E.—l2.

EEPOfiT UPON STATE EDUCATION.

Features common to all Cantons. («) That Inspectors arc .Tppoiutcd for a limited term; (b) Their jurisdiction over private as well as public schools; and (c) The share which headmasters have in cantonal inspection. Each canton lias power to make regulations in respect of private schools as well as public; and cantonal education is managed by a Board of Education. 1 CANTON BERNE. I will now treat of one canton more in detail —Bernc,^ chosen as containing the capital, as the most populous,'' and as a fairly representative one. 4 It is, naturally, outside the scope of a report, covering so large a subject as several national systems of education, to enter upon the technical minutise of a particular school •;' and, therefore, all that is here stated, especially in view of the authorities referred to which suppty ample information, is the main impressions made upon me as the results of my visits to schools in Berne. The visits were made in company with a gentleman connected with the Education Board, M. Bcrchten, with whom I saw examples of infant-, primary-, and secondary-schools. I noticed especially the — (a) Excellent discipline everywhere manifest, 0 the (b) Thorough method in which all instruction seemed to be imparted, the (c) Searching manner in which scholars were tested in knowledge, their (d) Healthful-looking hardiness and vigour, and their (e) Neatness and general cleanly appearance. Everything seemed done in accordance with strict discipline, and thoroughly.' The buildings were commodious, playgrounds ample, and the fittings suitable for the purpose. 8 The schools visited were Protestant, where the religious exercises consisted principally of reading the Bible with comments; but although Berne is a Protestant canton," Roman Catholic schools have also been established there by the school authorities." J Any reformed pupils (eleves reformes) in the Roman Catholic schools, and Roman Catholic pupils (eleves catholiques) in the reformed schools, are relieved from frequenting religious teaching; and so with children who do not belong to cither of the two national confessions. 11 The subjects of instruction are not the same in all cantons ;'- but the Bernese courses, both in primary 13 and secondary 11' schools, are fairly illustrative. It will be remembered that gymnastics is an obligatory subject everywhere in Switzerland. Attendance in the Canton Berne at the primary schools is compulsory from the clay of the opening of the summer session of the year, in which by the 31st March a child

Noteworthy features of Bernese schools.

Religious exercises.

Subjects of instruction.

Compulsory attendance.

(d) Reglement du Canton de Berne du 5 Janvier, 1871; (c) Reglcment dans lo Canton de Berne, 15 decembre, 1882, and 15 mai, 1883; and ( f) Reglement Berne du 10 Janvier, 1873, and ordonnance du 22 Janvier, 1880. Note duties of Inspectors—Mr. SI. Arnold's exam, before R.8.C., 5089; and how they are chosen, 5094. 1 See also B.L. rep., p. 131. 3 For detailed information as to others, sec Stat. « See Stat., p. 8. 4 For Zurich, seeto) R.C., vol. 1., pp. 18-21, 39, 120, 127, 180-191, 208-279, 292, 293 ; and (b) S. and U.0., pp. 235-256. For satisfactory results the cantons which stand first are Bale, Geneve, Thurgau, Zurich, Vaud, &o. For extracts from Aargau and Ncufohatel cantonal laws, see B.L. rep., pp. 504-516. 0 But see " Hours in a Swiss Class-room," by an English Schoolmaster. Bickers and Son, London, 1870 (hereafter termed H.S.C.R.) • See also Mr. M. Arnold's evidence before R.E.C., espec. 5213. t See H.S.C.R. 8 See loi 11 mai, 1870, Berne, Art. 18, and reglement 5 Janvier, 1871, Berne, Arts. 0 and 16. For hints as to construction of school-desks, see 1.E.G., vol. 13, p. 40; and see espec. Report of Commissioner of Ed. for the U.S.A., 1885, for 1888-84, p. 230,

9 See Stat., p. 8. In Berne, in 1830, 163,168 Protestants ; 65,828 Roman Catholics. 10 In Lucerne, where the Roman. Catholics prevail, "regular religious instruction is given to Catholic children in tho school, and to the Protestants out of school, and out of school hours." 11 See also loi 11 mai, 1870, Art. 11. 12 Seefa) Stat. 6) S. and U.C., pp. 235-256; and (c) Pop. Ed. in France, see tabular statement at end of volume. ' s For details, see — (a) Loi 11 mai, 1870, Art. 1; (b) Plan d'enseigtiement 1878, and compare with N.Z. reg. Gazette 92, 1878 ; and (c) Infra table. Instruction in needlework in all the cantons is given either m primary schools, or in special schools for the purpose. 11 For details, see— (a) Loi 26 juin, 1885, avec modification due 2 sop., 1807, Art. 11; and (b) Plan d'etudes, 1879. See also (a) R.C., vol. 1, pp. 19-21 ; (b) Stat., pp. 41-55 ; (c) H.5.0.E., and (d) B.L. rep., pp. 510 and 514.

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