66 W. ... Walkerton .... S.......... .... voted daily to the subject of education by the Principal, may be COUNTY OR RIDING. N...... Norfolk....... 3. Reading and Elocution.-As many candidates for certifi- Haldimand cates pronounce and read very badly, considerable attention Welland should be paid to these subjects in the Model Schools. Though Lincoln... the Principal cannot be expected to effect a very great improve- Wentworth ment in the candidates, during the short time at his disposal, Halton it is hoped that he may do good by giving valuable hints, by Peel........ directing attention to defects, and by instilling correct funda- York..... mental notions on elocution. N........ Mount Forest Caledonia Welland ....... ...... Newmarket Barrie .... Bradford Whitby... 4. Mental Arithmetic. It is likewise considered advisable Simcoe, N that the teachers-in-training should have some practice in this S.... subject, on account of its value as a preparation for teaching Ontario... arithmetic. Durham.. 5. The School Law and Regulations.-A few lectures should be Victoria......................... given on those parts of the School Law and Regulations which Northumberland.... Cobourg relate to the duties of teachers. Attention should be particu- Peterborough larly directed to those points of which a knowledge is likely to prove of immediate practical value to beginners. 6. Hygiene. A few lectures on this subject should be given, in order that attention may be directed to the importance of ventilation, cleanliness, etc., as bearing upon the health and comfort of a school. ....... Peterborough Prince Edward.... Picton ............. Belleville be subjected to oral and written examination at the end Education Department, of the session by the County Board of Examiners, who shall, upon a conjunct view of the Principal's report and the results of their examinations, decide to whom certificates shall be awarded. No candidate who habitually speaks ungrammati- REGULATIONS RESPECTING THE PROGRAMME OR COURSE OF cally, or mispronounces ordinary words, or is extremely defective in any important subject, or is slovenly in his dress, or illmannered, or is devoid of aptitude for teaching, or is unqualified for any other reason, should receive a certificate. STUDY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 1. On and after the 15th day of August, 1877, the Programme, or Course of Study, shall be according to the annexed Table, as far as the circumstances of the particular School will allow the same to be followed. But where these circumstances SCHEDULE A, BEING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE RESPECTIVE require it, such modifications of the Programme are permitted PLACES MENTIONED WHICH ARE PROPOSED AS COUNTY as thereupon become necessary. It will be the duty, however, MODEL SCHOOLS FOR THE RESPECTIVE COUNTIES OR of the Inspector to see that no departures from the Programme RIDINGS MENTIONED IN COLUMN No. 1, AND WHICH ARE are made without sufficient cause. TO BE TEMPORARILY USED AS COUNTY MODEL SCHOOLS, AS MENTIONED IN THE FOREGOING REGULATIONS. 2. No "Time" or "Limit Table is prescribed or shall be in force except in so far as the Trustees or School Board and the Teacher may choose to regulate this. 3. The instructions to Teachers and Inspectors, which are also hereto annexed, shall accompany the Programme, in order that the suggestions of the Central Committee, contained in these instructions may, as far as possible, be given effect to, and they are also to be read as explanatory of the use which the Programme is intended to serve in the Public Schools. 4. With respect to Religious Instruction, Trustees and Teachers are referred to the special provisions contained in the General Regulations of 1874. The Programme.-The Programme has been constructed with reference to thoroughly Reading.-The First Part of the First Book shall be taught from Tablet Lessons. Reading Great Arithmetic.-Accuracy and expertness in performing elementary operations are of the first Object Lessons.-An object lesson is intended to develope the faculties rather than to Grammar.-Grammar in the Third Class should be taught without a text-book. The Composition. Nearly every school exercise, whether oral or written, may be made an exercise in Composition. The teacher should use especial care in requiring good English from his pupils in their answers in class or at examinations. History. No text-book in Canadian History need be used by the pupils. The Teacher should, from his own knowledge of the subject, obtained by the study of the best histories But upon obtaining from Mr. Langtry personally a more definite expression, I found that this Regulation would not accomplish what was sought by the Committee. within his reach, deliver his instructions orally. He should give give religious instructions to the pupils of their own church, in each prominence, according to the stage of advancement of his pupils, school-house, at least once a week, after the hour of four o'clock in to the political and civil constitution of the Dominion, and of the the afternoon; and if the clergy of more than one persuasion apply Province of Ontario. In the Fourth Class, the pupils are expected to give religious instruction in the same school-house, the trustees to