294 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



It is a matter of very great importance that the schoolroom should be 

 large, commodious, and well ventilated. Where this is not the case, the 

 health of the children suffers in consequence. The Government regula- 

 tions are, that "the grant is withheld altogether if the school be not 

 held in a building certified by the inspector to be healthy, properly 

 lighted, drained, and ventilated, supplied with offices, and containing in 

 the principal schoolroom at least eighty cubical feet of internal space 

 for each child in average attendance." 



In country schools there is often a great want of proper offices outside 

 for the children, so that all of them, both boys and girls, generally use 

 the same water-closets, &c. This is far from being proper, and in schools 

 which are under Government inspection, and are receiving Government 

 grants, this is not allowed. A complete separation should be made 

 between the sexes. 



It is, of course, of the greatest importance to secure a first-class 

 teacher ; and in this case it is not wise to take an inferior master at 

 a low salary, but rather employ one who is thoroughly efficient at a 

 remunerative salary. 



On some estates it is the custom to pay the teachers a fixed salary, 

 and the managers receive the school-fees. This I think is not a good 

 plan, as there is no inducement for a teacher to strive to enlarge his 

 school ; and consequently I consider it better to pay a salary, and also 

 to allow the teacher to receive the school-fees. He has thus an induce- 

 ment to push on and enlarge his school 



Attention should be paid to the amount of the fees to be paid by 

 the different classes of children on the property. Sometimes the 

 charge for labourers' children is made too high, and the result is 

 that the children are kept away from school from the inability of the 

 parents to meet the school-fees. It is better to rate them at a lower 

 sum, and secure their constant attendance at school. I have found 

 in many districts that the parents do not appreciate the benefits of the 

 school for their children, and they keep them at home rather than send 

 them to school. On a landed estate where this may be the case, a little 

 tact on the part of the managers will generally secure the attendance of 

 the children at school ; and by frequent visits to the school of those 

 interested in it, the parents will come to know that it is necessary the 

 children should attend. 



In order to procure regular information in regard to the school as 

 to attendance, admissions, and withdrawals the teacher should draw 

 out a monthly statement according to the form on next page, and send 

 it to the managers. 



