The Express.
London, England, 1860-03-19 00:00:00

UN!TID AssociarzoN OP SCHOOLMASTX&I

- -
Ol RABAT BRITAIN.
A special general meeting of this association was
held en Friday evening, at St. Martin's Hall, for the par-
, poescflmaringfroto Mr. Tremenheere, government inspector
of raining districts, an explanation of his proposed scheme
for an examination of all children leaving the day school
finally, and of dame' the subject.
The enamour! (Sir Thooas Phillips) haring expressed his
deep interest is the object for which the meeting was con-
vened,
Mr. Tainciarnmas delivered an address of considerable
length, in which lie gave a history of prise ankames, and of
hi. own pia more especially, and referred to a paper on the
subject, whichilie rad before an educational conference in
1857, remarking towards the close that he had since that
modLtied his scheme as regarded examinations in re-
knowledge. The substance of his observations is
embodied in the following series of propositions with which
he concluded :

"I. Tltatthe early age at which the children ot the labour-
ing classes leave the day school, and they regulerity of
their attendance while there, aro great °Wachs toiler satin-
factory progress of popular education.
2. That it appears from the report of the Committee of
Council on Education for 1858, that in the inspected schools
of England, Wales, and Scotland, there is room for 52 per
cent. more children than are in average attendance.
"3. That any practicable plan for correcting this state et
things dmerves the earnest support and co-operatiou of this
! association.

"4. That the published opinions of competent persona
reprdtng the effect of the prize schemes lead us to the
belief that they have had a considerable influence in causing
the children to attend more regularly, and to remain longer
at school, and have stimulated them to greater efforts, both
am to son foment and conduct.
"5. That the extension of the principle of the prize
schemes, according to the plan proposed by Ms. Trenzen-
=is deriralole, with such modifications as
,further
ration may point out.
"6 That with this view an organisation which should give
facilities for the examination, half-yearly, of all children
leaving the day school finally, who could come up to a
certain standard, would have the cordial support of this
association.

'l. That we are of opinion that this organiaatint, should
embrace groups of schools within easy communication of
each, other. That all elementary schools of whatever
kind should be invited to send candidates to the exami-
nation. That the association would see with satisfaction
committees of persons interested in promoting popular edu-
cation formed for each group, or district, comprising
several groups, fur the purpose of communicating with the
managers and teachers of the various schools relative to the
arrangement. for such examination, and that this asso-
elation hereby signifies its desire to co-operate with
any coalminess that might be formed for that par.
poss. That no child should be sort to take
part is mesh azassinstioa without bringing with it a certifi-
cate of good conduct, and also • certificate that it can
resies plain narrative correctly, and can do the first four
rides of arithmetic, simple and compound. That class lista
should be made out after each examination, the names being
ed in the order [of merit, and that inch lists should
be.e. •
& That if the committee of any group should also
think fit to forma prize fund, in order to offer prises to be
competed for at three examinations, a nun of not less than
11. per school, or department of • school, under • separate
teacher, should be contributed to such fund by each school
sending candidates to juin in the competition. That in such
cape the prizes should be distributed to the successful candi-
dates at • public meeting. That if any such prize fund be I
formed, it is desirable that the offer of special prizes should
also be invited for encouraging excellence in, or an aommint-
anee with. particular subieen, such as for bookinoPilt
letter writing, mensuration, knowledge of the laws of healt
plain needle work and knitting, domestic economy, natural
vtlxitisrphy, physical edam. economic science (from the
on the Phenomena ollndustrial Life), or any other
useful subject.
"9. That no 'intern of general examination would be
complete which obit not give facilities fur an examination
in religious knowledge.
" 10. That the experience of many of the prize schemes
demonstrates that such religions examination may, with
entire satisfaction to all parties, include candidates both
from church schools and from schools connected with the
other religions denumanstions, or schools unconnected with
either r_ two seta of questions being drawn up by her
Majesty's Inspector of Church Schools and her Majeny's
Inspector of British Schools, or by the committee repre-
senting both kinds of schools ; one set of questions being
upon the church catechism and the other set upon Holy
Scripture, the children from 'schools other than chum
schools being invited to answer the latter only.
" 11. That this association is of opinion that • system
of general examination, such as has been herein described,
would, by appealing to the love of emulation and the love
of distinction of the labouring classes—principles as com-
mon to them as to any other class of the community—
stimulate the children to greater efforts while at school,
prolong the whoulage, and augment the numbers attending
schooL"

la the discuasion which followed Mr. Tremenhaere's ad-
dreve, llr. Tufnell, Mr. H. Chester, Mr. Tilleard, and other
gentlemen exprened their general concurrence in the views
therein espreseed, and ultimately the following remotion
Wu adopted unanimmudy :—" That this smosinelms, laving
heard Mr. Tremenheere's Matemem is seplinalion of his
proposed plea for the examination of all children leaving the
day school finally, comiders the plan as a whole both &-
likable sad practicable, and recommends it. adoption to the
promoters and teachers of schools."
Other resolutions for carrying oat the object were also
for his
agreed to, and thanks were voted to Mr. Tremealasens
address.

CRTIITAL PALACR—H.M.r-ClowN DAY. --SATUIL-
hur, Karim 17.—AuWiwi.= on payment, 1,193 ; ditto by
imam tied., 3,149; tow visitors, 047.