E.—l3

1890. NEW ZEALAND.

THE STANDARD SYLLABUS. (REPLIES TO CIRCULAR ADDRESSED TO EDUCATION BOARDS AND INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS.)

Laid on the Table by the Hon. the Minister of Education, by Leave of the House.

PRKCIS OF REPLIES TO A CIRCULAR ADDRESSED BY ORDER OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION TO THE EDUCATION BOARDS AND THE INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS IN OCTOBER, 1889. Auckland. Boaiid (11th February, 1890). —Submits suggestions contained in joint report of Auckland InspectorsThe suggestions are : In schools with only one teacher omit " class subjects" and "additional subjects" at the discretion of the Inspector, and similarly omit " additional subjects" in schools with one teacher and one pupil-teacher. Let two branches of the prescribed drawing be sufficient for pass in Standard IV., Standard V., and Standard VI. Mr. Aibey, Inspector (4th February, 1890). —Suggestions identical with those contained in the joint report. Mr. Dickinson, Inspector (11th February, 1890). —Eequire " pass subjects" and no othersubjects in a school with one teacher; add geography, elementary science, and object lessons where there are two teachers. Let two branches of drawing suffice for pass in Standard IV., Standard V., and Standard VI. Let girls omit geometrical drawing. In Standard 111. remove geography from " pass subjects "to "class subjects." For history in Standard 111. let reading of " Historical Eeader" (alternately with reading of ordinary reading-book) suffice. Mr. Goodwin, Inspector (7th February, 1890). —Suggestions identical with those contained in joint report. Taranaki. Mr. MuEEAY, Inspector (22u<l November, 1889). —Eedistributo the work of the six standards so as to spread it over seven standards. Provide a programme of lessons for the classes below the First Standard class. Eevise the First Standard a little, especially in arithmetic. Introduce composition and the beginnings of grammar in Standard 11., instead of leaving it till the pupil is in Standard 111. Give the Inspectors power to influence the teachers in the exercise of the freedom allowed to them in drawing up a course of object lessons and lessons in elementary science. Hold a conference of Inspectors and a few representative teachers. Uniform interpretation of syllabus will be secured only after an entire change in the control of inspection. Wanganui. Boabd (28th November, 1.889). —The question should be submitted to a conference of Inspectors. Hawse's Bay. Board (/20th February, 1890).- A conference of the Inspectors of the colony, with one representative from each Education Board, is suggested. Girls should be relieved from one subject of study to make up for their attention to needlework. Mr. Hill, Inspector and Secretary (27th June, 1890). —Insist on excellence in reading, writing, and number, as a condition of promotion from the preparatory class to the standard classes. Have three standards only, corresponding to Standard 11., Standard IV., Standard VI., and examine the individual pupil once in tw 7o years. Eecast the syllabus so as to provide different schemes of education for different districts, according to their special wants. Give Inspectors discretionary power to reduce the demands of the syllabus in its application to small schools. Drawing should not be compulsory in all schools. Let needlework be a "pass subject" for girls; encourage " cutting out" and the use of the sewing-machine. Give the Inspectol' power to order the re-presentation of a child after long absence. Abolish " exceptions."