Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1904-09-08


Fol subject Of an interesting re-
port ~ United States Deputy Consul
Meyer at Chemnitz. This is the first
OF series OF consular reports oil
specialized educational facilities which
have contributed so largely to the
phenomenal success OF the German
Empire in manufactures and COM
mcrce.
At the base CT the German educa-
tional cdiilce lie The volksschulen, or
colclon schools. Attendance at the
Volksschule is compulsory between the
ages OF six or seven and fourteen.
When the young student reaches his
tenth year. q very Important age has
Dcen attained from the point OF view
OF education. At this age his parents
rlust decide upon the general form OF
education which they desire their off,
spring 10 receive. Their means and
position in lie will largely determine
the decision as to whether ii will be
merely primary education Tin the
NoiIsschule). a secondary education lin
the Hohere Schule). or higher educa-
tioa Tin the Uochschule). IL a primary
education is decided upon the child
continues IL the Volksschule. II
secondary education, or perchance. a
higher education, is to be given, then
tie tenth year marks the time when
the child leaves the volksschule and
enters some secondary institution.
such as a gymnasium. realgymnasi SUM,
CT ober-realschule; or a progymnasium.
reaI-proGymnasium. or realschule; or a
trade or technical school of secondary
rank; or private institution which has
been ranked by the state as a second
airy school. The secondary schools
oner courses of either nine or six
years.
While the child is pursuing his
course in the secondary school. another
decision must be made which involves
not only the means Of the parents. but
also the natural aptitudes and abilities
of the child. IL the means are limited
then very likely a course i'm a second
airy school with six years course
will be pursued by the CHILD after the
attainment Of the tenth year. or prob
ably course in trade school or Sec
ondary technical school. in preparation
Tor some profession ia middle life, such
as that Of artisan, skilled textile
worker. or lower engineer or mechanic
IL suhcient means are at hand. then
the son will be prepared for higher
education, which will be either classi-
cal tgymnasium). leading to some
higher profession, like theology. medi.
cine or law; or semi-classical real.
gymnasium. also leading to some
higher professions; or non-cIassicaI
(ober-realschule). in preparation for
business career, for a course at some
industrial high school. or, less fire.
quently. for medicine or law.
The age Of fourteen, the year at
which the Volksschule is. as n rule.
completed. marks another turning
point in the educational career of the
c-,iid. The boy may enter either
general continuation school (allgemeine
fortbildungsschule) in which are re-
peated and expanded some Of the most
necessary studies OF the Volksschule,
or he may enter one Of the two classes
OF industrial continuation schools-a
general industrial continuation school
tgewerbliche Fortbildungsschule) or n
commercial continuation school ,kauf-
mannische Fortbildungsschule).
German, drawing and arithmetic are
the three great branches taught in the
continuation schools, though more ad-
vsnced work in geometry. physics and
chemistry Is given in n few of the best
schools. To these studies must be
added instruction in such subjects as
possess a particular value to a local
industry ~ industries. The CONNER
cial continuation schools distinguish
themselves from the general industrial
continuation schools I'm that they en-
phasize the commercial studies-yiz..
correspondence. bookkeeping, lang
uages. commercial arithmetic. CONNER
cial Biography and Office work.
It Is important to note that the child
hrst comes In contact with the system
OF industrial education after gradua-
ton from the volksschuIe. In some
states IL Is permissible to substitute n
special trade school (gewerbliche Each
schule) for a continuation school, par
ticularly for persons preparing for a
profession. Furthermore. primary
commercial school. n primary textile
school, or school for mechanics or for
locksmiths. etc. may be substituted
for the continuation school. As a rule.
however. these special trade schools,
even IL elementary. require the compile
ton Of some continuation school for
admission. TO insure proper maturity
OF mind in the study Of a profession.
Here, then, II the end of the edu-
cationai career of q child destined for
nothing more than a primary educa-
ton. The voIksschule course. plus q
compulsory. or rarely optional. continu-
alton school course, OF. in substitution.
some Industrial continuation or trade
school course. IL the sum total of q
primary education in Germany. which
10 completed at the age Of fifteen, six
teen, or at times seventeen years.
Ne O1d&u Msvox