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SCIENCE SCHOOLS AND CLASSES. 
ON SCIENCE SCHOOLS : THEIR FORMATION AND WORKING. 
BY H. P. 1IEADEN, P.C.S., SCIENCE TEACHER. 
Since the issue by the Department of Science and Art of the Minute, 2nd 
July, 1859, by which aid is afforded to the industrial classes in procuring 
instruction in science, the number of certificated teachers of science, of 
their schools, and of their pupils has very largely increased. 
After the examination, November, 1859, the number of certificated 
teachers was 59 ; after that, in 1861, it was 158 ; and at the present time 
the number will exceed 200. Of science schools there were 4 in 1859 ; 9 in 
1860 ; about 38 in 1861 ; while the number at present is more than 80. 
Of pupils there were 438 under instruction in 1859 ; 500 in 1860 ; 1,130 
in 1861, and nearly 2,000 in 1862. 
At the annual examinations there were 600 pupils “ passed ” in May, 
1861, and about 1,350 in 1862. These numbers represent about three- 
fourths of the competing candidates. Much of the success attending the 
development of the scheme is doubtless owing to the following liberal 
arrangements : — («), that the office of science teacher is open to all suc- 
cessful aspirants ; (5), that the classes are under local management, and 
with little interference as respects details from the central authority ; and 
(c), that payments are made to teachers on results. 
Science Teachers. — Many teachers, certificated in science, are employed 
in National and other day schools, under the Education Department. 
Those with pupil teachers under them are precluded from taking advantage 
of the Science Minute, and have, therefore, done little in actual science 
teaching. The classes which have been established are mainly taught by 
persons entirely or partially engaged in instruction in mechanics’ insti- 
tutions, trade schools, navigation and mining schools, &c., or by such 
persons as analytical chemists and draughtsmen. They are thus suitable 
for the office, being “ apt to teach,” but not dependent on science only for 
their livelihood, and a fair share of success has been achieved by them. 
In reference to the abilities of those seeking the office of science teacher, it 
may be noted that the number who failed to gain certificates in 1860 
formed but one-fourth of the competitors ; in 1861 only one-eighth ; and 
last year (1862) the proportion was again about one-fourth. Most of the 
teachers hold certificates in several subjects, and in many cases they have 
undergone a subsequent examination, in order to improve the grade of 
their certificates ; thus “ showing,” as Captain Donnelly, the Science 
Inspector, says in his Report for 1861, “ the great advantage of having 
the system of payments in aid, though dependent on results, so adjusted 
as to allow the personal qualification of the teacher to count for something, 
thereby encouraging him to go on improving himself.” This remark will 
probably not apply quite so strongly under the Revised Science Code as 
