COMMERCIAL EDUCATION.

Evening Star, Issue 7474, 19 March 1888, Page 1

COMMERCIAL EDUCATION.

The necessity for technical education is now generally admitted, and provision is being made therefor in most countries which have adopted a Statesystem. There is another very important branch of instruction ostensibly afforded in public and private schools, but practically it has often been proved by experience in a very indifferent manner, and this, possibly enough, owing to the fact that no direct tests have been in the ordinary way established. We refer to commercial education, the degree of proficiency in which, or too frequently the depth of ignorance, is only capable of demonstration when the yoimg is put to business, and too frequently has then to be taught, at . the expense of that business, the very first rudiments of trade and commerce. The Oxford and Cambridge Examination Boards, by their general Examinations at various centres of population in Great Britain, have done much to improve the level of teaching and education in the public schools, and their certificate of Associate, in; Arts has a distinct educational value in the United Kingdom. Towards the end of last year the Board entered upon a new enterprise, and promulgated a scheme of commercial examination, to the successful candidates in which specific certificates will be issued. : The idea owes its origin to the con-

viction—now very generally impressed on the public mind—that English trade will be better able to compete in the world’s markets if better technical and commercial education bfe provided in the English schools. From this point of view it must ! be conceded that , the new examination is well , thought of, and likely to do untold good. It may not perhaps effect all that in some directions it is expected .to do; for instance, get rid of the German clerks who swarm, it is affirmed, in London and Manchester. The reasons for the presence of these clerks will not, indeed, be much affected; but we gather from newspaper correspondence on the subject that their number and proportionate influence on the rate of salaries has been largely exaggerated.

There is, it may be stated, a class,of' employes with respect to whom an advance in commercial education would work a great good for English trade—namely, the commercial travellers who act as agents abroad to English houses. The consular reports continually refer to the almost uselessness of English agents, while foreign agents are apt to transfer business from English firms to themselves or their compatriots. Any improvement, however, in com-, mercial education may reasonably be expected to have wider results. In the first place the general level intelligence will be raised; and thje;importance of this does not requite argument. The trader, for instance* will understand better how to meet the demands of customers far off as well as near, and to adapt his wares t6 their needs. Secondly, some special results may be hoped for which are worth considering. The scheme of examination includes portions |of English authors to be specially prepared, and may include Latin and English history. It therefore will tend to give the would-be trader some tinge of culture; a distinct advantage, which is hardly afforded in the' English commercial schools, but is distinctly so, it may be said, in the secondary schools' of this colony. The proposed examination has a peculiar importance, there is no doubt, in relation to the and will keep commercial education up to the mark in all where boys ale being brought up who are intended for business.

The “ subjects ” required, in which proficiency will qualify for a certificate* are five—four being necessary—mathematics, English, geography, and a modem language. The fifth is to be chosen from the following:—Latin* English history, political economy* drawing, or science of variouphipdf. There is no maximum age fixed, tyit the papers are to be set for youthsf of seventeen, and it is thought that lew would be likely to take the examination later. The details of the 1 scheme have been very keenly criticised m those, papers, chiefly weeklies* which, ordinarily discuss educational topics. Under the head of modem for instance, it is suggested that boys shall be required to take two, but that “ the power of conversing fluently be omitted,” it being considered somewhat absurd to require an ordinary boy of seventeen to Converse in a foreign tongue. Sudh afadhlty is, in truth, a matter of long practice and training of ear and tongue, which can hardly he learned in any school, but must be picked up in short, sojourns abroad after the language, is technically acquired. In “English” it was first intehded to make Shorthand compulsory, but the Board on reconsideration have made this optional It is doubted whether it will be taken up by many who have not begun it, as it appears is not infrequently done now, in their schools. The very elementary algebra required is objected to, we notice, as compulsory, it being practically of little or no service.

On the whole, the new commercial examination by the distinguished authority of the Oxford and Cambridge Boards is highly commended both as to the scheme and the details by the English Press, and notably by the London papers. Its success is considered not to be doubtful* and the conviction is expressed that- it will doi

good service, “ The mere idea of competition,” says a leading weekly, will compel some schoolmasters to ■** enter j others will welcome a new u means of bringing fresh pressure on “ teachers and taught.”