The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-06
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EDUCATION IN SWEDEN is almost universal, thanks
20 thorough legislation upon the subject. General
e. q. Andrews, our Minister. at Stockholm, has re-
Gently forwarded 10 the State Department at Wash
iDgton full reports upon the Swedish educational
system. From these, it appears that the number of
children in Sweden, in 1863, between and Is years.
was e79,12S, OF whom 526,646 we're attending the
'Folk" schools SCHOOLS for the lower classes) and
14l 541 we're attending other schools or being in
structod at home. 1t follows her refore, that 81 out
Of every 100 children were receiving Instructions
percentage which is probably not exceeded by any
other nation, and which the most enlightened OF the
United States of America may look upon
with envy. Several causes have contributed
to the more than ordinary diffusion OF literary
knowledge among the masses OF Sweden. From
the earliest PERIOD the peasaury constituted one OF
the four estates chambers OF the highest egisla-
tive assemby-the Diet The masses enjoyed much
liberty, and took part in politics On the establish
ment Of the Lutheran Church three centuries ago,
the rite Of confirmation and a knowledge of the
catechsm were made obligatory. For many years
back there has hardly been Swede, therefore, who
could not at least read. peasant from Scania,
Nils Manson, had the honor OF introducing the first
bill for the establishment OF popular sys-
TEN Of education into the Swedish Diet in
1928. Hundreds Of school-houses are annu-
ally erected in 1861 400 new ones were finished.
Modern Improvements, such arrangements
for drawing the foul air from near the base of the
room, and heating with hot water or steam, are
generally introduced in new schoo-houses. School
libraries are established by law; there are 1900 in
Sweden. Compulsory attendance may be carried
to the separation Of children from parents but his
has been resOrted to in but few instan ces, where
poverty of the parent rendered it necessary the
irish to support the child. There growing SEN
timent in favor OF enforcing universal attendance
though perhaps not extending to the separation OF
parent and child.
If school-house accommodations are insuflcient,
pupils are equally divided and each half attend al
terDately two three successive days. In the
country boys and girls attend the same school, but
in large towns separate schools provided. In
structiOn in folk schools is practically gratuitous
Movable schools for those parishes deficient in
means or population is a feature OF the Swedish
school system. In 1867 there were 2l17 fixed and
1906 "ambulatoTy schools In 1867 there were 1865
male and 260 female teachers. The average num-
ber OF pupils to a teacher is about 20. Beside the
Folk schools there is the Sma Skoa" small or pri-
mary schools) and the 'Hogre Folk Skola" Qoks
higher schools). In 1867 there were 9249 Sma Skoa
with 151, ,52G pupils. There are but 10 of the Foil s
higher schools. There are two agricultural inst.-
tutes and 23 agricultural schools that receive some
aid from the Government. There is an institute and
six schools for instruction in maintaining and stock
ing forests. There are also several trade and scien-
tidc schools Other two ancient and famous uni
versties, Upsala and Lund, the form is the larger
and has 100 professors and tutors and 80 students
increase OF 1879 over the year 1869. Tals univer-
sity had its beginning IA h. year 125c.