E.—l2

FRANCE.

Elementary Primary Schools. In every primary school there is a liall—" preau," where there are lavatories and moveable tables whereon the children can take at noon their dinner meal, and near to there are culinary arrangements for preparing, or warming-up, the children's food. Where there is not a special hall for the teaching of gymnastics, the children can march or perform gymnastic exercises in the preau, or have recreation there in rainy weather; and in such case a part of it will be devoted for the deposit of the children's clothing. 1 The play-grounds are, as a rule, small; although they arc considered indispensable for a primary school. 2 Both Mr. Matthew Arnold, and a prominent member of the London School Board, consider that the French elementary schools arc in advance of the English; 3 and the Commissioners state that the ordinary schools of France (primary and secondary) excel the English ones, as a preparation for the technical schools, in the manner pointed out in their report. 4 SUPERIOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS. The next step is the superior primary school ("ecole primaire superieure"), 5 an institution entirely distinct from the elementary primary school; and here the course comprises at least two years of studies, and here also manual instruction 6 is pursued; although there arc also schools established mainly for apprenticeship instruction purposes (ecoles manuelles d J apprentissage") . 6 Superior primary schools include also higher elementary technical schools. 7 The object of the establishment of superior primary schools will be found stated in the report of 29th October, 1881, already mentioned; and their organization in a letter from M. Ferry to the Prefect, dated Gth November, 1881. There are no " Optional " subjects. 8 Special masters attend to teach music, 0 gymnastics, 10 and sometimes drawing, 11 which is said to be more advanced than in English schools. 13 The ordinary school hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., one hour and a half interval at noon, and one hour from 4 to 5 p.m. for gymnastics. 13 The income 11' available for expenditure on primary schools is derived mainly from the State and the communes. The State supremely controls, in the case of all primary schools, through the Minister of Public Instruction. 15 SECONDARY AND HIGHER SCHOOLS. In respect of the secondary and higher educational establishments, 10 attention is invited to the following facts :—

' Seo also reg. d'org. peel., p. 56, Arts. 30-32, and reference to preau. —Dr. Philbriek, pp. 176 and 177. 3 Seo rtg. d'org. ped., p. 56, and for construction of schools see pp. 51-58. Note elaborate and recent official publication (herewith) on " School Architecture and Hygiene, with Plan and Illustrations for the use of School Trustees in Ontario, Canada." Printed for the Toronto Ed. Dep., 1885 ; and Dr. Philbriek, p. 171, and espec. pp. 170 and 177, on " Requirements of the Modern School-room." 3 See E.E.C., 5512 and 5913, and Hon. L. Stanley, also a member of E.E.C., 188G. * Vol. 1, p. 19. Industrial schools, " established by the law of 1880," are. henceforth, by virtue of the law passed this year, to " lank as elementary schools of the first class." "Journal of Ed.," Oct., 1886, p. 415. 5 See (a) L. and B. (b) Lois etreglements and statistique; (c) Decret et arrete du 27 juillet, 1885, relatifs aux etablissements primaire superieure subventionnes par l'Etat; (rf) Paper by Hon. L. Stanley, I.E.C., vol. 16., pp. 365 and 366. 8 See (a) Mem. from Ministry, p. 32 ; (6) Above official references ; (c) E.C., vol. 1, p. 18 and seq. ' See, for instance, E.G., vol. 1, p. 70 and seq. 8 For subjects of study, see tabular summary, ivfra. "See address of M. Guilhot on "Music in French Schools," I.E.C., vol. 13, pp. 449-453. Singing is taught with an instrumental accompaniment.

5—E. 12.

10 See (a) reg. d'org. ped., p. 7; and (b) E.G., 1st rep., p. 13. " Sec also E.G., 1st rep., p. 13. 12 See (a) Hon. L. Stanley, p. 465 ; and also (6) E.C., 1st rep., p. 29. 13 Number of hours calculated to bo about the same as in England and Germany. 14 For full particulars, see— (a) E.C., 1st rep., pp. 7, 25 and 26; and (b) L. and E. rep., p. 5, and compare with N.Z. 1877 Act, s. 42. But note Mr. M. Arnold's (May, 1886) report, pp. 9 and 10. 16 Technical schools are under the control of the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. See also E.C., 1st rep., pp. 23 and 24. For system of subsidiary management, see R.C., 1st rep., p. 13. 16 See— (a) " Programmes," 1882. r (b) " Nouveau Plan d'Etudes des Lycees." " Plan d'Etudes des Lycees, Annee Scolaire 1885-86. Paris: Delalain Frerea." " Programmes de l'Enseignement Secondaire Special. Paris: Imprimerie Kationale, 1886." And " Amits portant Reglement pour les Lycees des Jeunes Fillep. Paris : Imprimerie Nationalc, juillet, 1884." (c) Address by M. Liard. Eector Academy Caen, I.E.C., vol. 16., pp. 399-403', and see 201 and 202. (d) " Intermediate Education for Girls in France," paper read by T. J. East, Inspecteur of Acade-' mie Perigueux, I.E.G., vol. 15., pp. 383-388,

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