SWITZERLAND.

E.—l2.

Canton Berne. has attained the age of six years, 1 and the obligation then continues for nine years, unless the child previously proves proficiency. But the duration of the semi-annual courses of study should not be overlooked. 3 There are from eight to ten weeks holidays in the year. ', The hours of attendance in ordinary primary and secondary schools are from 7 a.m. to: 11 a.m., and 2 to 4 p.m. in summer; and from 8 a.m. to noon, and 2 to 4 p.m. in winter/1 with a short interval during the hours mentioned. 8 The numbers which arc allowed to be in a class arc limited.' 1' i As in most of the other cantons, school necessaries have to be provided by the parents; or their representatives] and if not so provided, are supplied at their expense, except in 1 cases of poverty. The Canton of Berne, as do the other cantons, supplements communal support/' andi the taxes leviable for the purposes, arc very heavy." The secondary schools in the City of Berne are, in most cases, virtually gratuitous ; si and where otherwise, the fees are very small, and in cases of need tuition is free. At the supplementary schools (except for boys unable to pay) a small charge is made. There are private schools in Berne, but only perhaps 2 or 3 per cent, of the children; during the compulsory age attend them ; 9 and in any case attandancc can only be at a recognized one. 10 Contributions of books are made by the canton to school libraries, u and this is done! annually, cither in the form of books or money, by some other cantons. I could hear nothing of "Over-pressure" in Switzerland. ' ZURICH POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL. I made a special journey to Zurich to see the Polytechnic School; and, in consequence of a letter of introduction from the Minister of the Interior, had an instructive interview with the President, Dr. Kappeler, saw the establishment in working array, and received a compendium of information respecting it. 12 But the subject has been so thoroughly treated of lately by the " Royal Commission on Technical Instruction," 13 that I could not hope to add anything valuable ; and the same remark applies to the supplementary and technical schools. 14 SUMMARY. The circumstances connected with Swiss education which seem for practical purposes especially worthy of remark, are— (1.) The compulsory, gratuitous, and religious features ; i (2.) Local government in the respective cantons by locally-elected authorities, whoj thereby act (subject only to the general principles laid down by the Confederation) in alii matters affecting— (a) Religious teaching, (Ij) Income (including direct local taxation for the purpose), (c) Expenditure, and (d) General administrative details.

Holidays.

Hours of attendance and intervals.

Class numbers.

School necesaries-

Canton supplements communal support. Secondary schools.

Private schools,

School libraries.

Over-pressure.

Compulsory, gratuitous, and features. Local selfgovernment,

1 See loi 11 mai, 1870, Art. 3. j 2 See Art. 4 and compare with N.Z. 1877 Act, s. 89 ; and i 1885 Act, 586 and 587. ■"■ See also loi 11 mai, 1870, Arts. 2-11. In supplementary schools time varies ; but at Zurich, for instance, see , E.G., vol. 1, p. 89. Note also Mr. 11. Arnold's (May, 188G) rept., p. 11, * Sec also loi 11 mai, 1870, Art. 17; and Mr. M. Arnold's evidence before R.E.C., ospec. 5105. 5 See also loi 11 mai, 1870, Art. 19, and Mr. M. Arnold's (May, 1886) rept., p. 7. For abolition of slates to pre- j vent myopia, see Keport of Commissioner of Ed. for the U.S.A. 1885, for the year 1883-84, p. 286, 6 See, for instance, B. rep. 1 See, as an example, loi 11 mai, 1870, Art. 34. 8 See (a) Art. 13, loi 26 juin, 185G, avec modif 2 septembre, i 18C7; and (ft) 1.E.C., vol. 13, p. 189. See also law Canton Aargau, B.L. rep., p. 514.

8 See also R.G., vol. 1, p. 20. 10 See loi 11 mai, 1870, Art. 2. 11 See B. rep., p. 6, and compare with N.Z. rep., 1886, p. 25. 12 See (a) Loi Fedoralo 7 few, 1854 ; (b) Abiinderungen des reglements 14 juli, 1873 ; (c) Rapport 1878; ((/) Reglement 24 novombro, 1881; (c) Reglement 23 mars to 2o avril, 1881; If) Programm 1883-84 and 1884; and (V) Stat., pp. 277-280. 1« See espee. vol. 1, pp. 187-191, and 29-2, 293. Note also 8.L., rep., pp. 115, 116, 121, and 104. " See espec. vol. 1, pp. 19, 20, 39, 50, 89, 90, 12G, 127, 215, 268-27G, 289-293. See also — (a) Stat., pp. 257-269 ; (6) B,L. rep., espec. pp. 104, 105, 114-117, 290-292; (c) S. and U.C., pp. 235, 23(5.

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