ON THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE IN ELEMENTABT SCHOOLS. 309 



The scientific specific subjects are admitted for the first time into the 

 curriculum of Evening Schools. 



The Department has considerably modified its scheme as to ' Elemen- 

 tary Science ' as a class-subject ; this ' may be framed so as to lead the 

 scholars in Standards I. to IV. up to one of the scientific specific sub- 

 jects ; ' but a scheme is also given -which ' may be taken as a guide 

 suggesting heads for a sufficient number of lessons in each standard.' 

 In the scheme plants are recognised as fully as animals, and the incon- 

 sistencies that occurred in the original scheme are avoided. 



The Department has not, however, acceded to other recommendations 

 of your Committee. There are still retained such restrictions as will 

 greatly hinder the introduction of this elementary science as a class 

 subject. Domestic Economy has lost its preference as a specific subject 

 in girls' schools. Euclid is still enforced as the handbook of geometry. 

 There is no provision for the examination of pupil- teachers by Her 

 Majesty's Inspector in any branch of natural science, excepting that 

 geography is made to include a good deal of physical knowledge. 



Tour Committee having been informed that Sir John Lubbock in- 

 tended to move in Parliament that it was desirable to allow children to 

 be presented for examination in any of the recognised class-subjects, 

 passed a resolution ofiering him ' their support in asking that the three 

 class-subjects of Schedule II. of the New Code, viz., English, Geography, 

 and Elementary Science, should be placed on the same footing.' Sir 

 John Lubbock, in his speech, referred to the views of the British Asso- 

 ciation on this point ; the debate which ensued was very favourable to 

 the claims of Elementary Science, and the Vice-President promised to 

 give the subject further consideration, and to ' submit it to the Council of 

 Her Majesty's Inspectors and the able men who assisted him in framing 

 the Code, and, if it was possible, he should be happy to yield to the 

 wishes which had been expressed.' ^ 



Many of the Elementary Schools of this country are now working 

 under the New Code, and before the month of May, 1883, they will all be 

 in that condition. In that month also, the Government inspection under 

 this Code will commence, and it will be possible to ascertain many 

 points of interest, such as (1) the quality of the object-lessons in the 

 Infant Schools ; (2) how far the proposed improvements in the teaching of 

 geography are carried out in practice ; (3) to what extent Elementary 

 Science is taken up as a class- subject, and whether the teachers generally 

 take it up as an introduction to the scientific specific subjects, or continue 

 it as a class-subject throughout the school ; and, if so, whether they have 

 adopted some fuller scheme than that suggested in the Second Schedule ; 

 (4) whether the discontinuance of the teaching of specific subjects in 

 Standard IV. is really a gain or a loss to science. 



Your Committee, if reappointed, propose to obtain information on 

 these points ; and to draw the attention of the Council to any matters 

 that may be necessary in connection with the working of the Code, or in 

 respect of any future alterations. 



' See Times, April 4, 1882. 



