362 REPORT— 1894. 



passes in any science subject at the Science and Art Department examina- 

 tion, or for the holding of University Extension certificates in science. 



For several years past the Insti-uctions to Inspectors have contained a 

 clause stating that, among the things provided by a good school, may be 

 ' an orderly collection of simple objects, geological and botanical specimens, 

 examples of industrial processes or other apparatus, chiefly designed to 

 illustrate the school lessons, and formed in part by the co-operation of the 

 scholars themselves.' This year the Department have taken the further 

 .step of stipulating that ' a classified list of the objects and other articles of 

 interest in the school museum should also be kept.' This will render the 

 school museums more valuable instruments of education, and prevent 

 them from degenei'ating into a mei'e miscellaneous assemblage of objects. 



In regard to evening continuation schools, there is no alteration in the 

 Code that calls for remark. But in the Revised Instructions to Her 

 Majesty's Inspectors my Lords say : ' The subjects taught in the day school 

 should be such as to form a solid foundation on which the higher studies of 

 the evening may be built. The knowledge of the scientific principles which 

 underlie the technique of the industries of the neighbourhood ... is 

 among the most important of such subjects. It might help to secure the 

 continuity of school life if the day scholars were allowed occasionally to 

 attend some of the more attractive evening lessons, such as travels illus- 

 trated by the optic lantern, or a science lecture illustrated by experiments.' 

 Optic lanterns are now of so excellent a character that they can be used 

 for illustrating lessons in the daytime without darkening the room. The 

 London School Board has recently purchased a dozen with that view. 



For the last four years there has been a clause in the Code stating 

 that, ' in making up the minimum time constituting an attendance, there 

 may be reckoned time occupied by instruction in science (amongst others), 

 whether or not it is given in the school premises or by the ordinary 

 teachers of the school, provided that special and appropriate provision, 

 approved by the Inspector, is made for such instruction, and the times for 

 giving it are entered in the approved time-table.' The London School 

 Board have made several attempts to get leave from the Education 

 Department to allow of occasional visits to such places as Kew Gardens, 

 South Kensington Museum, &c., to be so counted. But although 'the 

 Science and Art Department recognise attendance at such places, pro- 

 vided that the attendance is for not less than for one hour, that the visit 

 is made for the purpose of the scholars receiving instruction, and that the 

 scholars are instructed during the visit by the teacher of the class,' the 

 Education Department still require the literal fulfilment of the above- 

 mentioned clause, which is framed to meet the conditions of centre 

 teaching, and not of visits to other institutions of an educational character. 

 A recent deputation from the Manchester Art Museum on the subject of 

 bringing picture galleries, public museums, &c., into requisition in teaching 

 art and science was, however, very favourably received by Mr. Acland, 

 and he promised increased facilities for this purpose in next year's Code. 

 Your Committee trust, therefore, that, not only will the London School 

 Board be allowed to make the use they propose of such institutions, but that 

 the provision may be made general, so as to apply to all the schools in the 

 provinces wherever the means exist of obtaining such practical instruction. 



On January 6 last the Education Department issued a valuable 

 circular (No. 332) on the subject of instruction in the lower standards. 

 The general scope of the circular is to promote in the schools for older 



