280 



REPORT 1886. 



It is evident that while the number of scholars in the higher 

 standards has considerably increased, the number examined in specific 

 (scientific) subjects has considerably decreased ; and this decrease has 

 occurred in every subject except mechanics. Algebra and chemistry 

 show rather larger numbers than last year, though not in proportion to 

 the increase of scholars. 



The comparative decrease in the attention paid to these scientific 

 sabjects will be evident from the percentages of children examined : — 



In 1882-3 

 In 1883-4 

 In 1884-5 



29-0 per cent. 



260 



22-6 



but it must be borne in mind that in many schools the children take two 

 subjects, in which case they count accordingly. 



Increased though still very inadequate attention seems to be paid in 

 the training colleges to the preparation of the students in the science 

 subjects ; the number of individual students who have qualified for teach- 

 ing one or more sciences has risen from 2,205 in 1884 to 2,407 in 1885, 

 and it is satisfactory to note that the increase has been mainly in 

 passes in the first class. The number of papers worked in the several 

 subjects in the two years under review has been as follows : — 



Number of Papers worked 



Pure Mathematics 

 Theoretical Mechanics 

 Sound, Light, and Heat . 

 Magnetism and Electricity 

 Inorganic Chemistry 



„ „ practical 



Animal Physiology . 



Botany 



Physiography .... 

 Principles of Agriculture . 



1884 



1885 



The increase has been mainly in sound, light, and heat, and the 

 principles of agriculture ; the falling-oflf has been chiefly in animal 

 physiology, and magnetism and electricity. 



The Scotch Code differs from the Englisli in regard to the teaching 

 of science in several points, but the annual return does not exhibit a 

 much more hopeful state of affairs. 



The importance of technical instruction is making rapid progress in 

 popular estimation, but this subject has not got a real footing as yet in 

 elementary schools, owing to the inaction of the Government pending a 

 definite expression of opinion by the House of Commons. In the mean- 

 time the Nottingham School Board has started classes for instruction in 

 the use of tools in the workshops of University College, and 106 boys 

 received such lessons during the last quarter ; but on applying to the 

 Education Department the Board learnt that, as the cole did not 

 recognise such experimental instruction, the two hours per week 

 devoted to it could not be recognised as an attendance. They there- 

 fore drew up a memorial to the following effect : — 



' That your memorialists are of opinion it is very desirable that pro- 



