Dr. SKEFFINGTON :—

Reports on the State of

"The New Programme, though only issued in September, has National already been taken up in several respects by all schools, especially Education. after their annual examinations, and in all schools since the beginning of 1901.

Mr. E.

Downing. "As regards proficiency, I consider Reading is improving in clear- The introducness and intelligence, while Explanation is decidedly making progress. tion of the "Measuring with graduated tapes and rules is tried in all schools Programme: from First Class up, and is found very interesting.

Kindergarten was even previously well taught in all Infants' schools and Infant departments in this district, but the special courses of Hand-and-Eye training for the ordinary schools and upper classes have been introduced in two large schools by assistants trained at the summer course in Dublin. These teachers give very good lessons in this subject, evidently interesting the pupils much, and decidedly calculated to teach accurate observation, careful imitation, and correct expression.

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Drawing was already taught in many schools, and is being adapted to the new courses. All certificated teachers are now taking up the subject, and some are beginning even without certificates.

"Singing had also been taken up previously in the majority of large schools, and is now attempted in others, and, in several cases, with good effect.

"No branch of the New Programme has been more readily or more generally adopted than Physical Drill, nor is there any exercise more enjoyed by the pupils, both boys and girls. In large town schools the services of professional teachers of this branch have been obtained, and the testimony of the teachers is general as to the interest taken by the pupils in this exercise.

Cookery was taken up previously in some of the large Convent schools, and has recently been introduced in the school of the Presentation Convent, Waterford, and I am informed by the conductors that it is most popular, and that the question of cost has solved itself by the pupils bringing the materials required.

The Presentation Sisters at Mooncoin, where Cookery has long been popular, have already commenced to erect a special building for Cookery and Laundry. The Sisters of Mercy in New Ross are also about building for the same purpose.

It is true that at first most teachers appeared to consider the changes so great, and many of the items so strange, that they did not well know how to set about the new work. But that stage is already past, as the teachers of this district are quite ready and even anxious to do their best; they have speedily learned how much may be done in the new courses without any great cost of apparatus, and they feel how much more interesting the new work is to their pupils. They feel relieved also at the freedom of classification in cases of dull or slow pupils, and at the liberty of combining small classes."

Mr. HOGAN:

"In the majority of schools in this district there is only one teacher, and there is a great want of originality of initiative in strik ́ing out an arrangement ensuring more constant direct supervision.

Revised

Reports on
the State of
National
Education.

Mr. E. Downing.

This same want of initiative is to be seen in arranging desks or forms. The new teacher rarely thinks of altering the arrangement he finds before him, and works at a disadvantage until some suggestions are offered.

The teachers are, as a class, orderly and well conducted; they appear to get on well with their neighbours, and there have been no The introduc- serious cases of complaints by parents."

tion of the Revised Programme.

Mr. W. A. BROWN:

"Already there is decided progress, and I have watched Reading lessons during the last six months that were as good as they need be. 'For the last six months there has been a gradual introduction of the Revised Programme. It is too soon to speak definitely of what has been effected, but in a large number of schools-notably, those near the city-there has been great activity, and there can be no doubt that the teachers are doing all they can to fit themselves for the new lines of work. Not only have the classes under the Board's organisers been zealously attended, but considerable numbers of teachers have attended special classes in Drill, Singing, Drawing in the School of Art, and lectures in the College of Science.

None of the new branches has been more popular than Drill and physical exercises, and it deserves to be recorded that the managers of the schools have in many cases been most liberal in providing competent instructors."

Mr. MCCLINTOCK :·

"Drawing and Music are taught in the Convent schools and in a few others. Instruction in the former subject is very imperfectly graded, and is almost entirely confined to imitation of freehand copies aní a little shading.

"In the case of Music, pupils prepared on the Tonic Sol-fa system usually acquit themselves fairly well.

"Up till a few months ago the teachers were bound by a detailed and rigid system of rules which kept them preparing their pupils for an annual examination in bookwork, and did not permit much choice of organisation of sufficient scope for the adaptation of method to circumstances. A period of transition has set in since the issue of the Revised Programme, and I can bear testimony to the lively interest it has aroused in the general body of teachers here, and to their anxiety to fit themselves for carrying out its provisions."

Mr. SMITH:

The teachers on the whole discharge their duties with conscientious care and satisfactory application.