learn the most important facts in English History, to understand shall decide on what day of the week the school-house shall be at clearly what each one of them was, and know why it is considered the disposal of the clergyman of each persuasion, at the time above important. No details are to be learnt except those which have a stated. But it shall be lawful for the trustees and clergyman of any bearing on such facts. For instance, as the great fact in the history denomination to agree upon any hour of the day at which a clergyof the sixteenth century is the struggle between King and Parlia- man, or his authorized representative, may give religious instruction ment, it is not necessary to pay much attention, in this class to to the pupils of his own church, provided it be not during the reguthe reign of James I., or any to such events as the Great Plague, lar hours of the school. the Great Fire in London, or the Massacre of Glencoe. Very little time should be spent on the period before the Norman Conquest; and the dates committed to memory should be few and important. The same principles should govern the Teacher in dealing with By Religious Instruction, the Committee meant instruction of a European History in the Fifth Class, and with the Stuart period in denominational character, involving necessarily religious catechisms, the Sixth. He should always remember that a comprehension of formularies, or views distinctive of particular denominations; and leading facts and general principles is more valuable than the most although under Regulation, No. IV., this kind of instruction is peraccurate knowledge of details, if unaccompanied by ability to dis-mitted after the regular hour for closing the school, and accommotinguish what is important from what is not. dation in the school is provided for the purpose, the Committee's proposition was that the religious instruction of this denominational nature should become, and be part of the regular school exercises, within ordinary school hours, that it should be carried out punctually by the clergymen of each denomination instructing in the school, while the other exercises were going on, such of the pupils whose parents belonged to that denomination-and these pupils would to that extent be thus withdrawn from the regular classes of instruction in the school. Throughout the course, the Teacher should bear in mind the interesting and valuable lessons that may be deduced from the lives of the men and women who have played a prominent part in history. Hygiene. By reference to the Programme, it will be observed that Hygiene, or the science of the laws of Health, is to be taught, not from text-books but by familiar lectures. All the pupils in the 4th, 5th and 6th classes, should be made to listen to the lectures on this subject. I explained to the deputation that as I construed the law, this Morals.-No text-book in Christian Morals, nor any specific Department had no authority to pass such a regulation, and that instructions in that subject, have been prescribed. The Teacher, although jurisdiction was conferred by the School Act of 1874, (see however, will grievously fail in his duty unless the whole tenor and section 142) upon the Department to frame general regulations so tone of his instructions in the school-room, and his deportment as to allow of pupils receiving such religious instruction as their generally, be not only consistent with the ordinary proprieties of parents might desire, the letter and spirit of the Act were against life, but also characterized by a high moral tone. To his pupils he the Department's assuming to introduce religious instruction of a sets a standard of conduct; they insensibly learn his ways of speak-denominational character, as one of the ordinary exercises of the ing and acting; and any carelessness on his part may do lasting school, and as such to be imperatively enforced-that the Act made injury to their plastic minds. His business being to form their the parent and not the Department, or the School Board, or Truscharacters as well as to develop their moral faculties, he should tees, the judge upon the question-that the Department could only habitually strive to make and to improve opportunities of stamping properly recommend religious exercises for use in the schools by good and deep impressions upon them. MEMORANDUM ON THE SUBJECT OF RELIGIOUS IN- the trustees and master, with the approval of the parents; and that, so far as the clergy sought opportunity for availing themselves of the Fourth Regulation, the School Boards and Trustees, as the managers of their schools under the law, were the proper bodies to apply to, and not this Department. My interpretation also of any religious instruction contemplated A deputation from a Special Committee of the Synod of the Dio- by the Act was against its being of any distinctive denominational cese of Toronto met me on the 16th inst., on the subject of Religi- character, and that in this the position of our Public Schools was ous Instruction in Public Schools. I explained to the deputation my similar to elementary schools under School Boards in England, views of the Law and Regulations upon the subject, but its import- under the 14th Section of the Act of 1870, which expressly provides ance in connection