716 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION J. 



wlien the prospective teacher is designated junior student, pro- 

 bationary student, or student teacher; (6) The college stage; (c) The 

 post-college stage or period of ex-studentship. 



Under the old system too little accout was taken of this third 

 period. The student was supposed to leave the college with his train- 

 ing completed, and with nothing more to acquire in the way of 

 professional skill or knowledge. This is not so, perhaps never was 

 so, and hence, to secure the full benefit of training, super\'ision and 

 direction are needed for some time after the college course is 

 completed. Something analogous to the hospital practice of the 

 young medica,! man is needed. • 



In arranging the work of the first two periods of training there 

 are two principles to be kept in view : — (a) The separation as complete 

 as possible of professional and non-professional work ; (b) A much 

 more thorough professional study than has been customaiy in the 

 past. 



My own opinion is that professional study and practice should 

 be almost, if not entirely, excluded from the first period. In this I 

 am not borne out by current practice in England and Scotland, though 

 educational opinion, as shovv'n for instance in the recent Blue Book, 

 is moving in this direction. In New South V/ales the plan I suggest 

 is already in operation. 



The future teacher should pass from the primary to the secondary 

 school along with other children without being marked in any way. 

 When necessar}'- bursai-ies should be given without any restriction 

 as to future profession. A course of at least four years should be 

 entered on at 12 or 13. After 15, when the intermediate or 

 junior certificate is taken, there should be a partial differentiation 

 of children remaining at school. Those who propose to take up 

 teaching may now be required to decide, though they need not enter 

 upon any special course, but should pursue the general course leading 

 to a Leaving Certificate, or some equivalent examination. 



The leaving certificate would evidence the completion of a sound 

 and well balanced secondary education including at least two 

 languages, genei-al science, mathematics, draAving, manual work, 

 and music, with history and geography up to 15 at least. 



Students holding such a certificate would have carried their 

 general education far enough to enable them to undertake class work 

 with children up to 12 or 13. They might, therefore, enter at 

 once upon a course of professional training, and would pass out 

 after two years of professional work as teachers of the lowest 

 grade. A certain number, however, will be desirous of carrying 

 their general edxication further, and these should be allowed to do so 

 by taking selected courses at the university, or in the case of the 

 ablest stTidents by proceeding to a degree in arts or science. 



When the examination whicli marks the completion of the 

 secondary course has been passed, the student, before proceeding 

 to the professional work of the Teachers' College, might profitably 



