E.—l2.

GREAT BRITAIN.

Subjects of Study, Technical Instruction, and " Over-Pressure." To aid judgment on the subject of " over-pressure/' some references arc given below. 1 It will be noticed that the main causes arc alleged to be— (a) want of sufficient piominencc to physical training ; (/;) " payment by results " system; (c) want of proper method in teaching ; (d) overtime and home lessons ;* (e) and need of proper nourishment, and insanitary neglect. The Secretary, in respect of the existence of "over-pressure," said: "There may be rare exceptions, but as a rule no; unless it be in the case of female teachers, who have to teach and learn simultaneously:" and Prof. Huxley is of opinion " that as a rule the present curriculum in England is not too severe." But Mr. M. Arnold considers that there is " ovcr-prcssurc," caused principally by too little attention to physical training in schools, that such instruction should be far more attended to than at present; and that if physical training were adequately attended to it would strengthen and render more healthy the body, which would thereby be enabled to stand a far more severe mental strain than it otherwise could. 3 But at the same time he thought paying teachers by so-called results tends to " over-pressure," &c. I may add that on arrival in England the number of young persons wearing glasses particularly impressed me; and I was informed by oculists and opticians that the number had alarmingly increased since the operation of the Education Act of 1870. * INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION. 0 Inspectors are appointed by Her Majesty, on the recommendation of the department ; and arc independent of Boards, or any local authority. 0 It is by their agency the department is enabled to wield the power which controls the whole machinery. 7 The duty of Inspectors is defined to be "to visit schools, to examine whether the conditions of annual grants have been fulfilled, and to report the result to the department." 8 Indeed, before even any fixed grant is made by the department 9 it has to be satisfied (and its decision is final) that the required preliminary conditions have been fulfilled; and further grants arc

"Over-pressure."

Opinions.

Appointment of Inspectors.

Duties of inspectors.

On the necessity of technical education in India, note tli3 Viceroy's remarks, " The Colonies and India," 16 April, 18SC. Distinction between knowledge and science pointed out in " Journal of Ed.," July, 188G, p. 285. " The distinction consists in the orderliness of the knowledge." 1 (a) Dr. (now Sir) C. Brown's rep., dated 30 April, 1884; and Times letters, 18 and 26 Sept., 6, 13, 30 Oct., 6 and 29 Nov., and 1 Dec., 1884. (b) Mr. Fitch's mem. and Times letter, 20 Sept. and 18 Oct., 1884 (leader). (c) Mr. Mundella's remarks, Times, 26 Mar., 7 April, 7 Nov., 1884; 14 April, 1885. (d) Inspector's reps., G.R., 1883-84, pp. 257, 209, 293, 304, 336, 349, 380, 388, 414, and 464. (e) Instructions to Insp., ISS4, Art. 57. (/) Hesols. of teachers, St. James's Gazette, 5 Feb., 1884; Morning Post, 6 Mar., 1884; P. M. Gazette, 16 Oct., 3884; Times, 10 and 18 Nov., 1 Deo., 1884 ; 9 and 19 Jan., 1885. (g) Medical test.— Daily News, 31 Jan., 1884 (and seo 13 Feb. and 4 Aug., 1884); Lloyd's Weekly, 2 Mar., 1884; Morning Post, 10 Mar., 1884; P. M. Gazette, 27 Mar., 18S4 (and see 27 Sept., 1884, and 5 Feb., 1885); Times, 8 Aug., 17 Sept., 21 Oct., and 29 Nov., 1884 (and see 9 Nov., 1883, London Sc. Board, 14 Oct., and 11 Nov., 1884). (h) "N.C.," Nov., 1884, and July, 1880. Sec also Dr. riiilbrirk, pp. 29 and 30, especially as regards female pupils. (i) "N.C.," July, 1880, Ait. by tho Rev. F. Wills on " Recreative Evening Schools." (;') Sir Spencer Wells's address to Sanitary Congress, 1886. (7c) R.E.C., Inspector Stewart, 3581 and scq. 8 " Now as to the child, at least, I think only a small part of his day ought to be given toldssons." —Prof. Seeley, "N.C.," Dee., 1885, "Insular Ignorance," p. 863. See also pp. 871 and 872. See also R.E.C., Inspector Sharp, 0580 and scq. •Note also R.E.C., 5703; and G.R., ISB3-84, 388, and 1832-83, p. 441; and G.R. Scot., 1885-80, p. xix., re Military as well as Ordinary Drill. The Swedish gymnasium movement should not be overlooked.

4 See Dr. (now Sir) 0. Brown's rep., pp. 31-33, 46, and 50, and other authorities already quoted. See " Journal of Ed.," July, 1880, p. 296. For " Some results of Over-pressure in Scandinavia," see P. M. Budget, 31 Dec, 1885, p. 2\. The Si. James's Gazette recently (1886) said that tho increasing number of spectacled children leads to tho suggestion that the School Board is at fault. 5 For school statistics, see G.R., 1885-80, p. 111, and seq., 1883-84, pp. xiv. and xviii., 204-5, 213, 216-20, -Mi, 228, 240, and index, and compare with N.Z. 1886 rep., p. 1, and seq., 1885-80, Scot., p. vii., and scq., and also re Inspector of Higher Schools, p. xxx. Note superior results in England in Board schools, p. xv., and John Bull, 5 April, 1884. For definition of Inspector, seo Code Art. 5, and E. Act, 1870, s. 3. Note in Continental countries they take no part in examinations for a grant. Sir. Arnold, R.E.C., 5090. P'or purpose of comparison, refer generally to N.Z. regs. of 16 Juno, 1885, and of 17 June, 1884. Under heading of " The Terror of School Exams.," the P.M. Budget of 22 April, 18S6, records two instances of young ladies running away from home after failing to pass; and says those "are not the first cases of tho kind in the district." And see " Germany," infra. See " Bevis. Instruc. to Inspectors," 1886, Art. 1, and seq. ; and for comments thereon, "Journal of Ed.," Sep., 1886, p. 354. On main value of examination, see " Journal of Ed.," 1 July, 1880, p. 271. " See E. Act., 1870, ss. 3 and 35, and Code Art. 18, and compare with N.Z. 1877 Act, s. 30 (notwithstanding s. 7). In Ireland " all Inspectors are now appointed by competitive examinations." For mode of selection in England, seo Mr. Cumin's evidence, R.E.C., 1870, and seq.; Inspector Sharpe, 4368; Inspector Arnold, 5087, 5574, 5575 and seq. 1 For particulars ie salaries, see Times, 22 Nov., ISS4, Mr. Mundella'a parliamentary reply. 8 Code, Art. 18, and compare with Standards, &c, N.Z. regs., 16 June, 1885. See also E. Act, 1870, s. 9. See also on tho duty of an Inspector, p. 22, n. 18; and Mr. Cumin, 8.E.C., 726 and seq. 0 Code, Arts. 87 and 88-115, and compare with Payment of Grants, &c, Gazette 89 and 121, 1878.

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