266 REPORT—1890. 
The Committee note with satisfaction that in these examinations, most 
of which are held to test proficiency in general education, Chemistry 
is generally included in addition to one or more branches of Experi- 
mental Physics, and that in many cases the examination is in part a 
practical one. An important exception to this statement is found in the 
case of the University of Durham, which, although it grants a certificate 
of proficiency in General Education, does not include among the subjects 
of this examination either Chemistry or any branch of Experimental 
Science. Science is represented only by Elementary Mechanics, and even 
this is an optional and not a compulsory subject. 
As regards the status occupied by Chemistry and Experimental Physics 
in public examinations, the position of these subjects is still frequently lower 
than that of the other principal subjects of examination, and much yet re- 
mains to be done to secure the adequate recognition of the educational value 
of natural science. Attention may here be drawn to the position assigned 
to physical science by the ‘Intermediate Education Board for Ireland,’ 
upon whom devolves the examination of most of the Irish public schools. 
According to the regulations at present enforced by this board, Natural 
Philosophy and Chemistry appear as optional subjects, each having a 
relative value represented by 500 marks, the value of Greek and Latin 
being assessed at 1,200 marks each. It is to be hoped that the Commis- 
sioners may before long see their way to introduce elementary physical 
science aS a compulsory subject of these examinations, and to increase 
the marks assigned to it beyond the present number of 500, which is 
less than one-half of that awarded to Greek or Latin (1,200). 
Another very anomalous case is that of one of the Civil Service Ex- 
aminations, viz., the Examination for Engineer Students in H.M. Dock- 
yards. In this examination ‘ very elementary Physics and Chemistry’ are 
included as a single subject, to which is allotted 100 marks ont of a total 
nurober of 1,950! In the profession for which this is an entrance exami- 
nation, applicable to boys who are about to leave a public school, not only 
is the possession of a scientific habit of mind of the highest moment, but 
a considerable knowledge of Physics and Chemistry is indispensable. 
The Committee are strongly of opinion that some attempt should be 
made to remedy a conspicuous deficiency in nearly all existing examina- 
tional regulations. It is virtually impossible to ascertain in the course of 
a single short examination, especially when the number of candidates is 
large, whether sufficient time has been devoted to the study of the elements 
of physical science to make it of permanent advantage to the student ; 
neither is it possible to determine whether the character of the instruction 
has been in every respect satisfactory. Periodical inspection of the teach- 
ing by properly qualified inspectors, such as is now practised to some 
extent by more than one Government department, would seem to consti- 
tute the best method of dealing with this defect, the reports of the inspec- 
tors as well as the students’ own record of work testified to by the teacher, 
being taken into account in awarding prizes, certificates, and grants, in 
addition to the results of an examination. 
With respect to the schedules and examination papers, typical specimens 
of which are here printed, it will be seen that for the most part they do not 
aim at an educational training of the kind suggested in the Committee’s 
last report. Although nearly all the examinations included are intended 
to maintain a high standard in general education, yet, as a rule, the 
schedule of work proposed and the questions set in the papers are more 
