E.—l2.

REPORT UPON STATE EDUCATION.

General Features. charge ■} except in the case of scholars who are not only too poor to pay, but have distinguished themselves, when gratuitous instruction is generally available.- In some schools, however, there are only a certain number of free places f but to these, in some cases, in consequence of Royal and private legacies, free dinners and suppers, 4' or free dinners, 0 are attached. Fees, however, are in all cases low. Generally children have to buy school books, unless in cases of poverty. 8 (4.) Although the gradation of schools is not in all places the same, 7 infant schools are generally the first (although not a compulsory) 3 grade; and these children generally attend from the ages of two to six, but they are by no means always frtate schools. y Indeed, infant schools arc not favoured in Germany ; they tell you " it is settled by all the medical authorities that children have no business to begin to learn before they are six years old." i0 In the land of Froebcl 11 I expected to be impressed with the perfection of the Kindergarten schools, and to find them form a part of State education.^ In both respects, however, I w 7as disappointed. The infant schools I saw did not excel in discipline or intelligence those that I visited in England and elsewhere ; and although they, like all others in Germany, are subject to Government inspection, probably their voluntary character has some bearing upon the absence of special excellence. They arc in Germany considered advantageous institutions ; although a lady there, the wife of a professor, told me that she regarded them with disfavour because rich people send their infants to them instead of giving the children the superior advantage of home influence and training; and even were it not so, she considered them as only good to the extent of keeping the children off the street, because she is of opinion that they cause children to dislike both play and work. 1" An experienced school Inspector in Germany, although considering the schools in question distinctly desirable, also

notice of gratuitous provision in certain primary and secondary schools.

School books.

Infant schools.

Kindergarten schools.

' For instance, at Berlin, parent contributes about 100 marks out of a total cost of about 217. At Leipsic Royal Gymnasium parent pays 120 marks out of a total cost of from 240 to 280 marks. At Stuttgart Keal School parent pays £2 11s. 6d., town one-third, and State one-third, 1.E.C., vol. 16, p. 220. See also Amer. Commr. Kep., 1885, p. 211. 2 For instance, this is the case in Prussia if the pupil passes the six primary-school standards before ho is twelve years old. He is then helped for the school term, which is usually six to nine years. 3 As, for example, at State Gymnasium in Leipsic, which I visited, whore gratuitous admission not dependent upon examination, although in all cases in that school examination is required prior to admission to school. 4 It is so, for instance, in Leipsic State Gymnasium, where, moreover, some free scholars have board and residence. 5 This is also the case at some universities, such as Leipsic and Jena; and in Berlin University, and, indeed, in most, if not all, universities, a scholar unable to pay fees can arrange to defer payment till after leaving university, when he has ultimately to pay by deferred instalments extending over some years. Professors, however, to whom fees would accrue often ultimately relieve students from payment. 6 See also Mr. M. Arnold's (May, 1886) rept., p. 5; and R.E.C., Mr. M. Arnold, 5355 and seq. Note superiority of books, 5831 and seq. ' For instance, note E. C, vol. 1, p. 22. 8 For law in Saxony, see Mr. Bashford's book, pp. 8-11. 9 Thus, at Berlin they are private, at Leipsic municipal; and see M. C. E. 10 Mr. M. Arnold, K. E. C, 5377; and see 5159 and seq., 5467, and 5658. 11 Note paper and discussion, I. E. C, vol. 13, pp. 78-87, and 96-105. Also— (a) B. C, vol. 1, p. 21; (b) For Berlin, see Official Pamphlets dated 1873 (referred to supra) and 1879, relating to primary schools—one dated 1882 and one 1883, containing regs. for instruction in gymnastics in boys' and girls' primary schools—official list of books, dated 1882 (Katalog, &c.), recommended by Dr. Berthold for use in the highest Berlin schools. Official plan, dated 1881, of studies of natural science at the Berlin piimary schools, with special reference to the study of zoology; also rogs., dated 1882, relating to school buildings in Berlin; (c) B. E, Rep., pp. 523-536; (d) In Saxony, see Messrs, Bashford's and Felkin'a I books; I

(e) I. E. C, vol. 13, p. 438. For home studies, see Mr. Bashford's book, pp. 87-89 ; and (/) " By Ear or Eye," letters by Mr. John Ruskin and Mr. Walter Crane, P. M. 'Budget, 1 and 8 April, 1886. " How Froebelian principles and methods may best be carried out in the school," the Froebel Society London has offered a prize essay to be sent in by 1 Deo., 1886. "It is Froebel who tells us, again and again, that it is the very early training that is to the child of highest importance. Not one period of a child's life, he insists, is more valuable than another, and therefore requires greater care and attention; but all arc of equal importance, and should have, therefore, equal care. To do the best for the child, and to be content with nothing short of the best, &c, must be the aim of parents and teachers."— "Journ. of Ed.," July, 1886, pp. 276, 277. Messrs. Swan, Sonnenschein and Co. (London) are about to publish —if they have not already published—a translation of Froebel's autobiography, i: See also 11. E. C, Mr. M. Arnold, 5378 and 5463. "In Aug., 1851, the Prussian Government in panic and misconception issued a decree, couched in the most arbitrary terms, forbidding Froebel's Kindergarten to be carried on in the Prussian dominions, partly on the feeble and unphilosophical ground that it was laying at the foundation of the education of children a highly intricate theory. The Kindergarten of Prussia were then shut up, and it was not till 1860 that the Prussian Government abrogated their indefensible decree."—Sir P. J. Keenan's Address, p. 43. In Vienna there are 24 Froebel and 12 infant schools; and it is there " that the Kindergarten are said to have found more favour than in any other European city; and there authority in government and imitation in training are held to be essential elements in the system."—Dr. Philbrick, p. 47. The blind at the Normal College for the Blind, Upper Norwood, London, are taught on the Kindergarten system. " The more I see of the life of an instructor, the more I wonder at the course generally pursued by teachers. They seem to forget that the young mind is to be interested in order to be instructed." —H. W. Longfellow. Note progress of the Sloyd movement in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, " of which the Kindergiirten system of Froebel may be regarded as the precursor."—P. M. Budget, 23 Sept., 1886, p. 24. " Matter before form," Comenius. ln A very eminent Scotch educationalist informed rno that he also held this opinion. And note It. E. C, Inspector Stewart, 2422-2424. But see supra " Great Britain "—" Infant Schools."

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