New school buildings have been erected in the following districts: Additions to school buildings have been made in the following districts: The total number of teachers and monitors employed was 461, an increase of 39. Of this number, 15 were employed in Nanaimo, 22 in New Westminster, 64 in Vancouver, and 50 in Victoria. There were 310 engaged in the Rural Schools, and of the latter number 35 were monitors. The percentage of average daily attendance was 64.13, the highest since the establishment of the present school system in 1872. The expenditure for Education Proper during the year was: The Education Office is indebted to the Department of Lands and Works for information showing the expenditure for the construction of new school-houses, furniture, repairs and improvements to school property. This expenditure for the year was $67,362.84. The following shows the expenditure for construction, repair, etc., of school-houses made by the Department of Lands and Works during the past five years: The total cost to the Provincial Government for all purposes of education during the past year was: Education Proper Department of Lands and Works .$268,653 46 The following table shows the cost of each pupil on enrolment and on average daily attendance during the past ten years: SCHEDULE OF SALARIES OF TEACHERS ON PERMANENT STAFF DURING THE YEAR 1898-99. CERTIFICATES OF TEACHERS ON PERMANENT STAFF FOR THE YEAR 1898-99. In addition to the above number of teachers in Rural Districts, there were employed thirty-five monitors, four males and thirty-one females, thirty-three at the rate of $40 per month, and two at the rate of $30 per month. The gradual growth of the schools, as well as the cost of maintaining the same, is fully shown by the record of attendance and expenditure given in the following exhibit : COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF ATTENDANCE AND COST OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM The following table will be found of great interest : MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOLS IN CITIES OF NANAIMO, NEW WESTMINSTER, VANCouver, and VICTORIA. * By amendment to School Act in 1888, City Districts were required to refund one-third of amount of teachers' salaries. + By amendment to School Act in 1891, City Districts were required to refund one-half of amount of teachers' salaries, and meet all other expenses connected with their schools. By amendment to School Act in 1893, City Districts are required to pay all expenses connected with the maintenance of their schools, and are allowed a per capita grant of $10 on the average actual daily attendance. They are also given the Provincial Revenue Tax. |