E.—l2.

REPORT UPON STATE EDUCATION.

FEATURES COMMON TO ALL CANTONS. Each canton is divided into communes, and the communes mainly support the schools; and it is only the normal schools which are the peculiar care of the cantons. 1 All public schools, therefore, except the Polytechnic School, and normal schools, are cither communal or municipal. The positions which the cantons assume are by no means, in all cases, the same : inasmuch as (a) The educational principles upon which they act, in many cases, differ; and (ti) Their laws and modes of administration. Indeed, sometimes even a town or village assumes an independent attitude towards its cantonal government in respect of its educational institutions, which arises mainly from historical reasons. 2 But there are certain general features which are recognized by all the cantons. 3 (1.) Primary schools* are the basis of education for all inhabitants, and such schools, with the supplementary schools (in the case of children who do not attend a secondary school), supply the only education which those children (after attending an infant school, if they do so attend) receive who cannot afford to remain at school, other than at a primary one during the compulsory period. Infant schools 3 do not necessarily exist in all the cantons, and attendance at them is only voluntary. Children, however, largely frequent them, from the age of three up to that of six; but, although encouraged by the cantonal governments, these schools do not seem to be a speciality so much as in other countries. 6 I was informed that the Bernese schools are fairly representative ; but I neither saw nor heard anything respecting them which impressed me as calling for special notice. The hours for teaching arc from Bto 11 a.m., and 12 to 4 p.m.; and the time is mainly occupied by Kindergarten exercises. Education at these schools is not gratuitous, except for the poor. (2.) In order to fix more solidly primary education, schools for repetition, or further instruction, exist—viz., evening, or continuation schools (Ergaenzungsschulen). 7 These, " which arc numerous and important, supplement the teaching of the primary school, and even carry intelligent pupils a few steps onward, and instruct them in the best methods of applying the knowledge gained during childhood to the practical duties of life; " and thereby prepare for certain industrial pursuits, or afford fit preparation (if education is to be pursued) for a technical school. Attendance is compulsory for a term, on leaving the primary school, for those who do not then attend a secondary one. These schools, however, are entirely distinct from certain apprenticeship-schools which exist, but which are exclusively devoted to technical instruction in certain industries, such as watchmaking, &c. 8 (3.) Above the primary schools stands the secondary 9 (higher elementary), which prepare for the high schools; and attendance at these is optional. Instruction at most of them is (virtually) gratuitous, and everywhere for those scholars who arc unable to pay. (4.) The next higher degree of schools consists of high schools 10 for the learned and technical professions, where tuition is often free. 11 They arc called colleges, and consist of " Industrieschulen" and " Gymnasien." The " Industrieschulcn," or trade schools, arc

Subdivisional cantonal arrangements.

Infant and primary schools.

Supplementary schools.

Secondary schools.

Colleges.

1 See (a) Stat. for details, pp. 240-257 ; and (6) 8.L., rep., p. 129. J For details see Stat., espec. pp, 7 and 12-28. 3 See also Stat., p. 22. * See also Stat., pp. 22-28. » See Stat., pp. 103, 108, 190, and 229. 6 See also Stat., p. 103. ' See also— (a) Stat., pp. 22-28; (6) 8.C., vol. 1, pp. 19, 20, and 39 ; (c) B. rep.i pp. 131 and 105; and (d) Mr. SI. Arnold's evidence before 8.E.C., 5184 ; and for effect of these schools, GOBG. Notice also Agricultural Schools, p. 131. For their origin in Switzerland see Transactions of Nat. Soc. Sc. Assoc, Dublin, 1881, p. 3C2. For instance of a recent programme see M. Grob's work, 1886 (p. 144), referred to infra, p. 48. 6 See also— (a) R.C., vol. 1, p. 50 ;

(6) 8.L., rep., pp. 104, 105, and 114-117. 0 Seefa) Stat., pp. 22-28. (b) R.C., vol. 1, pp. 19 and 20. (c) 1.E.C., vol. 13, p. 189. id) B.L. rep., pp. 105 and 512. (e) Loi 26 juin, 1856, and 2 septembre, 1867: Berne. (/) Plan d'etudes pour les ecoles secondairos, les Progymnases et les Gymnases du Canton de Berne, 7 mars, 1879. The secondary schools for girls are analogous to tho Imlustrieschulen for boys. E.G., vol. 1, p. 21. Note also Mr. M. Arnold's (May, 188G) report, p. 7. 10 See—(a) Stat., pp. 22-28, 261-270 ; (6) K.C., vol. 1, pp. 19-21, 89, 90; (c) B.L. rep., pp. 105, 513-516 ; and (d) B. rep. 11 Thus, in Canton Lucerne tuition is universally free ; in Canton Zurich the secondary school is free, but the higher schools charge fees. .

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