ON GEOGRAPHICAL TEACHING IN SCOTLAND. 163 
of heavy and light rainfall; (c) inserting certain names—e.g., Stranraer, 
the Lizard, &c. In all, 42 separate facts were asked to be recorded 
for a maximum of 26 marks. Both sections were compulsory, and 
choice was given only in the case of part (c) of Section A. Section C 
consisted of eight questions of a wide range, from which the candidate 
was expected to select two. The marks for this section amounted to 
24, making up for the paper a total of 50. 
In the compulsory sections it would be of advantage that some 
further choice be afforded to the candidates, that greater opportunity 
be given for displaying knowledge of places associated with current 
events, and that a more reasonable proportion of the marks be allotted 
to that part of the paper which exercises the intelligence of the 
candidate. 
The written examination is supposed to be supplemented by an 
oral examination conducted by an inspector, but this is usually per- 
functory, and in some schools the inspector pays no attention whatever 
to Geography. Throughout the Intermediate course a compulsory 
minimum time-allowance of three and a quarter hours per week would 
be very beneficial, and inspectors of Geography might encourage 
attempts at a higher standard of teaching. 
III. In the Post-Intermediate stage Geography is no longer a 
compulsory subject, except in the case of junior students, who, 
however, are at no time examined as to their knowledge of Geography. 
In the Leaving Certificate examination Geography is separated from 
English, which is the only compulsory subject, is put on a level with 
other optional subjects, and is allotted 100 marks. It may form one 
of a ‘ group,’ but the curriculum must then be submitted to the Scotch 
Education Department for its specific approval. This is not required 
if a school commits itself to English, Mathematics, and French; or to 
English, Mathematics, and Latin. It is distinctly laid down that 
Geography is on the same level with, for example, languages, and that 
a candidate must spend upon it an adequate amount of time. The 
Committee finds that the average amount of time spent upon languages 
at this stage is seven hours per week. The following tabular statement 
will help to make matters clear :— 
1912. 1913. 
No. of candidates for Group Leaving Certificate .... 2,202 2,290 
QTIGCCSSLUIEA chee aaah orcad ate oer! hee 1,711 1,739 
No. of candidates with Geography as part of Group 195 146 
S eC Cabby: <. Hievmepidas eae inalt ndedesveai<s 155 92 
No. of candidates who sat Geography examination 319 212 
Siitese sel ost halt vk cadence tes ea bene tinae ts 227 116 
From these figures it will be seen that while in 1912 Geography 
candidates formed only about 9 per cent. of the total number of Leaving 
Certificate candidates, in 1913 even that small proportion was reduced 
to a little more than 6 per cent. The presentations for Geography as 
a separate paper also fell from 124 to 66; while the number of candi- 
dates with Geography as part of their group fell from 195 to 146. 
The Committee has received some information regarding 1912. It 
is aware of 70 candidates who were accepted by the Department, and 
who had had an hour and a half, or less, teaching per week. It is also 
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