SWITZERLAND.

E.—l2

Features common to all Cantons. intended "to give those who wish to devote themselves to industry, commerce, or the technical professions, in addition to mere general culture, the special knowledge and skill required for these careers, and for admission into the Polytechnic School;" whilst the " Gymnasien," or classical schools, are considered the preparatory schools for the highest institutions—viz.— (5.) The universities 1 (Berne, Zurich, Basle, Geneva, and Lausanne-), or the Polytechnic School. (6.) Switzerland is a poor country, and the Swiss a frugal people, yet education is the one thing in which—whilst they are thrifty in seeing that the money is wisely spent —they are exceedingly liberal in their expenditure; so much so that, in some cantons, one-third at least of the public moneys collected is spent upon it. 3 The two noteworthy features in the financial educational policy appear to be direct local: taxation and expenditure by locally-elected authorities, and that scholarships arc only given to pupils who pass the requisite examination, and who require them in order to pursue their studies. They are, moreover, small, even in view of cheap living in Switzerland. 1 (7.) The following points, relative to teachers, seem worthy of remark'—(a) No pupil-teacher system exists in Switzerland ■/' (b) No one is allowed to teach 7 except after having obtained a qualification from a normal school/ or otherwise in accordance with cantonal regulations ; 9 (c) The length of term (three or four years) at the normal school, and the facilities there for practical study; (</) Teachers are trained at the normal schools 10 entirely at the public expense ; (e) The appointment of a headmaster is, at all events in some cantons, 11 for a certain term; (/) Headmasters sit on the cantonal Boards of Inspection ;'- -(ff) Only fixed salaries are paid, 13 and they are comparatively very small) 1* and (Ji) Pensions are provided for in Berne, 16 and in some other cantons. 16 The special features calling for notice in respect of inspection 17 appear to be — ]

Universities and £° n y 0 t O O,° lmic School support.

Noteworthy financial policy.

Teachers.

Inspection.

i Seefa) Stat., pp. 270-277 ; (b) R.C., vol. 1, p. 215; (c) Loi sui l'etablisscment d'une university a Berne, 1834; (<() Reglemcnt iiber die Ertheilung der Doktorwiirdo Bern, 1883 ; and (c) S. and U.C., pp. 285-256. For higher education of women, see also Amur. Commrs. Rep., 1884 for 18.82-83, p. 186; Dr. Withers-Moore's recent Presidential Address before Brit. Medical Assoc. (188G), Eng. ; Mrs. Lynn Linton's art. thereon in " Fortnightly Review," Oct., 188G ; and comments in "Journal of Ed.," Sept., 188G, p. 350. - Not, however, a complete university, only academic. 3 See, for details— (a) R.C., vol. 1, pp. 21, 289-292, and 515 ; (6) 8.L., rep., pp. 119-123, and 512. 4 See also— (a.) Stat., pp. 28-230; and (b) B. rep., p. 21. 8 See, for detail— (a) Stat., pp. 240-257 ; (6) B. rep., pp. 17 and 18 ; and (c) 8.L., rep., p. 129, and compare with N.Z. regs., Gazette No. 92, 1878. Mr. M. Arnold designates Switzerland " the most efficient country as to school staff," evidence before 8.E.C., 5105. r' See also 1.E.G., vol. 13, p. 190. For the part that women take in teaching sec Mr. M. Arnold's evidence before R.E.C., 5672 and teg., and 5903. ' See also— (a) Loi du 24 juin, ISSG, sur de l'instruotion publique (Art. 29 et 30), et la loi du 18 juillet, 1875, sur les ecolos normales, reglements du Canton de Berne, 28 novembre, 1872, et 11 aout, 1883 ; and Mr. JI. Arnold's evidence before R.E.0., cspec. 5117 and scq., and 5973, &c. " The instruction is better in foreign popular schools than in ours, because the teachers are better trained." M. Arnold's (May, 1880) rep., p. 15. "The methods of teaching . . . are more gradual, more natural, more rational than in ours," &c, p. 13.

6 The most recently published programmes of studies for Swiss normal schools for masters and mistresses respectively are herewith, viz., "Programme d'Etudes de l'Ecole Normalo des instituteurs du Jura Bernois. Delemont, Imprimerio Boechat, 1885;" and "Programme de l'Ecolc Normalo des institutrices du Jura Bernois a Delemont. Delemont: Imprimeric Boechat, 1585." 9 Vide, for instance, " Reglement BUE les cxameus des aspirants au brevet de capacity pour I'enseignement primaire (2 avril, 1855). Berne," herewith, and espec. note Art. 1. 10 For some further details see Mr. M. Arnold's evidence before R.E.C., espec. 5133 and scq., and 5149 and seq. 11 Canton Aargau, for instance, B.L. rep., p. 504. And see Mr. M. Arnold's evidence before R.E.C., 5973, which goes even further. 12 See also 1.E.C., vol. 13, pp. 189 and 190. " In Germany, the examined confers and cooperates with the teacher, and is regarded by him as a counsellor and fellow-worker, not an excise officer or a detective."—"Journal of Ed.," 20 July, 188G, p. 271. Note also the third resolution of the Congress of over 1,000 elementary teachers, held at Hanover on 15 June, 188G, " Journal of Ed.," 1 Aug., 1880, p. 320. 1:1 Note its effect—Mr. M. Arnold's evidence before R.E.C., 0083. 11 Wee also — B.L. rep., p. 511; Pop. Ed. in France, as above, p. 187 ; and Loi 11 mai, 1870, Arts. 36-50, Berne. 15 See (a) Art. 55, loi 11 mai, 1870, and (6) B. rep., p. 7. Deductions from salaries are made towards a pension fund. 16 Note— (a) Remarks of Canon Cromwell, 1.E.G., vol. 16, p. 07; and (6) B.L. rep., p. 505. For some details relating to Zurich, see Mr. M. Arnold's (May, 1886) report, p. 21; and note his evidence before R.E.C., espec. 5125, 5557, and seif. 17 For details see—■ (a) Stat., p. 10; (b) 1.E.C., vol. 13, p. 190 ; (t) Loi 11 mai, 1870, and B. rep.;

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