Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

the schools is visibly improved. A better tone is given to what may be called the public opinion, or general state of feeling, among the pupils. The poor have naturally more confidence in the instruction for which they see that their better-educated neighbours are willing to pay; and there is reason to hope that mutual feelings of respect, regard, and sympathy will be encouraged and developed, among children educated on a common system. There is no fear that an unnatural displacement of classes will result, since the children of those parents who are able and willing to supply them with good books, to aid them in home studies by encouragement and advice, and to keep them in school until they have completed their education, will be better able to maintain their relative position than had they been educated in those small establishments which have hitherto been their only resource.

Still, my Lords, such a system will require careful watching and most serious consideration. The dangers and difficulties are scarcely less obvious than the benefits. If the master's salary depends upon the number of pupils paying a higher weekly stipend, as is sometimes the case, the temptation to partiality is likely to be far too strong for ordinary minds. If, again, the children are arranged in separate divisions, as is now done at least in two very efficient schools, we can scarcely hope that equal attention will always be given to both, and must fear lest that division should suffer, for which it is the especial object of your Lordships' Grant to provide the means of education. If, upon the whole, it is just and expedient, as I believe it is, to educate all the children between the class of paupers and shopkeepers in common schools, it must be most important to lay down some regulations to prevent abuse, and to ensure that no change, which may lead to important modifications of the system, shall be introduced, or, at any rate, established without previous consideration. I have not observed any ill effects myself, and on the contrary have received most favourable accounts of the present working of the experiment, but still feel it my duty to bring the matter before your Lordships.

The second experiment to which I alluded, is that of industrial schools. This I year can only state that it is now in course of trial upon a large scale, and with every prospect of success, in the parish of Finchley. It has not been long enough in operation for me to ascertain the results, which will doubtless form an important feature in my Report next year. successful, it is probable that similar experiments will be made both in London and some country districts, and, it may be hoped, not without producing beneficial effects upon the habits of the poor.

VOL. I.

F

If

In conclusion, I venture to express a confident opinion that the schools in my district have been considerably improved within the last year, and that the improvements already introduced are to be regarded as the pledges and forerunners of a better system than has hitherto been attempted or hoped for by the friends of popular education.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

To the Right Honorable

The Lords of the Committee of Council on Education.

F. C. COOK.

APPENDIX.

THE following statement, with the ground-plan of the Finchley Industrial School, will be interesting and instructive to persons interested in the education of the poor.

Scheme of Industrial Instruction in the National School of the Holy Trinity District in Finchley.

Every boy aged 11 years or more has a garden of two poles, rent free, to cultivate for his own use; and keeps a debtor and creditor account of the value of the produce and of the expenses of his garden.

Every boy is employed one hour and a half in the afternoon, daily, except on Saturday, in cultivating his own garden, or in cultivating a plot of ground for the benefit of the school establishment, or in some other industrial occupation.

On Saturdays the boys are employed from 9 o'clock a. m. till noon in cultivating their own or the school garden, or in some other industrial occupation.

The boys are encouraged in working in their own gardens in play-hours and before and after school-hours.

The boys are employed in classes of four, alternately, every Friday, from 8 till 9 o'clock a. m., in cleaning knives, pumping water, and chopping wood, for the girls' industrial school.

Pecuniary and other rewards are given to those boys who cultivate most successfully their own gardens, who keep the best account of the cost and produce of their gardens, and who are most punctual in attendance.

On some occasions, when the boys work in the garden at extra hours, they are paid for their labour.

The hours for industrial occupations of the girls, in addition to those commonly employed in knitting, sewing, &c., are, on Monday afternoon, not exceeding one hour, in making an inventory of clothes to be washed, in sorting and putting them in soak; on Tuesday morning, not exceeding three hours, in washing and cooking; on Wednesday, not exceeding half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the afternoon, in drying clothes; on Thursday, not exceeding one hour in the afternoon, in damping, folding, and starching; on Friday, not exceeding two hours in the afternoon, in ironing, mangling, &c. ;

on Saturday, three hours in the morning, in baking, sewing, knitting, cleaning, &c.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Resolved," That poultry, rabbits, and swine shall be kept by the school, and tended by the boys; that sheds, hutches, and styes shall be constructed by the boys, with such help as may be provided; that a mill be provided, with which the boys shall grind corn; and that the boys shall be employed in mending shoes and clothes, and in knitting; provided always that the boys shall follow these occupations in the fixed industrial hours, and that they shall be pursued under the direction of the master, with such help, and subject to such orders, not opposed to the principle of this resolution, as the treasurer may at any time direct."

Names of boys who have gardens, and value of the produce of their plots, since July, 1849, to Michaelmas, 1849:

:

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

Ground Plan of National Industrial School in Holy Trinity District, at Finchley.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

N.B.-The following tables contain 'an account of those schools only which have been inspected by me since the beginning of the present year, and do not include a considerable number in which I examined candidates whom, for various reasons, I was unable to recommend for apprenticeship at present. Most of these will be revisited early next year. I must also refer to the statement in the beginning of my General Report.

The schools which I inspected last year, in the metropolitan district, were either reported on in 1847-8, or have been revisited and described this year.

The statistics and account of the schools in the eastern counties, which no longer form part of my district, will be found in the Rev. M. Mitchell's Report. In most of those counties, during the autumn and winter of last year, I recommended or examined pupil-teachers, and in each instance reported favourably upon the instruction, discipline, and general efficiency of the school. I cannot, however, take leave of those counties without expressing an opinion, that the instruction given in the schools under inspection is very considerably improved, although the great difficulties which I have so frequently noticed, arising principally from the employment of young children in agricultural labours, remain undiminished.

December, 1849.

F. C. C.

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »