, 1865-05-05

tendance have, also in the past twelve months,
been great and absolute hindrances to the pros
perity of the schools generally, and more partl-
cular in some, where these evils most prevail.
In one school unfaithfulneSs or careleSSnesS of
the teacher was increasing the evil, and caused
the removal of the teacher but generally
speaking, the teachers have exerted themselves
according to their ability, and have enected all
that under existing circumstances can De ex~
peCted. The health of the teachers has So1er-
ed reDeatedly The teacher at Diamond,
though recovered from his severe sickness OF
last wear has sometimes been laid up, and Of
taner be has been ailing. so as to find his task
too hard for him. Also the teachers at Mt,
Victory and Two Williams have been repeated
w sick, in consequence of thepoor condition o.
their dwellings, which did not keep out the rain.
The former has quite lately been provided with
anew house, bat the latter is yet complaining
bitterly.
The public examinations, which as usual took
place in Sept. were honoured by the presence of
His Excellency the Governor, who took a live
ly interest in the proceedings, to the great en-
couragement of the teachers and OF the children
and through the kindness and hberaIlty OF his
EXccllency, the inspector was again enabled 10
give presents to the most deserving chlldFen.
This report must not omit to mention the regu-
Ilt ttIclllunCt 10 iLC EXAMINATIONS VI wv 1NN'N'
ID. Water, chairman Of the hon. SChOol-C0mmIs-
sion, and of the Reyd. Wiliimoes, who both
showed a deep concern in the work of Negroe-
education. Taking into account former expe-
rience and looking into the future, we have no
hone of Greater success as long as the three
great wants, which hitherto have been absolute
hindranceS in our way, are not supplied; VIZ:
an addition of two new schools, an eXtentI0n OF
the schooltime, and a regular attendance. Sue
cess will always vary to q considerable extent,
according to the ability, strength and e1ertion
or faithfuinesS Of the teacher; but no QuaItl-
cation of the latter can make up Tor the above
mentioned wants, III particular tor Such an IRE
guiar attendance as We have to contend with,
and which is the greatest bane to any school.
As regards reading, past experience has Suttl-
cicnlIy shown, that the Phonetic system, be-
sides its intrinsic value, has been a great help to
effect as much as the annual examinations
have shown, viz: twice, and III some cases
three times as much as in former years under
the old rote system though at that time the
attendance save little cause for complaints, and
was in some schools perfect. Those teachers
are best able to Judge Of this, who have p%ractis-
ed both systems in our country schools, and are
not biased! The following extract from the
annual reports of the teachers whose experience
and good Judgment can not be called in queS-
ton, viii prove the above: In 1882, the hrSt
year after the phonetic system had been intro
duced, Mr.. J. Mcintosh reported 1.-The in
"crcaso in reading upon the last years is shown
go be, in th8 Testament: in 1879 readers
'fn 1925 readers. This l attribute, through
"the Lords gracious help, to the steady adhe-
"rence to the phonetic system, etc" Number
on the list 22l, attendance not very good.)
In 1858 Mr.. Knevels reported "After the
examination the phonetic system was general
ely introduced throughout the school Tive
GYMS, and the effect Of the system is evident
from the rapid progress the children have
"made since them (No. on the list 100, at
tendance eXcellent)
In 1858 Mr.. j. Bailey "a white englishman and
energetic t%eacher) reported as follows 81 be-
"lieye, with the introduction of the phonetic
"system into our schools a new era has dawned
"upon them, and if ever we are enabled to dis
"miss all children under our care as readers, it
"must be by means of that system. [ am be-
"ing convinced daily more and more of its ex-
"cellency, and of its great superiority over the
cold. Exercises preparatory to reading are no
''longer a d~rudgery to the children, but an easy
"and pleasant task. [ believe, with a faithful
application of this system we will be enabled
"t0 do wonderful things for our children I say
mwondarfnI thin0s when comnared tn what the