228 



REPOKT — 1895. 



The Teaching of Science in Elementary Schools. — Report of the Com- 

 mittee, consisting of Dr. J. H. Gladstone (Chairman), Professor 

 H. E. Armstrong (Secretary), Professor W. R. Dunstan, Mr. 

 George Gladstone, Sir John Lubbock, Sir Philip Magnus, Sir 

 H. E. RoscoE, and Professor S. P. Thompson. 



At the meeting of the Britisli Association for the Advancement of 

 Science, held at Sheffield in 1879, a Committee was appointed with 

 reference to the examination in the scientific specific subjects of the Code 

 in Elementary Schools. Mr. Mundellawas the first Chairman, but he was 

 unable to continue such, as he shortly afterwards became Vice-President 

 of the Committee of Council on Education. The Committee was re- 

 appointed next year, with the object of reporting on the manner in which 

 rudimentary science should be taught, as well as examined. In 1881 the 

 Committee was again reappointed to watch and report on the working of 

 the proposed Revised New Code, and of other legislation afiecting the 

 teaching of science in Elementary Schools. In November of that year 

 the Committee agreed upon certain recommendations, which were adopted 

 by the Council of the Association and transmitted to the Education 

 Department. The Government adopted some of these recommendations 

 in whole or in part. Since that date the Committee has been continued 

 annually, and has regularly reported on the progress of the teaching of 

 natural science in Elementary Schools. It has also used its influence in 

 respect of the great question of technical instruction, the formation of school 

 museums. Evening Continuation Schools, and other matters that have 

 come before the Legislature. When the Royal Commission on Elementary 

 Education was sitting, the Council of the British Association adopted a 

 Resolution of this Committee, authorising one of its members to give 

 evidence before the Commission, which was done accordingly. The 

 question of the method of teaching science to classes of young children 

 has also been considered recently, and formed part of the Report of the 

 Committee. As the object of this Committee more directly affects those 

 sections which deal with natural science, it was reappointed last year under 

 the auspices of Section B. 



With regard to the progress of scientific instruction in Elementary 

 Schools, the number of departments of schools in which the following 

 class subjects were examined by Her Majesty's Inspector during the eight 

 years 1882 to 1890, when English was obligatory, were as follows : — 



The numbers during the last four years, when managers and teachers 

 have had full liberty of choice, have been as follows : — 