I cannot fail to note the great trouble, inconvenience, and expense the greater number of the teachers here have gone to, to fit themselves for discharging their new duties with success. Drill and Drawing classes have been voluntarily formed at considerable inconvenience and expense; optional Needlework classes have been largely attended, and official classes for Hand-and-Eye Training and Drawing are attended with marked punctuality, in spite of long journeys and inclement weather. Again, two Cookery and Laundry classes have been attended, and the formation of others is but a matter of time. All this forcibly convinces me of the existence of a spirit for which I was not quite prepared, and which augurs well for the future success of the new scheme.

the State of

Mr. E.

"As to Needlework and Knitting, the proficiency attained in them Reports on is, on the whole, satisfactory. The same cannot be said of patching National and darning, which are generally of inferior quality, and the crude Education. attempts at cutting-out garments, save under the immediate supervision of the teacher, and in many cases even then call for urgent remedy. During the last few months a very capable organiser in this subject has been at work in the schools here, and I hope for much The introduction of the good from her visit. She has aimed with much success at diffusing Revised Proa knowledge of collective teaching in this subject-a mode hitherto gramme; little in use in schools here. She also instructs in cutting-out."

Mr. DALTON :

"Naturally enough, when the New Programme appeared, a feeling of uneasiness took possession of the teachers. Most of them were perplexed, many were bewildered, not so much by the extent or inherent difficulty of the problems set before them, as by their complete novelty.

In several of the schools examined during the months of November and December-I might, indeed, include some of the schools examined in October-I found that many of the initial difficulties had been surmounted, that the minds of the teachers were generally alert and well-informed, though sometimes needlessly puzzled on points of detail, and that their energies, on the whole, were turned in the right direction.

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In one subject in particular the progress already made has quite surpassed my expectations. The subject I refer to is Physical Drill. Drill has now become most popular, and in the large schools the classes have already attained a respectable proficiency in the various exercises of the programme. Most of the untrained and of the older teachers were, of course, incapable at first of drilling their classes. The most elementary ideas of the subject were unintelligible to them. A voluntary class for teachers has been established in Limerick under a competent drill master. This class has been well attended, and has done a good deal to diffuse a knowledge of the leading principles and methods of the instruction. Many teachers have been enabled to make a tolerable beginning by means of the information they have acquired from a good illustrated manual on the subject. All have endeavoured to do something, and as the instruction is certain, from its very nature, to advance in favour and in efficiency from day to day, its success, I feel confident, is assured.

"I look hopefully to the future work of the schools of this district. I do not base my confidence on what has been done, or attempted, since the new departure, so much as on the spirit which visibly actuates the teachers. They have shaken themselves free of the mechanical lifelessness of the past. Confronted with new problems, they are awakening to a consciousness of new activities and new ambitions.

"I cannot too highly commend the eagerness they have shown to avail of every possible means of instruction with a view to equipping themselves for the work that has been set before them."

Mr. CRAIG : :

"As a body, the teachers are conscientious and, on the whole, well qualified for the discharge of their several duties. They attend carefully to the moral training of the pupils, and while maintaining proper order and discipline without severity, show no want of sympathy with the children entrusted to their care.

Downing.

Reports on

the State of National

Education.

Mr. E. Downing. The intro

duction of the

"The Revised Programme of instruction was issued in September last, but up to the end of the year all my annual examinations were conducted as heretofore, as I found that the schools had not as yet set out on the new lines.

The Convent schools cannot be too highly complimented on the excellence of their organisation, the suitability and cheerfulness of their commodious and well-furnished school-rooms, and, above all, on Revised Pro- the skill, earnestness, and zeal of the Sisters in charge. The children attending these schools receive not only an education which is thorough and sound, but they acquire, at the same time, habits of neatness and order, and are taught the necessity for a respectful and kindly demeanour towards their teachers and each other.

gramme.

Measures

Instruction of

"

The Monastery schools are also in a very satisfactory state as regards discipline and proficiency, though conducted in a dilapidated and badly furnished building.

"I am happy to say that instances of downright bad schools are rapidly diminishing.

Considerable progress may be noticed in Reading during the last two years.

"Plain Sewing and Knitting continue to improve, but faulty methods are often adopted, and there is an entire absence of class teaching and demonstration.

"Cookery is taught in Queenstown, Rushbrooke, Midleton, and Youghal schools, and the children take a keen interest in the work.

