278 Fifth Conference 



the intellectual point of view of teachers and pupils. 

 Its value largely depended on teachers being free 

 to follow their own bent in teaching it. The result 

 to be aimed at was openness and accuracy of mind, 

 not the power to produce for an examiner on an ap- 

 pointed day copious but largely evanescent masses of 

 knowledge. But if examinations were dispensed with, 

 some other guarantee of the industry and efficiency 

 of the teachers, and of the diligence of the pupils, 

 would rightly be required. These guarantees would 

 be best furnished (i) by securing for every intending 

 teacher a liberal education and a thorough pro- 

 fessional training; (2) by wise inspection of schools 

 in their normal working order; (3) by encouraging 

 educational experiments, and thus enlisting the active 

 interest of all good teachers in the improvement of 

 their methods of teaching and in the reform of our 

 school curricula; (4) by the maintenance of a high 

 standard of professional honour throughout the teach- 

 ing profession, so that it should be regarded as a 

 shameful act for any teacher to abuse the confidence 

 imposed in him by the parents and the State; and (5) 

 by taking every means in our power to quicken public 

 interest in the work of the schools, and to show 

 parents what schools can accomplish for the good of 

 their children. 



England needs the very best schools in the world. 

 She cannot copy the educational systems of other 

 nations, but she must study them in order to equal 

 or surpass their excellence in her own way. Once 

 let England realize what schools might do for her, 

 and there would arise, here as elsewhere, a great 

 national enthusiasm for education. To provide in 



