E.—l2.

ITALY

ITALY. 1

INTRODUCTION. !t\ia is progressing rapidly in State education: and the official statistics, published in 188 i, arc surprising, as even the few following figures 3 show : —

But State education in Italy is not, as yet, in that matured condition 3 which warrants looking to it for profitable example. 4 ' Its present organisation is too recent ;" the change too sudden ; 6 the antagonistic forces at work too powerful. 7 For these reasons I only availed myself of private letters that I held to certain high dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church, to learn whether they were satisfied with the present State system; and, if not, what, if any, amendments would make it welcome to them. MAIN FEATURES. The stage which national education has reached is that primary instruction 8 is— (a) Gratuitous, 0 (b) (Nominally) compulsory, 10 and (c) (Perhaps) religious. 11 That is to say (nominally) compulsory at State schools from the age of six for a period of five years (unless the authorities are satisfied with the education received elsewhere), so far as the condition of the country allows : for, owing to the sparsity of population in some districts, 12 schools arc not yet available for all. Its religious feature consists in the lay head-masters conducting once a week, on Saturdays, a religious exercise 13 in the great majority of schools; although there are some exceptions where this is entirely left out of the programme. 11 ' But even religious instruction is only given to those children whose parents express a wish for it : la and all the children may be exempt from it by going to school one hour later than ordinarily. 10 Nor does

Statistical returns.

Gratuitous, compulsory, and religious features.

Religious feature'

1 For " Education in Spain," see " Journal of Ed.," 1 Aug., 1886, p. 315. 2 Compare with " L'lnstruction Publiquo en Italic," par C. Hippeau. Didicr ct f!io., Paris, 1875 (hereafter termed " Hipp."); figures 1873-74, pp, 126-131. See also Eeport of Amer. Commr. on Educat. for 1882-83, p. 230, and 1883-84, p. 227. 3 Note, for instance, uneducated factory children ; (a) " R. C," vol. 1, pp. 389, 390 ; (6) I. E. C, vol. 13, p. 195 ; and (c) Amer. Commr. Rep. for 1882-88, p. 233. 4 Except in respect of deaf-mute institutions, see Special Report herewith. 6 See also— (a) " Deux Mois de Mission en Italic," par F. Pecaut. Hachette, Paris, 1880 (hereafter termed "Pec"), p. 201; (b) Hipp., pp. 41, 43, and 126. 0 See also Pec, p. 87. ' See also Pec, pp. 111-112. 8 For full details, see Hipp. 7—E. 12.

9 Soo also Hipp., pp. 38, G4, and seq., and 81. 10 See also —■ (a) B. 0., vol. 1, pp. 27 and 385-300, and cspec. 390; (6) Hipp., p. 73 and seq. ; (c) "School-life in the Apennines," "Journal of Ed.," 1 Oct., 188G, p. 414; and (d) Amer. Oommr. Eep. on Education, 1885, for 1883-84, p. 227. 11 Note law of 15 July, 1877, and also that of 1859. Pee., pp. 88 and 104. 12 Every commune of 4,000 must have a primary school. 13 See also Pec, pp. 88 and 106; and for effects, pp. 114-118. 1' At Bologna, for instance, and Florence; but in the latter case note special provision. See Pec, pp. 105 and 24G. 15 See (a) Pec, pp. 96 and 98 ; and (6) Hipp., pp. 59-63, 88 and 96. 10 See Pec, p. 88. It is said, however, to bo very rare that families refuse religious instruction; nearly everywhere Jews, with a few Protestants, are the only ones to absent themselves. See Pec, pp. 96 and 108.

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1871. 1883. Educational vote ... 16,300,000 frcs. 30,400,000 frcs. 1861. 1881. Schools 21,353 42,510 Pupils 1,008,674. 1,928,700.