608 REPORT—1905. 
forty High Schools have been established, with a special curriculum arranged for 
them, leading up to the matriculation certificate of the University. The new 
Education Act, while retaining committees for individual schools, will provide 
School Boards for municipalities and large areas, with rating powers and with 
control over the committees in their area. One-third of each Board is nominated 
by Government. 
A few institutions preparing for the University certificates and degrees were 
subsidised under the Higher Education Act of 1874, but as the number of students 
increased, the idea arose of uniting the work of these separate colleges into a 
Teaching University. While vested interests and keenness of rivalry have hitherto 
prevented such unification, the development of these separate colleges has pro- 
ceeded rapidly, and it seems likely that the Teaching University of the future will 
consist of certain constituent colleges. That these shall not be too many, and that 
their relation to the University shall be a satisfactory one, are the difficulties 
involved in this question. The Rhodes Scholarships, while benefiting the indi- 
vidual holders, will also further Higher Education if made post-graduation 
scholarships ; in the original scheme they might have tended to do actual injury to 
Higher Education in the Colony. 
A. School of Mines was instituted at the South African College in 1896, 
and the students now complete their course at the Johannesburg Technical 
Institute. 
While the progress of education has thus proceeded satisfactorily along various 
lines, it cannot be said that the position of the teacher has improved in a corre- 
sponding degree. It is true that the increased influence of the body of teachers is 
the most remarkable fact in modern education, and the Union of Cape Teachers in 
the South African Teachers’ Conference, with its branches all over the country, 
has enabled them to speak with a strong voice on important questions, and to 
combine for purposes of mutual defence ; but it is matter for regret that so great 
a proportion of time and interest has been devoted in their meetings to questions 
of salary, pension allowances, and other factors making for the comfort of their 
position. It should not be necessary for teachers to have to assert their rights and 
to impress their claims on the rest of the community. The new Education Act 
arranges for greater security of tenure and for improvement of salaries, but satis- 
factory provision has yet to be made for pension on retirement. ‘'I'he teacher 
should be removed beyond fear of want and anxiety about financial concerns. The 
community is not in a healthy condition in which education is not held in honour,’ 
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. The Teaching of Science. By Professor H. EK. Anmstrone, /.R.S. 
2. The Development of Technical Education in a New Country. 
By G, FLEtcuerr. 
3. The World of Words and its Exploration. By Dr. J. A. H. Murray. 
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. Rural Education appropriate to Colonial Life and Agriculture in 
South Africa. By A. D. Hat, M.A. 
