646 ON THE TEACHING OF GEOGRAPHY IN SCOTTISH SCHOOLS. 



subjects of the course. This contrasted with only twenty-two pupils whose course 

 included Physics. In addition there were about sixteen pupils preparing for the 

 Lower Grade Leaving Certificate (including Geography). 



' In my opinion the Section ought not to make extravagant claims for the subject. 

 I do not believe that if the question were submitted to an audience of Scottish teachers 

 you would receive the support you expect. The whole question is one of the conflict 

 of studies in a complex modem school organisation. Few would agree to the proposi- 

 tion that Geography should be regarded as the equivalent of, or as a substitute for. 

 Mathematics, or to the statement made by a previous speaker that Geography was 

 entitled to a larger allowance of school time than Physics. Geography is indeed a 

 derived science, and presupposes a fair knowledge of both Mathematics and Physics. 

 In my opinion it is not demanding too much to ask that a pupil should profess Lower 

 Grade Mathematics in his Leaving Certificate course. 



' The Section has not fully appreciated the recent change in the conditions of award 

 of the Certificate of Fitness, by virtue of which the Higher Leaving Certificate in 

 Science (including Geography) will now be regarded as a higher pass for the purpose 

 of admission to the universities, provided that it is accompanied by a pass in Lower 

 Mathematics. I believe that this will in many schools inevitably lead to such an 

 increase in the number of pupils studying the subject of Geography as to remove the 

 reproach which formerly existed. On the whole I consider the Departmental reply 

 practically unanswerable, and I would suggest that, whUe the section might hopefully 

 await developments in the immediate future, it should also endeavour to secure the 

 recognition by the Department of the subject of Geography as an essential part of 

 the curriculum for every secondary school pupil, having a status equivalent to that 

 of History, and with a definite minimum of school time allocated to it by those whose 

 course does not include the Higher Science Leaving Certificate (containing Geography).' 

 Dr. D. C. T. McKiE, Headmaster of Bonnington Road Central School, Edinburgh. — 

 ' While agreeing with some of the previous speakers as to the unsatisfactory position 

 of Geography in Scottish schools, I do not agree %vith those speakers who attribute 

 the blame wholly to the Scottish Education Department. Among the factors to be 

 considered are the following : — 



' 1. The position of the subject in our universities. 

 ' 2. The position of the subject in various professional examinations. 

 ' 3. The neglect and ignorance of the subject shown by many teachers. 

 ' These, added to the indifference to the claims of the subject shown by the Scottish 

 Education Department, have led to the generally unsatisfactory position in which 

 Geography is placed to-day. It is unnecessary to say here that the teaching of 

 Geography has developed enormously during the past twenty-five years, but it is 

 sometimes forgotten that only those who have studied the subject closely know how 

 great the development has been. Geography as taught to-day and Geography as 

 taught twenty-five years ago are entirely different subjects, and consequently those 

 who were tramed in the old way do not understand the claim made for modem 

 Geography, and from their point of view naturally protest against the absurdity of 

 placing Geography on a level with the standard subjects of the old curriculum. 



' While approving thoroughly of the claim put forward for a fuller recognition of 

 Geography, I am of opinion that it is bad policy to make an attack on a Government 

 Department on the ground of statistics. It seems to me that we are on much surer 

 ground when the claim is made for the recognition of Geography on the ground of its 

 educational and cultural value. 



' We should continue to press this claim ( 1 ) on the Scottish Education Department. 

 ' This is the more important at present when courses are being considered for the 

 new Advanced Division schools. It has been accepted that these courses are to be 

 non-academic, and although they are for two years only they are to be regarded as 

 equivalent to the first two years of any secondary course. Geography might well 

 claim to be given a more prominent place in these practical courses, but so far only 

 two periods per week are being allotted. 



' (2) On public bodies. Many of these are specially interested in Geography 

 through commerce and industry and they might be induced to give an important 

 place to the subject in their professional examinations. 



'(.S) On educationists. Teachers themselves are not wholly free from blame. I 

 do not refer only to those of the older school, but some of the younger teachers who 

 have been trained in the modern methods are attempting to do too much. In the 

 limited time allotted to the subject — usually two periods per week — care must be 