Drawing was taught in thirty-three schools under the Results system. The plan usually followed by the teacher was the old one of giving out copies to the scholars, and then going round in turn to each. There was little collective teaching from the blackboard, and freehand was the only branch of the subject ever attempted.

"Prior to last October Vocal Music was taught in only twentythree schools. In the Queenstown and Youghal Convent schools this subject has reached the highest pitch of excellence.

On the whole, I am convinced that primary education has steadily progressed in this district for the last two years. The closing year of the century will ever be memorable in the history of Irish National Education for the far-reaching changes then initiated changes which have yet to stand the test of time. I can, however, say that the great majority of managers and teachers in this district welcome both the Revised Programme and the new system of inspection heartily, and believe that they will render the instruction given in our schools more healthy and less wanting in intelligence, utility, and attractiveness."

Instruction of the Teachers in the New Branches.

With a view to the instruction of the teachers in the new branches

taken for the and in the method of teaching them, and also with a view to guiding Teachers in and assisting the teachers in the introduction of these subjects into the schools, a staff of head organisers has been appointed, together with a number of assistants to each of them.

the new

branches

which they are Mr. Bevis, formerly Director of Manual Training in Birmingham, required to introduce into was appointed Head Organiser of Manual and Practical Instruction their Schools. in April, 1900, and, during the summer vacation, introduced his system of Hand-and-Eye Training and of Drawing to a very large class of teachers in the Central Model School. These were under instruction for about five hours a day for six weeks. Three hundred and sixty-six teachers attended this class, and from these four were subsequently selected and appointed sub-organisers.

National

Mr. E.. Downing.

Instruction of

These sub-organisers give instruction to classes of teachers at Rpeorts on appointed centres throughout the country in the evenings, and during the State of the usual school hours visit schools in which Hand-and-Eye Training Education. or Drawing is being introduced, with a view to guide and assist the teachers in this new work. One lesson in a fortnight is given to each class of teachers. In this lesson sufficient matter is taught to occupy both the teachers and their pupils for the ensuing fortnight in putting Teachers in the instructions into practice, and each teacher is expected to go the new through this amount of matter in his school before he receives his branches...... next lesson. In the case of Drawing particularly, the teachers need considerable practice between the lessons. Each sub-organiser in this manner attends concurrently to about thirteen classes, each consisting of about fifty teachers.

2,699 teachers are actually at present under instruction.

The head organiser visits the classes of teachers under instruction and the schools in which the subjects are being taught, and on these occasions makes suggestions and gives sample lessons. Before his assistants set forth on their mission he gave them a special training.

Mr. Heller, formerly Headmaster of the Birmingham Municipal Technical School, was appointed Head Organiser of Object Lessons and Elementary Science in May, 1900.

In the months of October and November he gave instructions to a class of fifty teachers, who attended for about five hours a day during six weeks. Each morning there was given a lecture with demonstrations; in the afternoons the teachers repeated the experiments in the laboratory, or prepared notes.

In December, an assistant organiser and four sub-organisers of Elementary Science and Object Lessons were appointed, and now two classes of teachers, with about fifty members in each, are under instruction during the day, whilst, in additional evening classes, 148 teachers are receiving instruction. The instruction in these classes is limited to Elementary Science; Object Lessons have not as yet received attention.

Mr. Goodman, Inspector of Musical Instruction, has had, since April, 1900, assigned to him, in addition to his former duties, the organisation of Musical Instruction in the schools throughout the country, and, in July, six assistants to him were appointed. His assistants instruct classes of teachers in the evenings and on Saturdays and, during the day, visit schools to afford guidance and assistance to teachers introducing instruction in Vocal Music for the first time into their schools. The several classes meet either every evening or on alternate evenings, and continue, in the former case, for six weeks, and in the latter for double that amount of time. The numbers of teachers attending the classes vary considerably according to circumstance, but the average number of members of each class is about fifty. There are thus instructed by the six assistants about 300 teachers every six weeks. Mr. Goodman makes all the arrangements for these classes, visits them frequently, and holds an examination at the conclusion of each.

Miss Fitzgerald was appointed Organiser of Cookery and Laundry Instruction in April, 1900, and twelve assistants to her have been appointed. Like all the other assistants or sub-organisers, these are sent as required to appointed centres throughout the country to instruct classes of teachers. Each class consists of from sixteen to twenty members. The instruction lasts for five hours each day, and continues for seven weeks. In the forenoons the teachers practise under the supervision of the instructress.