New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-12
EDUCATION BILL EXPLAINED
SIR JOHN GORsTs SPEECH IN THE HOUSE
. OF COMMONS.
HIS ARGUMENT on THE NEED OF REFORM IN
ENGLISH SCHOOL, METHoDs-THE MEASURE
BITTERLY OPPOSED. But THOtGHI
TO BE CERTAIN OF PASSAGE.

TO DE CERTAIN OF PASSAGE.
London April lin introducing the Euuca''o'
bin in the House of Commons Sir Johh 1ofs'' veg
president of the Committee Of Council on Education
made an admirably distinct and lucid speech lie
first stated what may be called the case for legsla-
ton as regards both elementary and secohuar!
schools and then explained the particular remedies
which the Government PROPOSED In dealing frst OIL
ali with the deficiencies in the elementary school
system 1t was noticeable that he rather laid stress
on the weaknesses OF some OF the smaller schoos
boards than on the financial needs OK voluntary
schools With regard to the latter. his main argu-
meDts in favor Of their continued existence were:
First that they Introduced a valuable variety into
system OF education which would otherwise tend TO
become too uniform; and secondly that the cost oil
abolishing them would be prohibitNe. Both Voiun-
tary and board schools he conended. had been sub
jcctej to financial strain during the last few
years mainly owing the rise in teachers salaries
In some dtstrjcts the school board rate had risen
20 enormous fgure-in West Ham TO %. Al. and In
the Forest OF Dean TO 2s sd in the pound. These
were urban districts: the difficulties In rural districts
were as great. II know ne said. there are some
people who say that education is thrown away upon
boys who have 10 spend their youth IN soaring
crows their manhood in field labor. and iheir old
age in the workhouse."
He then rapidly contraste1 the system Of rrra.
education In France and Denmark. which produces
farmers capable Of beating British farmers In their
own markets. with the results OF rural education In
the Eastern counties where about 20 per cent OF the
lads who have PASSED through school appear. few
years later to have forgotten everything they have
been taught He also amused the House not a little
by reading report OF some Of the proceedings Of
rural school boards IN various parts OF the country
and again contrasted the treatment OF the pupil
teacher with the careful system Of training teachers
in France and Germany.
Passing to secondary education. he grounded his
case for legislative interference almost entirely
on the report OF the Secondary Education Com
mission. He showed that Il too late to protest
against State interference. for already the State
through several departments OF the imperial and
local Government. did take active part In Sec
ondary education. Lastly. he said. there was the
Education Department Itself, which much needed
reform. II was grossly overcentralized: In one
year the officials OF the Department had 10 deal
with and examine no fewer than 32,S2?S2l Items OF
Information in the tabular reports OF the schools
sent IN TO them. The officials OF the Department
rad long Since overfowed the central Office and
branch OF thu Department was sui wandering IN
search OF home From such Indications as this
summary of the existing difficulties suggested.
MEMBER we're able TO form an impression o! the
probable scope Of the bill.