THE POSITION OF GEOGBAPHY IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. 377 



The position of the Scottish Education Department has been clearly 

 defined as follows : — 



' With regard to history and geography, my Lords have little to add to 

 the remarks which they have made in previous years. These subjects 

 enter largely into the curriculum of many schools ; they are required by 

 many of the bodies by whom the leaving certificate is recognised, and my 

 Lords are unwilling to do anything which would discourage the con- 

 tinuance of such instruction. They endeavour to give a wide option inr 

 the questions set, and to afford opportunity to all who have not entirely 

 neglected the subjects to show a knowledge of them in some branch or 

 other. More than this they have not demanded, and do not propose to 

 demand, as a necessary condition of a pass, but more extensive knowledge 

 will receive ample recognition.' ^ 



Candidates must answer one question, and a second question may be- 

 attempted, if desii-ed, in the lower grade examination, while two ques- 

 tions must be answered, and three may be attempted, in the higher grade 

 examination. Full marks can be obtained for honours grade certificates, 

 without any question in geography being answered. (Appendix XXVII.) 



' The geography is in general faulty, and there is I'arely evidence that 

 this subject is taught in any methodical way, or presented to the pupils, 

 in such a manner as to make a vivid impression upon them.' ^ 



In the preliminary examinations for the Scottish Universities two- 

 questions in geography have to be answered in one of the papers in 

 English for Arts and Science students, but only one question is compulsory 

 for medical students. (Appendix XXVI.) 



In the Edinburgh University Local Examinations elementary history 

 and geography form one compulsory subject in the preliminary, geography 

 and physical geography two optional subjects in the junior, geography an 

 optional subject in the senior, and commercial history and geography a- 

 compulsory subject in the commercial certificate examinations. 



Ireland. — Geography forms part of the paper set in the examinations 

 of Irish intermediate education. The reports of the examiners in recent 

 years indicate that some knowledge of topography is taught, especially of 

 the British Isles, but questions on physical geography are rarely well 

 answered. (See Appendix XXVIII.) 



Geography is also a part of the entrance and some Scholarship exami- 

 nations of Trinity College, Dublin (Appendix XXIX.) ; and one question 

 is usually set in this subject in the entrance examinations of the Royal 

 University (Appendix XXX.). 



Other Couritries. — In Dr. Keltic's report detailed accounts are given 

 of the position of geography in the secondary education system of foreign 

 countries. Since then some of the programmes have been modified, some- 

 for the better, others for the worse. 



In France geography is taught in every class of the Lycdes, and the 

 new programmes are given in Appendix XXXII. Professor Levasseur's 

 paper, read to the Sixth International Geographical Congress, gives a 

 useful comparison of old and new programmes. 



In Prussia geographers complain of a retrograde movement in the last 



' Report for 1895, 6y Henry Ceaik, Esq., C.B., on the 'Inspection of Higher 

 Schools and the Examinations for Leaving Certificates,' p. 192. 

 2 lb. p. 182. 



