252 



EEPORT — 1889. 



South Kensington could be induced to accept would at once take effect 

 throiighout public elementary schools dealing with four and a half millions 

 of children, or between one-sixth and one-seventh of the total population. 



The following statement deals with the conditions under which 

 chemistry is taught in Voluntary and Board Schools, and with the extent 

 of such teaching, in England and Wales only. Notes are added with 

 reference to chemistry teaching under the Scotch Education Department, 

 and to other matters relating to tbe main question. 



The Education Code. — The subjects of instruction in the Education 

 Code are divided into three classes : — 



1. Elementary or CoMPaLSORT Subjects. — Reading, "Writing, and 



Arithmetic (and Needlework for girls). 



2. Class or Optional Subjects. — English, Geography, Elementary 



Science, History, Singing, or other graduated subject approved 

 by the Inspector. 



3. Specific Subjects. — Algebra, Euclid and Mensuration, Mechanics, 



Chemistry, Physics, Animal Physiology, Botany, Principles of 

 Agriculture, Latin, French, Domestic Economy, and other 

 subjects approved by the Inspector. 



All schools must take the elementary subjects in all the standards. 



Not more than two class subjects may be taken, one being English. 

 (In the case of girls the second class subject must be needlework unless 

 taken under the head of elementary subjects.) 



The specific subjects are only to be taken in the upper classes of a 

 school, viz., in Standards V., VI., and VII. 



There is in the Code as it stands the possibility of an excellent course 

 of instruction in elementary chemistry. It would really begin in the 

 infant school with enlightened object lessons and kindergarten work, then 

 in the elementary school proper it could be continued in the first four 

 standards as the class subject ' elementary science,' lastly in the V., VI., 

 and VII. Standards as the specific subject chemistry. 



The teaching in the infant schools is not circumscribed by detailed 

 schedules or individual examination, and is admittedly the most satisfac- 

 tory part of our educational system. 



The schedule for elementary science as a class subject is as follows: — 



III. Elementary Science 

 A progressive course 

 of simple lessons on 

 some of the follow- 

 ing topics, adapted 

 to cultivate habits 

 of exact observation, 

 statement, and rea- 

 soning 



Standard I. 



Standard II. 



Standard III. 



Common objects, such as familiar animals, plants, and 

 substances employed in ordinarj' life. 



