E.—l2.

REPORT UPON STATE EDUCATION.

GREAT BRITAIN. 1

DIGEST. 2 A digest of State education in Great Britain is first given; and the main features are then treated of more in detail. State education in Scotland is based on the English Acts and codes, although immediately controlled by the Scotch Acts and codes : 3 and its main lines run, to a great extent, parallel: so that I write of England, 4' 5 noting any main divergence as I proceed. 6 The educational system of England, unlike all others written of in this report, nominally provides only for elementary instruction ; 7 is secular in theory, 8 but virtually otherwise in practice; 9 is not provisionally 10 compulsory, but necessarily so; 11 and is not gratuitous for all/ 3 although free to all. 13 Class books, however, are provided without charge. The compulsory attendance period is, virtually, everywhere from the age of five to that of thirteen :u ' and no school age limit exists. 10 There is no Minister of Education : but the system is managed, although perhaps more indirectly than directly, by the " Education Department ; 1G which is nominally under the presidency of the Lord President of the Privy Council."

Introduction

Elementary, secular, compulsory, and gratuitous.

Compulsory period, and no school age limit. System managed by Education Department with Boards and managers.

1 The just published first report of the Royal Commission on the Working of the Elementary Education Act, containing 13,854 questions and answers, should be studied. 2 For "Origin and History of National Education in England," see Sir P. J. Keenan's address, Trans. National Social Science Assoc, p. 43, Dublin, 1881 (hereafter termed Sir P. J. Keenan's address). See also " Progress of National Education in England and Wales," by Rowland Hamilton. Transactions as above, p. 479. 3 Eng. Acts, 1870, 1871, 1873, 1876, 1879, and 1880, and Code of 1886 (hereafter termed Code) ; Scotch Acts, 1872, 1876, 1878 (2), 1882 (2), and 1883, and Code of 1886. See also " Instruction to Inspectors for England and Scotland," 1886. For hand-books on Code, note one by Mr. Heller, Bernrose and Son, Lond., and one by Mr. Moss, Cassells, Lond., 1886. * Unless otherwise mentioned, Wales is treated as included in the term England. » Note— (a) Rep. from Select Committee of the House of Commons on Education, &c, in England, Scotland, and Ireland, 31 July, 1884 (hereafter termed S. C), pp. 426-9 ; and for Ireland, p. 50 and seq. For historical sketch of State Education in Ireland and its present condition see paper on " Primary Education," with a review of German, Irish, and English systems, by W. F. Bailey; E. Ponsonby, Dublin, 1884 ; and see Sir P. J. Keenan's address, p. 36. "Ency. Brit.," vol. xx., 1886, under head "Roscommon," states that out of a population in 1881 of 132,490, 47,259 are unable to read or write, and 18,373 can read only; while 66,858 can both read and write. But the 47,259 include, I presume, all that are under school age. For further recent information see also Mr. Ellis's " Irish Directory." Dublin, Ponsonby, 1886. (6) I. E. C, vols. xii.-xvi., and "Times," 7 Aug., 1884. (c) B. 0., vols. i.-v. 6 Compare— (a) General Reports of Committee of Council on Education for England and Wales (hereafter termed G. R.), and for Scotland, 1885-86, and " Instruction to Inspectors for England and Scotland," 1886. (b) "Times," arts, and letters, Aug. 18, 20, 21, and 22, 1883; and see (c) Comparison of English and Scotch systems in publication by Henry Craik, M.A., LL.D., now Sec. to Scotch Ed. Dep.; Macmillan and Co., 1884, especially pp. 143-149, and 159. ' Compare with N.Z. 1877 Act, sec. 55, and other provisions. But note that Eng, Code, arts. 16 and 17, and pro-

grammes, substantially provide for secondary education, notwithstanding clauses 45-7 of Revised Instructions to Inspectors, 1884. And note especially Mr. Cumin's recent evidence before Royal Commission, 1886. I cannot find that " elementary education " is anywhere denned in English law. See also "Nineteenth Century" (hereaftertermed N.C.), Feb., 1883, art. by Lord Norton on " Middle Class Education" (hereafter termed M. C. E.). For interpretation of term " elementary school" see Code, s. 3. 8 Eng. Act. 1870, sees. 7, 14, and 74, and comparo with N.Z. 1877 Act, s. 84, ss. 2. 9 See Parliamentary Return to House of Lords, 15 Jan., 1884, upon religious teaching, &c, in Board schools. 10 See N.Z. 1877 Act, s. 05. 11 Eng. Acts, 1870, s. 74; 1873, ss. 23, 24; 1876, ss. 4-13; and especially 1880, s. 2. Compulsory feature introduced into England in 1870, in Scotland in 1872. No compulsory education in Ireland ; and note illiteracy, S. C, p. 6., and " Ency. Brit.," as above. 1 2 See— (a) Eng. Act, 1870, ss. 17 and 26; 1873, s. 3; 1876, s. 10; and compare with N.Z. 1877 Act, sec. 84 (6), and (b) " National Education at Homo and Abroad," by Dr. J. H. Rigg; Hazell, Watson, and Viney, London (hereafter termed Dr. R.), p. 16. '» Eng. Act. 1870, s. 5. " Eng. Act, 1870, s. 74, ss. 2, and compare with N.Z. 1877 Act, s. 89, and s. 84, ss. 2, and s. 83, and 1885 Act, ss. 6-8. Apparently, however, under certain circumstances, attendance obligatory up to 14. See Eng. Act 1876, especially s. 11, ss. 2, and s. 12. In Scotland, however, school age is 5-14. School life does not, as a rule, begin before 6. — G.R. Scot., 1885-86, p. xii. A child under 14 is not allowed to work as a full timer in factories or workshops unless such child has passed the Fifth Standard. 15 Note evidence of Mr. Cumin before the above-mentioned Royal Commission. "We do not stop at the age of 13. If it was explained to us that in consequence of the superior character of the Board schools the children went up to the age of 16, we should immediately call for a fresh provision. Since the code of 1882 age is abolished. As to the persons who want to go to the elementary schools, it does not matter whether they are 16, 17, or 18. In an infant school you can have a boy of 9 or a boy or 10; and in other schools boys up to any age, so long as they have not passed the Seventh Standard." 16 See Eng. Act, 1870, ss. 3 (for interp. of term) and 97, Code, art. 1, and compare with N.Z. 1877 Act, ss. 4 and 6. For details see S.C.

7