University Attendance.-Six students attended University Classes. Six attended Political Economy, two Mathematics, one Education, and one Natural Philosophy.

Certificate Examination.-Of the 42 second-year students who were presented for examination in July, 1901, 11 passed in the first, 12 in the second, and 19 in the third division. Of the 50 first-year students, 13 passed in the first, 24 in the second, and 13 in the third division. Committee. I had the honour of a conference with the Committee

ABERDEEN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

TRAINING COLLEGE.

Staff.-Joseph Ogilvie, M.A., LL.D., Principal; Charles McGregor, M.A., Science and Mathematics; James Taylor, M.A., English and Classics; John Kirby, Music; Robert Ogg and Forbes M. Clark, Drawing; Alfred Macleod, Elocution; George Cruden, M.A., Drill; John M. Nisbet, Pianoforte; Elizabeth Cleland, French and Music; Isabella Clarke, German and Household Management; Lilias J. Dunbar, Arithmetic, Nature Knowledge, etc.; Jessie Morrison, Lady Superintendent and Mistress of Method.

Health of Students.-There have been no cases of serious illness, and the general health of the students has been very satisfactory.

Failed.

Total 106, or 16 more than last year. All except 8 male and 14 female students had been pupil-teachers.

There were in addition 41 self-supporting female students.

Practising School.-A very substantial improvement and extension of the premises have been carried out.

Drill. The students continue to receive one hour's practical instruction per week in Physical Drill. Opportunities for practice in teaching drill are also provided; and a short course of illustrated lectures is given on the anatomical rationale of the various exercises. At the end of the course an examination is held, in order to test and classify the students.

University Attendance.-The number of present and former students attending Aberdeen University during Session 1900-01 was as follows:

Males. Females.

(a) Who passed the Admission Examination, December, 1897 4

1898

1899 10

They were distributed as follows:-Latin, 4; Greek, 2; English, 9; French, 7; German, 1; Logic, 3; Education, 3; Moral Philosophy, 2; Mathematics. 5; Natural Philosophy, 2; Theoretical Chemistry, 3; Practical Chemistry, 1; Systematic Zoology, 1; Practical Zoology, 1.

University Distinctions.-Fifteen places in Order of Merit Lists were gained, one prize in Mathematics, two first-class certificates in Zoology, and the silver medal in Theoretical Chemistry.

Science. The subjects taught this year were Experimental Physics and Chemistry, Botany and Zoology. The last two subjects were taught in special classes conducted at the University. The science work was almost wholly practical in nature.

Certificate Examination.-At the end of two years' training, 23 passed in the first division, 10 in the second, and 4 in the third. Out of 102 candidates of both sexes, 58, or 57 per cent., passed in the first division, and all the students but 8 passed in either the first or the second division.

Committee.--I had the honour of a conference with the Committee.

ABERDEEN UNITED FREE CHURCH TRAINING

COLLEGE.

Staff.-George Smith, M.A., Principal; John Downie, M.A., Latin and English; George Davidson, Mathematics and Science; John Mackay, M.A., Science and School Subjects; Alexander Bremner, M.A., B.Sc., Practising School and Master of Method; William Litster, Music; David Symons, Art Master, Drawing; Agnes Walker, LL.A., Lady Superintendent; Jane A. Strachan, Assistant Governess; Helen Robertson, German; George Cruden, M.A., Drill.

Health of Students.-The Medical Officer reports most favourably on the general health of the students during the past year. Except for one case, now quite convalescent, there has been an entire absence of serious illness.

There were in addition 39 self-supporting female students.

£8

University Attendance.-Thirty-five students attended classes at Aberdeen University last winter, distributed as follows:--Education, 16; English, 6; French, 14; German, 2; Latin, 7; Greek, 1; Logic, 7; Natural Philosophy, 3; Moral Philosophy, 4; Mathematics, 2; Chemistry, 4; Zoology, 1; Geology, 1.

University Distinctions.-Seven former students (six male and one female) graduated M.A., the latter with second-class Honours in Modern Languages and Literature.

One former student graduated B.Sc., with special Honours in Chemistry.

The 8th prize in English, and the 6th and 7th prizes in French, a special prize in Natural Philosophy, and a prize for private work in Zoology were gained, besides 20 places on the Merit List :-8th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 23rd and 28th in Education; 12th, 13th and 17th in French; 6th in German; 5th in Hons. Mathematics; 27th in Latin; 18th in Natural Philosophy; 22nd in Moral Philosophy; 4th in Chemistry; 3rd in Practical Geology; 5th in Systematic Geology; 3rd in Practical Zoology, and 5th in Systematic Zoology.

Drawing. The teaching of Drawing has been completely reorganised, and is now in accordance with a special scheme drawn up for a two years' course of instruction.

Science. The Science special course for this college embraces practical work in Physics and Chemistry. Instruction is also given in Agriculture, and summer classes in Botany and Zoology are provided.

Certificate Examination.-At the end of two years' training, 23 passed in the first division, 25 in the second, and 2 in the third. Out of 113 candidates of both sexes, 59 or 52 per cent., passed in the first division, and all the students but 8 passed in either the first or second division.

Committee. I had the honour of a conference with the Committee. I have the honour to be,

To the Right Honourable

Your Lordships' obedient servant,

The Lords of the Committee of Council
on Education in Scotland.

T. A. STEWART.

REPORT, for the Year 1901, on the NEEDLEWORK of KING'S SCHOLARS in TRAINING COLLEGES and of KING'S STUDENTS under LOCAL COMMITTEES in SCOTLAND, by THE HONOURABLE MRS. COLBORNE, DIRECTRESS OF NEEDLEWORK.

MY LORDS,

work.

I HAVE the honour to submit my annual report on needleDuring the month of May I visited the Training Colleges of Scotland, and found that the students were being well and carefully taught practical needlework, and were receiving systematic instruction in the art of teaching the subject. The lessons given in the practising schools were, as a rule, well suited to the children, who showed much interest in the rapidly sketched blackboard diagrams (used to illustrate the difficult points in a needlework exercise).

To teach needlework successfully to a large class of children, without giving undue individual attention, is a difficult task, and it is important that the students should acquire greater facility in collective teaching. Notes of lessons, the working of sections of garments to illustrate the lessons, blackboard diagrams, etc., should occupy the time formerly given to the making of two or three garments; more skilful teachers of needlework will thus be secured, though the number of excellent needlewomen may be smaller. Great proficiency in needlecraft can only be gained by practice, and, as the time devoted to manual occupations in the collegiate year is but short, we must be content if, at the close of their training, the students have become good practical needlewomen and bright intelligent teachers of the subject.

The average marks gained by the 874 students examined at the Certificate Examination (July 1901) were 82 per cent.; those of the Acting Teachers were 70 per cent.

At the Queen's Scholarship Examination in December 1900, 1,026 candidates worked the prescribed tests; their average marks were 70 per cent.; a satisfactory advance on last year's average.

I beg leave to submit the special reports on the Training Colleges and King's Students.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

To the Right Honourable

The Lords of the Committee of Council

on Education in Scotland.

RHODA E. COLBORNE.