436 



REPORT — 1898. 



A separate course of Elementary Physics and Chemistry combined has 

 now been introduced, which is set out in the Appendix, and which is 

 admirably adapted for experimental investigation at the hands of the 

 students tiiemselves. 



The work under the Evening Continuation Schools Code continues to 

 progress, as will be seen from the following table : — 



It is again evident that the mathematical subjects are rapidly increas- 

 ing in favour, and that Agriculture is decreasing. It will be noticed with 

 satisfaction that the Science of Common Things is receiving greatly in- 

 creased attention, but it is a matter of regret that there is a decrease in 

 the time given to Elementary Physiography, and still more so in the case 

 of Elementary Physics and Chemistry. Agriculture would become a more 

 valuable and probably a more popular subject of study if a really good 

 practical course were devised. 



An important change has been taking place in Scotland. The code of 

 the Scotch Education Department now admits of the possibility of gain- 

 ing the full class grant although only two subjects are taken. As one of 

 these must be English, and in the higher standards provision must be 

 made for history or geography, or both, the teaching of science as a class 

 subject has been greatly reduced during the last two years. But a new 

 article in the Code for 1895 offers a special grant of a shilling on the 

 average attendance of boys who are satisfactorily taught 'elementary 

 science ' ; and this has far more than made up the deficiency. In fact the 

 aggregate total of children learning elementary science in the Scotcli 

 schools has risen from 34,151 in 1894-95 to 85,G71 and 133,855 respec- 

 tively in the two succeeding years. 



Your Committee have frequently referred to the anomaly that pupil 



