TABLE of the RESULTS of EXAMINATIONS for CERTIFICATE of MERIT, Results of exminations This table shows that while a greater number of the teachers have been successful than of the ordinary students, none of the Queen's scholars have failed. There is also a steadiness of progress observable in the last class of candidates, the result doubtless of their training during the apprenticeship. Of the eighteen there are fifteen in the second class, and three in the third, in which respect they compare advantageously with the successful of the other students, and also of the masters. The following table will show what number of students were from 1850, examined, and what proportion of them passed at each of the training schools from 1850 to 1854 inclusive: inclusive. feet per child in Normal In comparing the attendance at the normal schools with Eight square the accommodation in square feet, by which it might seem not enough that they are less than full, (though, as I understand, admis- schools. sion to the model schools must every quarter day be refused,) it may be borne in mind that, in these schools more than in ordinary schools, while the children must be assembled in large groups, they must also be dispersed in sections, so as to be worked, without too much mutual interruption, by the students, who, with the pupil-teachers, considerably augment the numbers. Indeed this last object, is very imperfectly gained in either of the institutions, but more especially in that of Edinburgh, which has not the advantage of a number of small class-rooms, into which sections may be sent. training gested. The increasing number of students renders it convenient, as Female well as desirable, to separate to a great extent the course of school suginstruction for the two sexes, who are now, for the most part, more especially in Edinburgh, taught and examined in separate class-rooms. The suggestion thence naturally presents itself that the best way of increasing the accommodation as well as the efficiency of these institutions, might be to raise a separate training school for female students. The numbers at present attending both, and they are not likely to diminish, would warrant the establishment of one at least, whether in Edinburgh or in Glasgow. The annual expenditure would, of course, be increased by the maintenance of a third staff of teachers, but the present staff, in each of the training schools, requires aid from that of the model schools, at the expense, in Edinburgh, of taking the head-master away from his class an hour in the forenoon, while in Glasgow the Rector is in charge of the model school as head-master, though he does not teach in it. It is this dependence that constitutes the chief, if not the sole practical barrier to a change in the time of the general examinations, which I have always represented as, on several accounts, most desirable for the furtherance of the service. I have availed myself of aid on which I can rely in endea- Needlework. vouring to form a judgment of the needlework of various kinds, plain and ornamental, that is practised at both the normal schools. I am inclined to agree with those who think that the prevailing taste for fancy work is, in the limited time, fully much indulged at the expense of what is in common life more useful; but, whatever its kind, it is particularly well executed. work. There is, however, no provision at either institution for the Household instruction of female students in the knowledge of those common things and those maxims which are of so much importance in all matters of household work, and domestic economy; but in a training school for females, with a suitable staff of teachers, there would be no excuse for the want of such a course. STATEMENT of the INCOME and EXPENDITURE of the EDINBURGH and GLASGOW By joint grant in the above accounts is to be understood 2501. for each of the Normal schools, from the General Assembly, to meet your Lordships' grant of a like sum. In 1852 it was proposed by your Lordships to reduce the fixed grant of 500l. for each of these schools to 250l., with an allowance for each student that should pass successfully the examination for certificate of merit; and by this arrangement the amount of grants to the normal schools has been greatly increased. II. Report on Elementary Schools. schools in pations. The elementary schools inspected by Mr. Middleton, between Number of 31 August 1853 and 31 August 1854, are 171, and by me spected. 143; together 314; but the number of inspections was greater than this, as several of the schools were double, and some of them triple. Mr. Middleton's were thus 185, or, including sewing departments, 201; and mine were 166, or, including sewing departments, 179, in all 380. The children present were 27,906; the pupil-teachers examined were 478, and the candidates for apprenticeship, 269. With my other official occupa- Other occu tions for the year, including, besides the general examinations for certificate of merit, in which Mr. Middleton also had a share, several visits to each of the training schools, my general report for the previous year, the consideration of special cases, and 1,445 letters in correspondence, exclusive of intimations of visit, I found it impossible to effect more in the way of inspection, and I have to say that Mr. Middleton made every effort to aid me Arrear cases. in keeping as low as possible the arrears of annual grant cases, which, owing to the constant additions to the number of schools on the list, were still increasing. In anticipation of this, I intimated, about a year ago, my conviction that there would be more annual grant cases than it would be possible for Mr. Middleton and myself to visit; and it has again been necessary to submit a considerable list of such cases to be paid exceptionally, or without the usual visit of the Inspector. The pressure arising from the constant call for inspection Special reled to the delay from time to time of special reports that ports. were required on questions of some difficulty, arising chiefly from opposing applications for aid to build schools in the same place, or from local objections to a proposed school as unnecessary, and involving the consideration of lengthened correspondence, as well as the result of inquiries made on the spot. I much regret these delays, and I am aware that they have occasioned inconvenience and disappointment to the parties; but I was unwilling to hazard an opinion without some further opportunity for continuous consideration of them, which, though often expected, was still prevented for the time by something of more immediate urgency. The cases referred to will be now reported on without delay, so that another season for building may not be lost. The appointment of Mr. Gordon, as an additional Inspector, Additional Inspector, whom former experience in the office will at once enable and separate to enter vigorously on the discharge of all the duties attaching district. to a distinct district, will go far to enable Mr. Middleton and me to meet the rest of the existing cases; but new cases are still constantly arising, and may now do so in greater number Advantages of distinct spection. than formerly. It might, therefore, be for the advantage of the service, so soon as my Lords may see fit, to assign a separate district to Mr. Middleton also, and it is the merest justice to him on my part to say that in every point of view I regard him as eminently qualified for such a charge, under all its responsibilities. An Inspector who visits a school alternately with another district in- will naturally refer to the intervening report, when it is printed, in forming his opinion of its progress; but as a means of judging this must be greatly inferior to his own personal observation, and the imperfection must go to affect the annual general report for the district. Several causes, too, concur in preventing the regularity even of alternate inspection; in particular, the principal Inspectors are employed for a month in preparing their general reports, while the assistants continue to go their rounds. It has also been strongly urged upon my attention that the constant recognition of the same Inspector by the children, and the expectation of his stated return, might be made to act most beneficially not only on the esprit de corps of the schools and among the classes, but also on individuals, so as greatly to aid the efforts of the teacher. The effect on the important class of pupil-teachers would certainly be much better. Greater personal knowledge of them would be acquired, and reference to any remarks made at a previous visit would be much more pointed. Progress of inspection. The following Table will show the several sources from which the cases already on the list have arisen, the progressive increase from each during the last five years, and the number of schools which still remain, and from which the be much increased. list may soon |