No. 2.-GENERAL REPORT for the period of fifteen months ended Appendix D. 31st March, 1874, upon SCHOOLS INSPECTED, and TEACHERS, Head &c., EXAMINED, by JAMES PATTERSON, Esq., Head Inspector. Dublin, May, 1874. Inspectors' Mr. GENTLEMEN,-The Districts composing the groups, of which I have the superintendence, are the same to which my last Annual Report related, Patterson. At Athy, Kilkenny, and Enniscorthy there are District Model Schools: at Inchicore, in the Dublin District, there is a Minor Model School. I furnish separate Reports on these, and do not allude to them again in this report. From Between the 1st January, 1873, and the 31st March, 1874, I inspected, fully or partially, 261 day schools and 2 evening schools. 25 of these I visited and reported on a second time, making 288 reports in all. the time I took charge of this group of districts (the 19th February, 1872,) up to the 31st March, 1874, I reported on 379 distinct schools (not including the Model schools,) thus distributed :- Eleven of these were convent schools, and two workhouse schools. The "incidental" reports differed from the "primary" in not giving details of the proficiency of the classes. In general, however, the visits on which I thus reported were inspections in the full sense of the term, occupying often many hours, that is in cases where I found occasion to scrutinize the accounts very closely, or to inquire particularly into the state of the school; but when there was no special necessity to bring the state of instruction under the notice of the Board, the simpler form of report was used. In examining the classes I followed the plan prescribed for "results inspection," comparing the results that came under my notice with those Appendix D. reported at successive visits by the District Inspectors, thus ascertaining Head whether the schools were advancing in effectiveness or not. I am happy Inspectors' to say that, in general, progress was found to be gradual, though often General Reports. Mr. only slow. The stimulus of results fees, aided by the systematizing of the programme and the making it imperative, has brought this about, that teachers, knowing what is expected of them, and that they will be paid Patterson. in some degree proportionately to their accomplishing it, labour more intelligently and earnestly, with more system and industry, than was often the case heretofore. Unhappily not a few have failed to conform to the regulations of the Commissioners for reckoning the attendances of the pupils whom it is permissible, on the score of attendances, to present for examination; and this, in several cases that have come under my notice, obviously with the object of claiming results fees that were not due under the strict letter of the rule. Doubtless in most cases the teachers convinced themselves that, having taught the pupils what they knew, they might fairly claim the fees that would accrue had those pupils made a few more attendances in the year than they actually did make, forgetting that the Parliamentary grant being limited, they defrauded their conscientious brethren who strictly followed the rule for computing the attendances of every penny they themselves received over and above what the strict rule entitled them to. The Commissioners have felt obliged to take very stern measures to check this tampering with the accounts, heavily fining some teachers, withdrawing supplemental salaries from others who had earned it by long efficient service, and striking others off the roll of National school teachers. The necessity for this is very lamentable, and, in the majority of instances, might have been obviated by an intelligent and earnest supervision of the accounts by the local managers of the Board. It is to be hoped that managers, being now aware of the temptation to falsify their accounts to which teachers are subjected, and of the tendency of many, when left to themselves, to yield to it, will henceforward exercise this important function of school management more invariably than they have hitherto done. In the character of the school-houses throughout the country there is gradual improvement. Hovels that were formerly looked on in many parts as good enough for schools for the children of cottiers have lost credit, and neater, more commodious, and more comfortable houses are taking their place. Very much, to be sure, remains to be done in this direction, and might be done with the aid for building offered by the Commissioners. Next to good houses, good fires in the winter time are the most efficient material means for ensuring good attendance of children at school. This is a point overlooked by many managers and teachers. Not unfrequently in the cold weather I have found in a school-house, presenting at first view a most promising appearance, a mere handful of children from an abundant population. The explanation generally was "scarlatina," "measles," "fever," or more vaguely, "sickness;" but the reason was soon discovered to be broken windows, damp floor, currents of cold air across the feet, and no fire. I believe managers have an inexpensive remedy for this state of things in their own hands. In very few schools that I visit do the parents of the pupils pay anything like what they ought to pay for the education and care of their children, and would pay if the matter were properly presented to them by a person so influential as the manager of the school usually is. The apprehension, or rather the fear, that the exaction of school fees in aid of the teacher's salary, and for the repair of the house and supply of fuel, when there is no wealthy local patron to provide it, would deter the people from sending their children to school, is ill-founded. In many localities even poor people do contribute to these objects. A small sum from each family able to Appendix D. contribute is all that is needed; but at present many, who are well able, Head give nothing because it is not demanded of them. If I have urged this Inspectors' point in successive annual reports it is because every year I see more and General Reports. more the importance of it, and the evil results of neglecting it: that