374 REPORT— 1897. 



The syllabus for the certificate examination varies from year to year, 

 but the same paper is set for first and second year students. (See 

 Appendix XI.) 



The inspectors' reports show that the quality of the work depends 

 largely on the quality of the teaching in the training colleges. 



In the certificate examinations the subject of physiography may also 

 be taken. The syllabus followed is that of the Science and Art Depart- 

 ment, which makes physiography equivalent to elementary physical 

 science, and therefore a most useful preparation for physical geography, 

 but by no means equivalent to it, and not to be confused with it. 



Scotland. — In Scotland the Code for pupil teachers is much the same 

 as that in England, but the syllabus of the Queen's Scholarship examina- 

 tion is more general. (See Appendices XII. and XIII.) 



The Scottish inspectors report that the ' attention given to climate and 

 productions is inadequate,' and that the text-book apparently is still 

 the only geography book of many candidates. 



The standard of this examination is much higher than that in England 

 and Wales, for the Royal Geographical Society continues to give prizes 

 and certificates to the best candidates in Scotland, but not in England 

 and Wales. 



Perhaps this explains why the attention given to geography in the 

 Scottish training colleges is so perfunctory, and why a smaller percentage 

 of candidates take geography in their certificate examinations in Scotland 

 than in England, for the rule excusing the better geographical students 

 from a further study of geography is in force in both countries. 



The Committee have been informed that the pupils in most Scottish 

 Training Colleges, whether they study geography necessarily or voluntarily, 

 do so by themselves. Their work, howevei', is prescribed by a master, 

 who sets an examination paper at intervals, and afterwards criticises the 

 work done by the students in these examinations. 



In the Scottish Code the subject is called ' Geography and Physio- 

 graphy,' and physiography is regularly taught in the training colleges. 

 This is obviously inadequate geographical training. The syllabus is given 

 in Appendix XIV. 



Ireland. — In Ireland monitors have to study additional geography to 

 that of the class in which they are enrolled (Appendix XV.). The entrance 

 examination to the Training Colleges contains little or no physical geo- 

 graphy. Geography must be studied during the first year at the Training 

 College, but is not a necessary subject of the second year's jcourse for 

 those who make 60 per cent, in the examination in geography at the end 

 of the first year (Appendix XVI.). 



In Ireland, even the Inspectors and their assistants must pass an 

 examination in geography (Appendices XVII. and XVIII.). 



Other Cozmtries. — In foreign lands teachers are usually more syste- 

 matically trained in geography, and programmes of their course of study 

 are given in Appendices XIX. to XXI. 



2. SECONDARY EDUCATION. 



A. SECONDARY SCHOOLS.^ 



England. — In England we do not possess the guides to the position of 



geography in secondary schools which could be followed in the case of 



primary schools. Secondary education is still in an unorganised condition, 



' The Public Schools are included in the term Secondary Schools. • 



