The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-09
THEFRENCHS CHOOLSYSTEM
The Past Twenty Years Have Witnessed
Much Improvement in Methods.
Opportunity for All, Not Only in Primary but
in Higher Branches-Compulsory Educa-
ton and Separation of the Sexes.

Special correspondence Of the sunday Journal.
PARIS. March 15-Even though there
were no other improvements it could show
the third republic has a%bundantly justified
its existence by the developments it has
effected in the educational system. Pub
lie education in France is divided into
three departments-primary, secondary
and higher-and each of these has expert
enced within twenty years an infusion of
new life, coupled with an extension of
Its boundaries. such as had not been
known in the preceding fifty years.
and which, under the old order
of things. might not have been
realized for half a century to come. Chief
amongst. these developments is that which
has made primary education compulsory.
and ut the same time absolutely free. An,
other is the rapid multiplication of tech
nical schools, which have increased at such
q rate under the new impulse given TO them
that the twenty-six which existed in 1879
had grown in 1883 to the number of four
hundred. with the most gratifying pro-
gress since that time. Then there was the
establishment in 1850 of public lycess for
girls. which the state heli to be necessary.
owing TO the fact that the training Of the
~omanhoOd OF the country had been here
tofore almost entirely in the hands of the
Catholic Church. This. it need hardly
be said, Is another reform which has pro-
duced crafty ing results; and finally there
has been witnessed in France. since the
republic was re--stablished q complete
severance, after q brave and prolonged
struggle, of the entire educational system.
both In its higher and lower grades, from
the domination and even from the inter-
ference of every form OF ecclesiasticism.
There Is no reason now why every one in
France hon not be educated, and why
the poorest may not aspire after the high
est educational privileges this enlightened
government Is holding out. Not only is
primary education gratuitoUs, but the
training offered in the university Is virtu-
ally so. and as TO the intermediary STAGES
aud the schooling offered TO those who
wish 10 perfect themselves In special
branches. this also is practically free to those
who cannot stford 70 a for IL. The lycees
and colleges. il is true. exact a small sum
for tuition and board. This is done that
those having the means may have the
privilege OF helping out the government In
the great burdens it has assumed In behalf
OF those not so we'll oil in the world. 1t
should Dc noted. too. that these institu.
lions. which are classed as the agencies of
secondary education. receive for paw pupils
who would otherwise be eli gible, owing to
their tender age. for free tuition In the
schools OF the primary department.. Those
who desire exclusiveness can have it at the
minimum OF cost. and what makes this
srrangement one which cannot be
objected TO by the poor. IL that the same
schools are open nc @ later period TO those
who pass with superior credit through the
free schools. This the government provides
for by a most generous ofier of scholarship,
and it speaks volumes in praise of both the
system and the pupils. that there have been
periods IN which the children of the work
lng people. those attending the state pri-
mary schools. have profited by this offer OF