with what was sought by the Reverend Mr."no religious catechism or religious formularies which are distincLangtry in our personal interview, as well as in his letter to me of tive of any particular denomination, shall be taught in the school." the 14th inst., requires that I should give a formal statement of the position of this Department, and of School Boards and Trustees under the Law and Regulations which govern us. The question raised by this Committee is expressed in the Rev. Mr. Langtry's letter, to be as follows: "Our Committee desire to confer with you as to the possibility of making it a matter of regulation, that the clergy of any persuasion should have the right, provided accommodation can be provided, of giving religious instruction in the schools during one hour in the week." Under this Section, the School Board for London have passed the following resolutions with reference to religious instructions, prayers, and hymns, in schools provided by them : "1. That in the Schools provided by the Board, the Bible shall be read, and there shall be given such explanation and such instructions therefrom in the principles of morality and religion as are suited to the capacities of children; provided always (a) that in such explanations and instructions the provisions of the Act in sections and 14 be strictly observed, both in letter and in spirit, and that no attempt be made in any such schools to attach children lar school, the Board shall consider and determine upon any application by managers, parents, or ratepayers of the district, who may show special cause for exemption of the school from the operation of this resolution, in whole or in part. The general regulations for the Public Schools which are now in force, were the result of years of experience, and were carefully to any particular denomination; (b) that in regard to any particuconsidered and adopted by the late Council of Public Instruction, newly constituted under the Act of 1874, and the Regulations on the subject of Religious Exercises and Religious Instruction are, especially, framed with great practical wisdom. When all the difficulties which attend the religious question in a free, and non-denominational system of popular education, are understood, I doubt whether it was possible to have formed regulations which could have more successfully overcome these difficulties. These regulations provide for what is literally asked for by the Committee, as expressed in the Rev. Mr. Langtry's letter, as will be seen from Regulations, No. IV., the text of which is as follows: IV.-WEEKLY RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION BY THE CLERGY OF EACH "2. That such explanations and instructions as are recognised by the foregoing resolution shall be given by the responsible teachers of the school. "3. That in accordance with the general practice of existing elementary schools, provision may be made for offering prayer and using hymns in schools provided by the Board at the time or times' when, according to section 7, sub-section 2, of the Elementary Education Act, 'religious observances' may be practised.' 4. That the arrangements for such 'religious observances' be left to the discretion of the teacher and managers of each school, with the right of appeal to the Board by teachers, managers, pa1. In order to correct misapprehension, and define more closely rents, or ratepayers of the district; provided always that, in the the rights and duties of trustees and other parties in regard to reli- offering of any prayers and of the use of any hymns, the provisions gious instruction in connection with the Public Schools, it is decided of the Act in sections 7 and 14 be strictly observed, both in letter by the Council of Public Instruction that the clergy of any persua- and in spirit, and that no attempt be made to attach children to sion, or their authorized representatives, shall have the right to any particular denomination. "5. That during the time of religious teaching or religious ob- The law and regulations recognise the master's position to be servance, any children withdrawn from such teaching or observance that of a public officer, and hence it is his duty by legitimate and shall receive separate instruction in secular subjects. proper means to discharge the functions of his office satisfac"6. That a copy of sections 7 and 14 of the Elementary Educa- torily. For this purpose he must be permitted to exercise all the tion Act, 1870, and also of the regulations 1, 2, 3, and 4, must be hung up in a conspicuous part of the school-room. 7. That a syllabus of subjects of Bible instruction for one month in advance must be prepared by the teacher and forwarded to the Clerk of the Board at the beginning of each month." The late Council of Public Instruction construed the provisions of the Ontario Act in the same way, and embodied their view in the third Regulation of 1874, which is as follows:: necessary authority, and to vindicate it when required, by such measure of punishment or means as a prudent and judicious teacher would think best in the particular circumstances. Without prescribing any details in this respect, the regulations leave the authority of the master paramount, except in a case of suspension, where they define the circumstances which may warrant this, and the single case in which expulsion can be ordered. a When I stated in my former memorandum that the teacher would not appear to have any authority to coerce a pupil into telling upon III.