22 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



Paris, and indeed of the country. The normal school, as its name 

 implies, is for the training of teachers, perhaps it would be better to 

 say for professors in the lyceums, the colleges and the universities not 

 only of Paris, but of France. 



Normal schools are of two classes, elementary and higher. The 

 elementary were first established, though not without considerable op- 

 position. At present no one can teach without a certificate from one of 

 them. Instruction is free for those who are accepted as candidates for 

 teachers; oftentimes board and lodging are furnished. From the 

 elementary normal schools, which are the most numerous and of which 

 at least one is found in every department of France, come the men 

 and the women who train the children who are in the primary schools 

 of the nation. The state meets the expense of running these ele- 

 mentary training schools, but the departments are required to provide 

 buildings and the necessary equipments for them. 



The higher normal school was organized in 1795. By a decree of 

 November 10, 1903, which went into effect a year later, it was made a 

 part of the University of Paris. The instruction furnished by the 

 university is open to members of the Paris school, to whom many other 

 special advantages are granted. Candidates for entrance into this 

 school are limited in number and are received only after a severe 

 examination. None are received who are under eighteen or over 

 twenty-four years of age. The course extends through three years, 

 and is scientific or literary, as the student at his entrance desires. In 

 consideration of the provision made for his support while in the school, 

 he promises to teach at least ten years after graduation, or to refund 

 the cost of his training. This training is practical as well as theo- 

 retical. Each pupil is called upon during his course to exercise his 

 skill as a teacher in giving lessons to his fellow students, and is re- 

 quired to spend some weeks in one of the secondary schools of Paris. 

 Probably there are no schools in the world where more care is taken 

 un the training of teachers than in France and no one of the higher 

 normal schools has done, or is doing, better work than that in Paris. 

 In it some of the ablest men of France have been trained. 



