362 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



countries ' in one ; ' General ideas of relation of self to universe,' taught 

 incidentally in History and Geography, in another, of which the head 

 master wrote, ' but details too abstract for rural children of 1 1 to 14 years 

 of age ' ; ' Taken, but on rather different lines. Comparative Religion is 

 dealt with only in Imperial History and Geography. No great emphasis 

 is given to direct attention to the choice of a metier ' in a third. In one 

 girls' school Comparative Religion is taught, the oldest group taking a 

 short course of study in the main teaching of Buddha and Mohammed at 

 the end of the fourth year. 



One head master thought that ' Incidental mention of other religions and 

 general study of types of civilised life ' might be taken, but regarded the 

 remainder as too abstract for elementary school children. A head mistress, 

 too, commented on this point, stating that she ' does not consider children of 

 this age-group are capable of comprehending the ideas contained in the 

 suggestions.' 



General Observations. 



An analysis of the repUes reveals a number of interesting facts, the most 

 outstanding being the degree of freedom enjoyed by teachers in elementary 

 schools in arranging the curriculum of the schools for which they have 

 responsibiUty. As a consequence of this there is a great variety of 

 curricula in English schools catering for children of the same age, a 

 variety which characterises both the subjects taken and the sections of the 

 subjects included. Another noteworthy fact which emerges is that there 

 is a marked tendency to give greater attention to practical subjects, and the 

 time available for giving definite information is therefore more limited 

 than it was in the early days of this century. 



More germane to the present inquiry is an opinion which in one form or 

 another finds frequent expression. It is, that the curriculum outlined by 

 Mr. Wells, though it may be desirable, is beyond the capacity of the pupils 

 of this age. The opinion is expressed somewhat hesitatingly by these 

 correspondents in elementary schools ; indeed, they more often indicate 

 it by the omission of any reference to sections ; but it is none the less 

 obvious. 



It may be that the suggested curriculum is too ambitious and com- 

 prehensive ; that the subjects are beyond the capacity of the pupils. But 

 since many of the sections are taken in the schools — though not all of them 

 in any one school — only actual experiment can afford conclusive evidence 

 of how much could be taught, if adequate conditions were obtained and 

 schools were appropriately staffed. Meanwhile the inquiry itself will 

 without doubt have a stimulating effect. 



Replies from Preparatory Schools and Departments to Questions 



ON Grade C. 



Since preparatory schools and preparatory departments of public schools 

 cater for children of the same age-group as those found in the senior schools 

 in the elementary education system, the same questionnaire was submitted 

 to six schools of this type. Only three replies were received. Of these 

 one was in the following terms : 



' I do not think it is possible to give a formal detailed reply to the 

 questionnaire on Mr. Wells's views of History. It is useless to con- 

 sider Section C, ages 11-14, except on the assumption that the ground 



