Documentary History of Education in Upper Canada

Education in Upper Canada,

FROM THE PASSING OF THE

CONSTITUTIONAL ACT OF 1791

TO THE

CLOSE OF THE REVEREND DOCTOR RYERSON'S ADMINISTRATION
OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN 1876

VOL. XXVI., 1874-1875.

FORMING AN APPENDIX TO THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

J. GEORGE HODGINS, I.S.O., M.A., LL.D.

OF OSGOODE HALL, BARRISTER-AT-LAW, EX-DEPUTY MINISTER
OF EDUCATION; HISTORIOGRAPHER TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF ONTARIO.
PRINTED BY THE ORDER OF

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY L. K. CAMERON,

Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty

1908.

WARWICK BRO'S & RUTTER, LIMITED, PRINTERS.

TORONTO.

PREFATORY NOTE TO THE TWENTY-SIXTH VOLUME.

This Volume contains a more than ordinary amount of interesting records of educational work done and progress made in Ontario during the year to which it refers.

The several Statutes relating not only to the Public and Separate Schools, but also to the High Schools and Collegiate Institutes, underwent a careful revision. An addition of several new Sections was incorporated in appropriate places in the revised Text, and the whole, when thus prepared, was consolidated, the one part into a Statute, relating to the Public and Separate Schools, and the other part into a Law dealing with the Council of Public Instruction, the High Schools, and the Collegiate Institutes.

The object of this revision, amendment and consolidation of these several Educational Acts was not only to improve the condition of these Schools, and the Collegiate Institutes, but especially to improve the status, and render more efficient our system of Normal School training. A new Normal School, which had been erected at Ottawa, was put into successful operation, and in the formal opening of which, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Attorney-General, the Chief Superintendent of Education, and the new Minister who was to succeed Doctor Ryerson, took part.

A prolonged and interesting Correspondence between the AttorneyGeneral and the Chief Superintendent of Education, took place in 1874, on the subject of the revised and improved School Laws. As, in this Correspondence, the various improvemnts and amendments, which had been suggested, were fully stated and discussed, I have thought it desirable to insert in a separate chapter, (Number III).

A formal attack on our Educational Depository, (in an elaborate Letter to the Attorney-General), was made by a Toronto Bookseller, and which he afterwards embodied in a printed Pamphlet, was replied to by the Chief Superintendent, and, in a Letter to the Attorney-General, he took a comprehensive view of the whole matter, showing that the prompt and efficient supply of Maps, Apparatus, Books and School material, for use in the Schools was just as important and necessary as was the supply of trained and efficient Teachers. He also quoted the strong commendation of our Depository system by distinguished Educationists in the United States, as well as the equally strong and unanimous endorsement of it by a Select Committee of the House of Assembly, and also, as the result of the practical experience of our own Public School Inspectors.

In order to deal effectively with the troublesome question of Vagrant and Truant Children, as one mode of giving effect to the principle of compulsory education, where Free Schools existed, a Draft of Bill was prepared by the Chief Superintendent to establish Industrial Schools in the Cities and larger Towns of Ontario, to which that class of children could be sent by a Magistrate, on the complaint of a School Trustee, or a Ratepayer.

In Chapter VI is recorded a description of a new Building erected in Toronto by the liberality of the adherents of the Free Presbyterian Church,

for Knox College. In connection with an account of the Ceremony of its opening, I have appended a carefully prepared Sketch of the history of the College from its establishment in 1844 to 1874.

In the same Chapter will be found full records of the proceedings of the Churches in regard to the Collegiate Institutions (of Victoria, Queen's and Trinity Universities), connected with them.

On the invitation of the Ontario Government a Convention of the promoters of the education of the Deaf and Dumb was held at the Institution for that object in Belleville, at which several most practical questions relating to the care and instruction of the Deaf and Dumb were discussed, and much useful information was given to those present who had less experience in the work of dealing with those who were thus afflicted.

One of the questions raised by the Booksellers, in connection with the Depository controversy, was that of the prices of Prize and Library Books to be supplied to the Schools. In order to have the question authoritatively and definitely settled, a special Case, on the subject, was prepared, to be submitted to the Chief Justice of Ontario for his decision thereon, and of this proposal the Booksellers were informed by the Chief Superintendent. Before, however, the Chief Justic had considered the question, the AttorneyGeneral wrote to the Chief Superintendent to withdraw the "Case," and to assume the duty of deciding the question of prices himself, as the Booksellers had no jurisdiction in dealing with such a question, and, therefore, had no right to interfere in what was a purely departmental matter.

Full and explicit Financial Statements, in regard to all money transactions of the Education Department, will be found recorded in appropriate places in the Volume.

It is gratifying to be able to state that the revised and amended School Legislation of the year was, as a rule, well received by School Trustees and Ratepayers, and had a most beneficial effect on the Schools, not only in regard to superior School House accommodation, but also in regard to the general character of the Schools, and the qualification, status and Salaries of the Teachers.

J. GEORGE HODGINS,

Historiographer of the Education Department of Ontario.

TORONTO, 30th October, 1908.

CONTENTS OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH VOLUME.

CHAPTER I. EDUCATIONAL ACTS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN 1874

I. An Act to Amend and Consolidate the Law Relating to the Council

of Public Instruction, the Normal Schools, Collegiate

Institutes and High Schools

Part 1. Constitution and Duties of the Council of Public
Instruction

II. Appointment and Duties of the Chief Superintendent

of Education

III. High Schools and their Districts