—OPENING AND CLOSING RELIGIOUS EXERCISES OF EACH DAY. fellow-pupil, my remark was germane to the point before me, and directed to the remedy there applied of expulsion, which was unauWith a view to secure the Divine blessing, and to impress on the thorized. If I had anticipated that there was room for misapprepupils the importance of religious duties, and their entire depend-hension upon the general question as to the authority of a master ence on their Maker, the Council of Public Instruction recommends over a pupil, I would have explicitly stated that coercion by expulthat the daily exercises of each Public School be opened and closed sion was not warranted by the regulations in a case where one by reading a portion of Scripture, and by prayer. The Lord's pupil refused to tell upon another. I was not called upon to conPrayer alone, or the Forms of Prayer hereto annexed, may be sider whether a refusal to tell was an offence or not, or punishable used, or any other prayer preferred by the Trustees and Master of or not. That question would manifestly rest with the teacher each school. But the Lord's Prayer shall form part of the opening within the limits of his authority, and is a question which I am not exercise, and the Ten Commandments be taught to all the pupils, called upon to determine, nor can I assume to define the details and be repeated at least once a week. But no pupil should be com-within which his authority can be properly or lawfully exercised. pelled to be present at these exercises against the wish of his parent At the same time it is my duty to hold that there has been an exor guardian, expressed in writing to the Master of the school. cess of authority on the part of the teacher where such is the case, Here follow FORMS OF PRAYER. having regard to the law and regulations. When called upon to do this, it is permitted to me also to express any opinion with reference to a proceeding the tendency of which would be to deteriorate in any way our Public Schools. (Signed) It will be seen from the foregoing that the same principle prevails both here and in England (as to Branch Schools) with respect to the extent in which religious instruction and exercises may form part of the ordinary work of a Public School, and then to be given only by the responsible teacher of the school. Education Department, (Signed) ADAM CROOKS, DISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS. Memorandum by the Minister of Education in reference to the case of Section No. 2, Percy. Education Department (Ontario), ADAM CROOKS, Minister of Education. REGULATIONS RESPECTING AUTHORIZED TEXT 1877. A misapprehension evidently exists as to the true scope of the decision pronounced by me on the 26th April last, on the subject of Approved by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, 22nd June, an appeal by the Trustees of this school from the Inspector, who held that under the circumstances of the case the expulsion of a pupil was not authorized under the regulations in that behalf. 1. On and after the 1st day of September, 1877, the several books set forth in the accompanying Schedule shall be the only authorized Text Books for use in the High Schools and Collegiate Institutes in the respective subjects mentioned. The letter of the Secretary of the Trustees to the Globe, with a copy of my decision, did not question the correctness of my conclusion in confirming the decision of the Inspector on the only point involved in the appeal, but raised a new and collateral issue on my 2. Where there is more than one book authorized on any statement that the discipline of the school can be maintained without encouraging a practice which would degrade the pupils in the subject, the High School Boards may make their selection. estimation of each other, and so lower the general tone of the 3. No particular editions of the Text Books are prescribed, school. This expression was an obiter dictum tendered by way of but such editions as the following will be found generally advice to trustees whose teacher had thought fit to resort to the ex-suitable, Catena Classicorum, White's Grammar School Texts, treme measure of punishment by expulsion in a matter of ordinary Longmans', Rivington's and Collins's series of English Classics; discipline in a case where one pupil was not prepared to disclose also the London series of French Classics (Longmans'), White's Latin Dictionaries, Dr. Smith's do. upon another. The case before me presented the sole question whether, for an offence of this kind, the penalty of expulsion, attended as it must be with grave and serious consequences, was authorized by the regulations. ADAM CROOKS, Minister of Education. SCHEDULE. The regulations now in force were carefully revised by the late lations under the Act, the Council had to consider that by law all Collegiate Institutes. I.-ENGLISH. The Fifth Reader, Canadian National series (authorized edition). The Spelling Book, a Companion to the Readers. History of English Literature, by W. Spalding, M.A. Fleming's Analysis of the English Language. |