xiv PROCEEDINGS. 



If Academic and High School positions are worth on an average- 

 only ten years' tenure we will require but six new Grade A's each year, 

 say ten to give them the benefits of healthy competition, and let them, 

 have a thorough college training or its equivalent. 



(c) The professional training of academic teachers and of the- 

 Principals of the larger schools should be part of a college course. 

 Elsewhere at some length I gave my opinions on this subject. At 

 present I will do no more than quote from an American educationist a 

 few sentences which express the opinions of the most of our educationists 

 and of .our college graduates. "The environment of learning and culture 

 are essential to the best training for the practice of the learned pro- 

 fession. * * * Existing normal schools, which have more than 

 justified their establishment for the professional training of elementary 

 teachers should continue to do their appropriate work. However much, 

 modified, they will not be well adapted to meet the wants of higher 

 teachers." 



Their professional training should be a post-graduate course at least 

 in part. If our larger colleges cannot provide pedagogical training for 

 the few Grade " A " teachers that we need we will have in the mean- 

 time no difficulty in obtaining it abroad ; but wherever it is obtained let 

 it be as thorough as the post-graduate training required in the other 

 professions. 



(d) Examinations in science, whether by the colleges or by the 

 Educational Departments, should be so modified as to take into account, 

 the pupil's laboratory work throughout the term and his present ability 

 to perform and interpret experiments, and also to examine and classify 

 mineral, plant and animal specimens. 



A certified copy of his Note-Book of experiments should be taken, 

 as evidence of his work. In order to have some reasonable certainty 

 that this work was honestly reported it would be necessary for some- 

 qualified person to inspect the laboratories and see tbe students at work 

 twice every year. A written examination does not adequately test a 

 student's science acquirements. If the Provincial Grade " A " scientific 

 examinations are to be continued they should be conducted at the 

 Normal School, and every candidate should have to do a certain amount 

 of laboratory work in the presence of the examiner. 



Such are a few of the suggestions which I have to offer for the 

 advance of science in Nova Scotia. I feel confident that if adopted. 



