NATURE 



477 



THE SECOND REPORT OF THE ROYAL COM- 

 MISSION ON SCIENTIFIC INSTRUCTION 

 AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE 



THE Commission has just issued its Second Report, 

 dealing with the scientific side of the instruction 

 given in Training Colleges and National Schools, and in 

 the Science Classes at present conducted by the Science 

 and Art Department. The report is so long that it is im- 

 possible to give it in exiaiso. It can, however, be easily 

 obtained, and it should be read by all interested in one of 

 the most important questions for England just now. Both 

 with reference to elementary education and the Science 

 Classes the present condition of things is fully stated, 

 and this condition is criticised where, in the opinion of 

 the Commissioners, criticism is necessary. The provi- 

 sions of the new code we may refer to as a case in point. 

 The Report concludes with the following recommenda- 

 tions : — 



SCIENTIFIC INSTRUCTION IN TRAINING COLLEGES AND 

 ELEMENTARY DAY SCHOOLS 



I. We recommend, as regards the elder children in the 

 elementary schools, that the teaching of such rudiments 

 of physical science as we have previously indicated should 

 receive more substantial encouragement than is given in 

 the regulations of the new code. 



II. We recommend, as regards the younger children 

 that Her Majesty's Inspectors should be directed to 

 satisfy themselves that such elementary lessons are given 

 as would prepare these children for the more advanced 

 instruction which will follow. 



III. We recommend that the mode of instruction of 

 pupil teachers, the conditions of admission to training 

 colleges, the duration of the course of study in them, and 

 the syllabus of subjects taught, should be so modified as 

 to provide for the instruction of students in the elements 

 of physical science. 



SCIENTIFIC INSTRUCTION IN SCIENCE CLASSES UNDER 

 THE SCIENCE AND ART DEPARTiMENT 



IV. We recommend that the instruction in Elementary 

 Science Classes under the Science and Art Department, 

 be so arranged as to work in complete harmony with the 

 general system of public elementary education, but, at the 

 same time, we consider it important that the Education 

 Department and the Department charged with Instruction 

 in Science shall continue to be co-ordinate. 



V. We recommend that a more efficient inspection of 

 Elementary Science Classes be organised, and that the 

 inspectors should advise the local committees and report 

 on : — 



{a) The apparatus of instruction. 



{!>) The state of the disciphne and methods. 



{c) The general efficiency of the arrangements, 



VOL. V. 



VI. We recommend that teachers who have already 

 qualified by passing the May examination in either of 

 the advanced classes shall continue to be recognised as 

 qualified to conduct Elementary Science Classes, with 

 the title of Elementary Science Teacher, and to earn the 

 grants awarded by the Department of Science and Art 

 on the results of the examination of their scholars ; but 

 that this qualification and title shall in future only 

 be attainable by passing in the first of the advanced 

 classes. 



VII. We recommend that should such arrangements as 

 are hereinafter set forth for conducting the practical in- 

 struction of teachers, and for providing for them practical 

 examination at several centres, be adopted, all elementary 

 science teachers shall, after such practical instruction, be 

 admissible to a further examination, which, in all suitable 

 subjects, shall be practical. We recommend that success 

 in this examination shall entitle a teacher to a certificate 

 of Second Grade Science Master. 



VIII. We recommend that, as an inducement to 

 teachers to prepare for and pass this further examination, 

 payment for results in the case of a Second Grade Science 

 Master be made at a somewhat higher rate than in that 

 of the Elementary Science Teacher. 



IX. We recommend that an examination, both by 

 papers and by practical tests, in any group of allied subjects 

 defined by the Department which the candidate may 

 select, shall be open to all those teachers who have passed 

 in the advanced classes, or who have been otherwise 

 admitted as Science Teachers ; and that success in 

 this examination shall entitle the candidate to receive 

 a certificate of First Grade Science Master in that 

 group. 



X. We recommend that a greater capitation grant be 

 payable in respect of the scholars of a First Grade Science 

 Master teaching in any group of allied subjects with or with- 

 out assistance, than in respect of the scholars of a Second 

 Grade Science Master, provided that the Inspector report 

 that the apparatus is sufficient, and that practical instruc- 

 tion has been given in each suitable subject. 



XI. We recommend that, with a view of maintaining 

 uniformity of standard in these examinations, they shall 

 be conducted at the several local centres by the staff of 

 Examiners acting under the Science and Art Department. 



XII. We recommend that the more systematic training 

 of the teachers of science referred to, be provided for — 



{a) By the adoption of special arrangements for this 

 purpose in the Science School which has been 

 referred to in our First Report ; and by the 

 recognition bythe Department of similar arrange- 

 ments for the instruction of this class of students 

 in any University or College, and in Science 

 Schools as hereinafter described. 



{li) By giving to the students of Training Colleges the 

 opportunity of remaining a third year, during 

 which scientific instruction may either form a 

 principal part of the curriculum of such Colleges, 

 or be accessible in some adjacent College or 

 School of Science approved as efficient for that 

 purpose. 



XIII. We recommend that the Science and Art Depart- 

 ment be at liberty to dispense with the preceding exami- 



c c 



