E.—l2.

REPORT UPON STATE EDUCATION.

Main Features. religion form a necessary part of the school examination, or proficiency in it aid class promotion •} but at Rome, at all events, whilst liberty of conscience is safeguarded, equal care is taken that no colour of irreligion is given to the school. 3 Compulsory primary instruction consists of a course of one year in an infant school, 3 and courses amounting to four in an ordinary day school —two inferior courses of one year each, and two superior of the same duration. 4 There are schools in the evenings and on Sundays for workmen ; 5 but a main want seems to be schools for continuing the work of the primary institutions between boyhood and manhood j 6 and this is the more needed as the compulsory-age period ends in Italy comparatively early. The want, too, of some provision against the employment of uneducated children, and children under a certain age, seems urgent.'

Compulsory

Evening and Sunday schools.

SCHOOLS. The following table supplies some particulars respecting schools other than primary :—

' For details, see Pec, pp. 85-90, 95-99, 104-118, and espec. 89 and 105. - See Pec, p. 107. 3 Naples municipality decided Kindergarten should be the first degree of education, see Hipp., p. 121. * See Pec, pp. 85 and 109. For hours of instruction, and homo lessons, infra. Note interesting estimate of the attention possible to be given by a child at different ages, furnished in Hipp., p. 20. "If salles d'asilo could bo opened, where little folks could have proper care, there would be an increase of school attendance." '•> See also — (a) R. C, vol. 1, p. 47; and (6) Pec, p. 90. " A permanent commission has been established in connection with the Ministry of Agriculture. It is to have a general oversight of industrial museums, schools of art as applied to industries, schools of design for working men; in fact of all institutions which have to do with industries as taught to the working classes." —Amor. Commr. Rep., 1885, for 1883-84, p. 227. 6 See also Pec, p. 90; but note exception at Florence, pp. 249, 250; and "pupils graduating from the third

grade are expected to attend an evening school for a year."—See Arner. Commr. Rep., 1885, for 1883-84, p. 227. " See, for instance, R. C, vol. 1, pp. 383-391. s Bearding schools. Their organisation has better reputation than that of primary schools. See also— (a) S. and U. C, pp. 109-159; (b) Pec, 98-103, 113 and 200 ; for girls, pp. 169-174 ; (c) Hipp., pp. 41, 174, and seq. ; (d) Amcr. Commr. Reps., 1882-83, p. 233, and 1883-84, p. 227 ; 11 But note mode procedure, Hipp., pp., 170, 231, and scj. 10 Note how professors are trained, Pec, pp. 121-122. 11 See also— (a) Pec, pp. 118-12G, and 200-204 ; (6) Hipp., p. 284 and seq. ; (c) S. and U. C, pp. 130-150; (d) Amer. Commr. Rep., 1882-83, p. 233. 12 See also— (a) R. C., vol. 1, pp. 27, 47, GG, 353-392, 507, 511, and espec. 148 and 156; and vol. 3, cspec p. 193, and ans. 4308-4321; (6) Pec, pp. 136-159; (c) Hipp., pp. 132-174.

50

Class of Schools. Number of Schools. Number of Professors. Number of Scholars. Terms. Age of Entry. Subjects. Secondaby," 1883. Gymnasia 701 - a 3,074 41,124 5 years (5 courses of 1 year each) 10 or 11. But preliminary exam, required on entry, and on promotion from one class to another. Greek, Latin, history, geography, and arithmetic. No religious instruction in secondary schools, except in Royal colleges for girls.' Lyceums 10 or Colleges (leading to a University) 298 l,G01 11,133 3 years. Admission only gained on presenting satisfactory certificate of license from Gymnasium. Same subjects, with philosophy, chemistry, and natural history. Other High Schools In other high there were in schools 1883 also ng instructed. 1,948 scholars hei Jniveesities. 11 In 1881 there these, the t important he at Turin, 1 dents, and t at Naples, 2 least four urj are free. were at jwo most :ing—one ,G51 stublio other 1,851. At livcrsitics 10,592 Applicants for admission must produce a certificate from a Lyceum, and undergo a preliminary examination. Theology is not taught. 'Technical. 12 In 1883 383 22,120 3 years. No religious instruction. * These are specially intended for those who, on leaving p irimary schools, aro destined for a coimnci •cial or industrial career.