I20 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 



4. That every teacher is specially trained for the duties of his pro- 

 fession This is simply the natural outcome of the three principles 



already mentioned, for if the money expended in providing accom- 

 modation and furnishing the means necessary for the proper educa- 

 tion of the children of the country be wisely spent, it follows that 

 the education received should be of the most suitable kind, and 

 none but trained teachers can do this work satisfactorily and with 

 the best results. 



5. That the geiieral oversight of the Schools is placed in the hands 

 of thoroughly trained and experienced teachers. Like the preceding 

 principle, this follows as a natural sequence, for the work done, even 

 by trained teachers, requires thorough and systematic revision to en- 

 sure the vitality and efficiency of the schools, and to give a guaran- 

 tee to the public that the work^ both in regard to quantity and 

 quality, shall be properly done. 



6. That the examination of teachers, the courses of study pursued, 

 and the general directioti of certain portions of the educational ma- 

 chinery is placed in the hands of teacliers of distinguished merit and 

 special fitness for the ivork. This principle raises our profession to a 

 higher level, and causes it to command the respect of the people at 

 large, for none are so capable of judging of the fitness of men for 

 certain positions, and the discharge of the duties connected there- 

 with, as those who are intimately acquainted with the work. There- 

 fore, it must be apparent that the principle is a sound one, and an 

 •additional guarantee that the members of the teaching profession are 

 properly prepared for their work. 



y. That the entire system is placed under the guidance and man- 

 agement of a Mitiister of Education, who by virtue of his office holds 

 a seat in the Government, and therefore under our Constitution must 

 represent a constituency in this Province This is the last principle I 

 shall name, and it forms a fitting completion to the series already 

 enunciated. To every well-wisher of our system it must be appar- 

 ent that the head of the Education Department should have a seat 

 in the Government; because (i) the educational interests of the 

 country are equal, if not greater, in importance than those of any 

 other department ; (2) the schools should be managed in the inter- 

 ests of the people, and therefore their representatives should have 

 among them some person competent to give full information con- 



