BELGIUM.

Main Features. TABULAR STATEMENT CONCERNING BELGIAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS— continued.

E.—l2.

marketing 9—E. 12.

Classes of School. How supported. Usual age of frequenting. Fees payable. Instruction. (2) Primary schools 1 (ecoles primaires communales.) The (a) Communes "3 (primarily), (J) Provinces (secondly), "S (e) State, and u (a) Fees. - See loi 20 sept., 1884, art. G. ,o "B o & o u G-7 to 14, unless child goes to secondary school in first instance. 50 centimes and 2fr. per month; but gratuitous for poor. 5 In some communes free schools. Reading, writing, elements of arithmetic, legal system of weights and measures, elements of French, Flemish, or German language — according to the wants of localities —geography, history of Belgium, elements of drawing, notions of agriculture, ,, and, for girls, needlework,* Additional teaching may be added under certain circumstances. 5 Three courses, each of two years or more. But communes may place the moral and religious teaching at the head of tho programme of all, or some, of their primary schools. This teaching must be given at tho beginning or end of the other instruction. Children, whose parents request it, aro to be excused from assisting. H o fa to 3 o3 Jfr CO o 3 (.3) Secokdary schools" The town, or corn- :9 Entrant (a) Higher elementary, mime, which is -g . sent to or middle class (mo- the seat of age ratory yennes inferieurcs) Royal Athente- O S annexei — 81 for boys, 36 um, or of a se--g ? otherwi for girls. condary school !& when i (b) Royal Athciueums' (ecolemoyenno), a q tendec (Athenees royaux) puts at the dis- higher s 20* all-day schools posal of the B g —although in some Government a . .o places boarding suitable school- g "g Entn houses in connec- house, provided *= g oxarnin tion. with furniture in "3 'g good condition ;_o 1X_ and the cost of a repairs is to be rg supplied by the commune. The j= town, or com- ts muno, contri- -S butes besides to g^ the expense of & the school by an m annual subscrip- j>, tion, which need [3 not exceed one- $ third of the ex- a ponses. The^S Government is rt authorized to.2 contribute by g subsidies to the .2 cost of first g e s t a b 1 i shment s and purchase of "a the school furni- o ture in the case 3 of athena3um 2 and secondary schools. .3) Secokdary schools" (a) Higher elementary, or middle class (moyennes inferieurcs) — 81 for boys, 36 for girls. (6) Royal Athciueums' (Athenees royaux) 20 8 all-day schools —although in some places boarding houses in connection. Entrance G-7, if sent to preparatory school annexed ; but otherwise 9-15, when not intended for higher schools. Entrance examination. 11-18. G0-100fr. per annum. 25-60fr. per annum. Latin and Greek are not taught. Tho instruction is divided into two branches:— (a) Literary, (6) Scientific or professional; in each of these there are seven classes. "No Latin is taught on the professional side." 9 At least one in each commune in a suitable locality, loi 20 sept., 1884, art. 1, and see I.E.C., vol. 15., p. 301. See also R.C., vol. 1, pp. 25 and 515. Note remarks of M. Germain on " Objects of Primary Schools," I.E.C., vol. 14, p. 334. Drawing compulsory. See also I.E.C., vol. 14, p. 259, 271. Two or more communes may, when necessary, be allowed by the King to unite in founding or supporting a school, art. 1. Primary communal schools are managed by the communes. The Communal Councils determine the number of schools and teachers, art. 2. - If parent goes to Burgomaster and says he cannot pay. See also R.C., vol, 1, p. 24. 8 Note paper on " Music in Schools," I.E.C., vol. 13., pp. 467-480, and espec. 471. * Paper by M. Germain, I.E.C., vol. 14, p. 834, also courses fixed by Government; see loi, art. 5. " Cooking will henceforth bo an obligatory subject in all the girls' schools of Brussels, by a recent decree of tho Municipal Council. Tho course will bo both practical and theoretical. The different subjects to be included are marketing, tho relative nutritive 16 « See ai re fo i, "In in m hi s< But 6 The ] ilues of all articles of food, and the practical tanagcrnent of a kitchen."—" Journ. of Ed.," July, 380, p, 297. Circulaire, art. 5. For selection of books see loi, rt. G. This list of subjects has just been officially svised by the authorities, otherwise I should have rewarded the official documents herewith. See art. , loi 20 sept., 1884. i Holland, tho law defines the subjects of primary istruction as follows: Reading, writing, and arithictic ; the elements of geometry, Dutch grammar, istory, geography, natural sciences, and singing." ee Mr. Bailey's paper as above. - see note re religious instruction on preceding page. Roman Catholics have numerous good primary and condary schools—now subsidized. See also R.C., >1. 1, p. 26. e prepare for universities, and are under the more imediate care of State, and answer to English public hoolp, such as Eton or Harrow. teen is minimum number. See also R.C., vol. l,p. 25. 3.C., vol. 1, pp. 25, 2G. se< vo ' Thes< in sc' 8 Ninei 9 See I