462 REPORT— 1901. 



' (E.) Mathematics : Elementary Geometry, Algebra, Mensuration, Dy- 

 namics. (F.) Science : the Elementary Study, Theoretical or Practical, 

 of Physical or Natural Science, or any branch thereof. (G.) Applied 

 Mathematics and Science : (a) General : Practical Mathematics, including 

 technical arithmetic and the use of mathematical instruments and tables ; 

 mechanical drawing ; (h) Special : the application of Mathematics and 

 Science to specific industries, Machine Construction, Building Con- 

 struction, Naval Architecture, Electrical Industries, Mining, Navigation, 

 Agriculture, Horticulture, or any other industry the scientific principles 

 underlying which admit of systematic exposition. Where the nature of 

 the subject requires it, previous or concurrent study of (G. a), or of the 

 related branch of (E.) or of (F.) will be made a condition of taking any 

 subject under (G. 6). . . . By practical instruction is meant instruction 

 under heads (F.) and (G.), which proceeds mainly by means of actual 

 experimental work on the part of the pupils themselves in properly 

 equipped laboratories or workshops, supplemented by the necessary 

 explanations and demonstrations. Supplementary theoretical instruction 

 may be reckoned as part of the practical course, but to an extent not 

 exceeding one-half of the time occupied by the pupils in practical work.' 

 In Division III. the work is of a more advanced character, and ' may 

 either provide for graduated instruction in a single subject or for 

 systematic instruction in a group of subjects, arranged with a A'iew to 

 fitting students for the intelligent practice of some particular industry or 

 occupation.' A higher grant above that for the Commercial Courses is 

 allowed for the Industrial Courses, subject to the condition ' that 

 provision shall be made in properly equipped laboratories or workshops for 

 such amount of practical work on the part of the students (being work 

 illustrative of the principles taught, and not merely the practice of trade 

 processes) as the Department may deem requisite in the particular circum- 

 stances.' Division IV. is concerned with auxiliary classes which do not 

 come within the purview of this Committee. 



The new Programme of Instruction for the National Schools of Ire- 

 land, which was issued in September 1900, abolished payment by results : 

 the compulsory svibjects of instruction were considerably changed, and 

 the Commissioners of National Education indicated the methods of in- 

 struction they expected the teachers to adopt. It gave greater latitude 

 to the teachers, both in the organisation of their schools and in the 

 methods and amount of instruction given in them. 



The following quotation from the Revised Regulations indicate the 

 prominent position that has been accorded to Science Teaching in Irish 

 Schools : — 



' Elementary Science and Object Lessons are compulsory in schools in 

 which there are teachers holding certificates of competency to give in- 

 struction in them, and these branches must be introduced into all schools 

 as soon as possible.' 



In view of the fact that little or no insti-uction in Science has been 

 given for some years past in the schools, the Commissioners have appointed a 

 Head Organiser for Science Instruction, whose duties are («) to advise the 

 Commissioners on matters relating to the introduction and development 

 of Science Instruction, (b) to supervise the instruction of King's Scholars 

 in the Training Colleges, (c) to arrange for the instruction in methods of 

 Science Teaching of the teachers at present at work in the schools. 



The extract from the ' Notes and Observations of the Commissioners,' 

 which will be found in the Appendix, explains the purposes for which the 



