 274 First-Class Teachers employed this term, 213 had been upwards of five years in the service. Of the 765 Second-Class Teachers 390 had been upwards of five years in the service.

TABLE VI.-TIME IN SESSION OF THE SCHOOLS.

Second Term, 1890.-There were 97 teaching days in this Term. The average number of days the schools were in session was 91.93.

First Term, 1891.-The total number of teaching days was 125. The average number of days the schools were in session was 112.8. It will thus be seen that the schools were open on an average about 95 per cent. of the whole number of days First Term, and 90 per cent. of the Second.

TABLE VII.-EXAMINATIONS, PRIZES, VISITS.

The number of schools reporting semi-annual public examinations was 1,285 for the First Term and 1,384 for the Second. 677 prizes of the aggregate value of of $373.12 were given to pupils during the year.

The County Inspectors made 946 visits to the schools during the term ending Dec. 1890, and 1,077 during the term ending June 1891, being an increase respectively of 138 and 62 on the number of visits made by them during the corresponding terms of the previous year. The visits by Members of Parliament, Clergymen, Teachers, and others show an increasing interest in the schools; but it is to be regretted that the record shows a marked decrease in the number of visits paid by the Trustees and the Trustees' Secretaries. Next to the ability and fidelity of the teachers, the prosperity and efficiency of our educational work depend more upon the intelligence, the liberality, and the hearty and persevering co-operation of the Trustees, than upon any other agency whatever.

TABLE VIII.—AVERAGE SALARIES OF TEACHERS.

The average rate of Teacher's Salaries per annum from all sources, compiled from the returns of the First Term of 1891, was as follows:

The Salaries of Grammar School Principals are not included in the above averages, (see Table XII).

The increase of $24.11 on the average salary of First-Class Male Teachers is especially gratifying. It is to be hoped that School Boards will afford every possible encouragement to competent and experienced teachers to remain in the profession, and to continue year after year in charge of the same schools in which they may have won a reputation for faithfulness and efficiency.

In comparing the average salaries paid in the several Counties it will be seen that the following are above the average in the respective classes :1st Class Male-St. John, York.

2nd 3rd

St. John, Charlotte, Gloucester, Westmorland.

Charlotte, Gloucester, St. John, York, Westmorland, Victoria, Madawaska.

1st Class Female-St. John, Kings, Charlotte.

All the teachers in the County of Madawaska engaged during the two terms were of the third class.

The following table shows the average salaries for the Province since 1882 the salaries for the years 1880 and 1881 were not reported:

TABLE IX.-DISBURSEMENTS OF PROVINCIAL GRANTS.

The total amount of Provincial Grants to Teachers for the year ended June 30th, 1891, was as follows:

Of the above sum $6,023.80 were paid as special grants to teachers in poor Districts.

The total expenditure during the year for the Grammar, Superior and Common Schools, (not including district assessments for School buildings and apparatus), is approximately as follows:

PROVINCIAL GRANTS FOR SCHOOLS FROM THE YEAR ENDING APRIL, 1877, to JUNE, 1891, INCLUSIVE, AND NUMBER OF TEACHERS