150 



REPORT— 1881. 



operation since 1877, and the results for the year 1880-81 are given in the 

 following table : — 



Domestic economy is also taught to the girls in a similar manner. 

 Tn Birmingham 1200 scholars are receiving scientific instruction in the 

 schools of the Board, and it i.s stated that the teachers unifonnly find 

 that ' it added interest to the work of the school, that the children were 

 eager to be present, and that the lessons were enjoyed, and were in fact 

 giving new life to the schools.' The Board have found the results so 

 satisfactory that they are now furnishing their newest school with a labora- 

 tory and lecture- room. 



IV. As to science-teaching which does not fall under the provisions of 

 the New Code it is not probable that any large amount is attempted. In 

 Manchester, however, the Board gives instruction to 404 children, all of 

 whom have passed Standard VI., the highest ordinary standard, in the 

 following subjects : — 



Physiology. 



Acoustics, Light and heat, 



Magnetism and electricity. 



Chemistry . 



,, practical. 

 Botany. 

 This teaching is illustrated by means of good apparatus, &c., and 

 has had a very beneficial effect upon the science and art classes of the 

 town. 



When it is considered that the provisions of the Code naturally form, 

 in almost all cases, the extreme limit of what will be attempted in the 

 schools, it is important that they should be placed as high as possible. 

 This will be a great advantage to the stronger schools, and no disadvantage 

 to the weaker ones, as the higher branches of science-teaching will of 

 course be optional. 



Your Committee have, therefore, arrived at the following conclu- 

 sions :' — 



I. As to object lessons. That it is very desirable that Her Majesty's 

 Inspectors should take object lessons into account in estimating the 

 teaching given in an infant school ; and that they should examine the 

 classes in the graded schools wherever object lessons are given. 



II. As to class subjects. That the teaching of such subjects as natural 

 history, phvsical geography, natural philosophy, &c., should not neces- 

 sarily be 'through reading lessons,' as oral lessons 'illustrated by maps, 

 diagrams, specimens, &c.' are undoubtedly better when given by a 

 teacher duly qualified to handle these subjects. They are of opinion, 

 also, that it will be desirable to allow a larger number of class subjects 

 to be taken up in any particular school, and to give in such case a pro- 

 portionately increased grant. 