I see school fees paid in increasing amounts in some localities without grudging, and greatly to the benefit of the schools; while in others, Patterson. equally wealthy, no effort is made to excite so much interest in the education of their children, as would be indicated by the parents contributing reasonably to the support of the school in which they are to receive it. The number of useful teachers who leave their situations in this group of districts is not large. Of course every year some die or retire. If the schools thus left vacant offer fair means of support, which they usually do, an eligible candidate for appointment to the place is soon found; either the teacher of a small or less populated school, or an assistant-teacher, or a passed monitor who has obtained classification. But when schools which have little or no local support fall vacant, or when assistant-teachers, who have no share in the school fees, resign, it is difficult to find applicants for the vacant situations. Owing to this difficulty of finding assistant-masters (there is no difficulty in finding mistresses), many large schools are only half worked; the amount of instruction given in them being not more than half what it might be, and the results fees proportionately small. The remedy is to offer a sufficient share of the school pence to the assistant, and to accept, as assistants, young men who have been trained in Model schools, who would be well qualified, and would require fair payment for their services. Examination of Teachers, &c.-The revised regulations for the classification of teachers and monitors having come into operation this year, rendering it unnecessary to summon to examination candidates for promotion from the lower division of a class to the higher division of the same class, the number of teachers presenting themselves for examination was necessarily less than in former years; but the promotions were more numerous, many teachers being promoted for their efficiency in school who might have failed to pass the examination. The following tables show the numbers presenting themselves, and the results of their examination : Mr. 124 37 38 39 40 41 43 44 46 47 All first-class monitors, and second-class monitors who, on the 1st of January, 1873, had completed three years of training as monitors, were summoned to examination with the teachers, with a view to their classification as teachers at the end of their term. The following tables show the numbers that attended, and the results of the examination : 46 47 DISTRICT. Numbers examined. Results of Examination. 1st 2nd Classed as Not Total Class. Class. Teachers. elassed. 17 21 Thus it appears that (leaving out of account the Model schools) the monitorial system in these ten districts produced 112 qualified teachers in the year 1873, the great majority of these being females, and most of them trained in Convent schools. The 13 young men make an average of little over one for each district; the 99 young women an average of nearly ten. If the figures could be reversed, so that there should be an annual crop of about ten new male teachers and one new female, the annual vacancies would be nearly supplied; but under the actual conditions, there are always many schools wanting qualified masters, and many qualified mistresses wanting situations. Modifications of the Results Inspection programme, of the regulations for the classification of teachers, and of the list of extra subjects of instruction sanctioned by the Board, have now been resolved on. These may be expected to influence considerably the course of education in Appendix D. I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, General Mr. Patterson. The Secretaries, &c. No. 3.-GENERAL REPORT for the year ended 31st March, 1874, upon SCHOOLS INSPECTED, and TEACHERS, &c., EXAMINED, by JOHN MOLLOY, Esq., Head Inspector. Galway, April, 1874. GENTLEMEN,-I beg to forward my general report for the year 1873-4. The ten districts numbered 20, 26, 32, 34, 35, 36, 42, 45, 51 and 52, including the greater part of the province of Connaught, with portions of Leinster and Munster, comprise my circuit. There are on the rolls 1,112 schools, 54 of which are inoperative or building cases, &c.-thus leaving 1,058 in operation. During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1874, I travelled 6,227 miles, and slept 173 nights from home. My time was distributed thus: (a.) 125 days inspecting ordinary and model schools, holding inquiries, &c. " " (c.) 133 including Saturdays at office work, drawing up questions, Sundays and holidays. (d.) 11 57 " 2 private business. Mr. John I visited 173 ordinary schools during the year. In two I assisted at the examination for results; to 89 I paid incidental visits, and inspected 82 fully and most minutely. There were present 4,088 pupils, or an average per school of 49.8, while the total average daily attendance was 4,391-average per school 53.6. The discrepancy may be fairly accounted for by the fact that several schools were unavoidably visited when the attendance was thinnest; a large number of the children being employed at field labour; and it should also be borne in mind that my visits were, in almost every case wholly unexpected. Before referring briefly to the proficiency of the pupils examined, I beg to remark that the new system of examination for results appears to be exercising a most beneficial influence on the junior portion of the pupils as to progress, and on all the pupils as to regularity of attendance. Heretofore it was unfortunately too common to find 50 per cent., if not more, of all pupils in attendance in first class, and several children during the entire of their school life never advanced beyond the second class. Under existing arrangements those who have earned fees for their teachers must be promoted; and it is not at all unusual, even thus early to find comparatively young children advancing rapidly to the upper classes. There is also a decided improvement in punctuality and regularity of attendance. The teachers, feeling the necessity for both, in order that by having the pupils as long as possible under instruction they |