ANNUAL REVIEW OF EDUCATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. INTRODUCTION. In this review no more than a mere outline of recent important educational events in foreign countries is attempted; where possible, the latest statistics are given. Wherever it has seemed essential to the complete understanding of events, a brief résumé of the preceding facts has been given. The official reports transmitted to the Bureau of Education have been consulted as far as possible, and, in addition, the following standard and reliable German publications: "Lüben's pädagogischer Jahresbericht," [Lüben's Annual Review of Pedagogics,] published annually at Leipsic. "Wolfram's allgemeine Chronik des Volksschulwesens," [Wolfram's General Chronicle of public instruction,] published annually at Hamburg. "Allgemeine Schulzeitung," [General School Journal,] published weekly at Darmstadt, one of the oldest German publications of the kind. I.-EUROPE. 1.-AUSTRIA. HISTORICAL REVIEW. In spite of innumerable difficulties, having their cause chiefly in the many different nationalities of the Austrian monarchy, and the reactionary tendencies of the clergy, education has progressed rapidly during the last year. The chief event of the year 1870 was the final abolition of the concordat with Rome, which had existed since 1855. This only refers to Austria proper, for in Hungary the concordat never became a law. This was the first step, and others have followed tending to a complete secularization of public instruction and its thorough reform. NEW SCHOOL LAW. The new school law has been sanctioned by the votes of nearly all the assemblies (landtage) of the different Austrian provinces, with the exception of Carniola, Illiria, Tyrol, and Gallicia. It was found that, in order to carry out this law, 1,100 teachers were wanting, and, to supply this want, several new teachers' seminaries have been founded. The ministry of public instruction has, July 19, 1870, published a very full course of instruction for these institutions, embracing religion, 1 to 2 hours; pedagogies, 2 to 3 hours; grammar, 4 to 5 hours; arithmetic, 1 to 2 hours; natural history, 2 to 3 hours; natural philosophy, 2 to 3 hours; geography, 2 hours; history, 2 hours; agriculture, 2 hours, penmanship, 2 hours; drawing, 2 hours; music, 2 hours; gymnastics, 2 hours. According to the new law of May 14, 1869, so-called supplementary courses for teachers, have been inaugurated. They are held during the vacation, and last from four to eight weeks, and instruction is given in all the branches taught in the teachers' seminaries. The expenditure for elementary education during the year 1870 amounted to 6,297,054 florins, (one florin = 50 cents.) Out of this sum, 178,887 florins were expended for the ministry of public instruction, and 367,824 florins for teachers' semi naries. GENERAL GERMAN TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION AT VIENNA. An important event of the year was the general German teachers' association, held in Vienna from the 7th till the 10th of June, 1870. It was attended by upwards of 5,000 teachers from all parts of Germany. Of the many important subjects discussed we mention a few: 1. The German national school. 3. The public school, a school for the formation of character. 4. Non-sectarian schools. 14. The aim of female education. This last-named subject gave rise to violent discussions. Dr. A. Meir, principal of a female seminary in Lubeck, the first speaker, dwelt forcibly on the following points: 1. Female education-such as it is at present, does not meet the requirements of our time. 2. The aim of female education is the preparation of women for their duties in the house and family. 3. At the same time women's education, to prepare them for earn ing an independent living, is not to be neglected. 4. The pernicious influences of modern society on the family are to be fought against with the utmost energy. Among the speakers was school-director Jansen, from Bremen. We quote the following from his speech: "As long as the world stands, as long as nature remains the same, the principle inust stand that man will remain a man, and woman a woman, much as modern emancipators will deny it. In no sense does woman stand lower than we, and in no sense do we stand lower than woman; both are to reach an equal height, but each in its own way. Away with the woman-man, who stands like a dwarf beside the woman; away, likewise, with the man-woman, who wishes to be and act, in every respect, like a man! We men do not wish to see in woman a poor imitation of man. No! We wish to see her in her own sphere as a high ideal, whose purifying and elevating influence is felt throughout our whole life." CITY SCHOOLS. As regards the city schools of Austria, much remains to be done. In Vienna, with about 750,000 inhabitants, there are 9 school districts with 78 communal elementary schools, and 36,384 scholars, who are instructed in 501 school-rooms by 510 teachers. There are on an average 70 scholars to each teacher, but there are also schoolswhere the number reaches 100. The salaries have, hitherto, been entirely inadequate, varying from 1,000 to 250 florins. The one year's volunteers of the Vienna garrison underwent the usual examination for officers' places, in November, and out of 124 only 18 passed the examination. BOHEMIA. In Bohemia a normal course was opened during the past year for young ladies who wish to teach in kingdergartens. CARINTHIA. Much has been done by private and communal munificence; thus, the little town of Villach, in Carinthia, with 4,000 inhabitants, erected a new higher burgher school with 8 classes; one citizen gave the lot, another the bricks; another again did the carpenter's, locksmith's, and other works, free of charge; and, finally, a sum of 25,000 florins was subscribed for the maintenance of the school. STYRIA. Styria, with a population of 1,056,773, in 1869, had 741 elementary schools, with 1,262 teachers, and 97,938 scholars, out of a school population of 111,550. A society at Graz has commenced to publish popular educational documents at a cheap price. Of the first of these, 5,000 copies were sold or distributed. HUNGARY. In Hungary (including Transylvania) the year 1870 has been distinguished by great activity among the teachers, by holding numerous meetings and spreading educational tracts. The zealous minister of public instruction, Eötvös, made great exertions to reform the whole system of public education. How necessary such a reform is will be seen from a simple fact. In the city of Szegedin, with 70,000 inhabitants, 48,000 could neither read nor write; and, on close examination, it was found that many who professed a knowledge of writing could, in reality, write nothing but their own name. The proportion in some of the rural districts is even worse. The Hungarian diet appropriated 725,000 florins for public instruction, viz, 320,000 florins for 6 seminaries for male teach ers, and 2 for female teachers: 15,000 for professors at these seminaries; 100,000 florins for agricultural courses; 50,000 florins for apparatus in the elementary schools; 100,000 florins for the support of communal schools; 50,000 florins for the elementary instruction of adults whose education had been neglected; 40,000 florins for a seminary for teachers in infant schools, &c. The most important meeting of the year was the first general Hungarian teachers' meeting, held in Pest, August 16-18, 1870, which was attended by about 2,500 teachers, almost exclusively Hungarians. The stenographic reporter of the meeting was a Hungarian lady, Mrs. Illesy. The whole subject of education was discussed; and of the various questions we mention a few: 1. The elementary schools and their influence on society in general: 2. On the instruction and education of criminals, &c. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION IN AUSTRIAN SEMINARIES FOR MALE TEACHERS. We append the course of instruction in the Austrian seminaries for male teachers, as prescribed by the law of July, 1870. 1. Religion: The extent of this study is regulated by the respective religious authorities, (Roman Catholic, Greek Church, Protestants, and Jews.) 2. Pedagogics: A thorough knowledge of man, as to body and mind; logic; bodily and mental faculties of children, and the best method of developing them; fundamental principles of education; historical development of elementary instruction in Austria: general history of pedagogics; principles of school discipline. 3. Language, (differing according to the different provinces:) Grammar; history of ⚫ literature; composition and speeches; method of instruction. 4. Mathematics: Arithmetic, elements of algebra, and geometry. 5. Natural History: The natural productions of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdom. 6. Natural Philosophy: Elements of chemistry, in as far as they are necessary for daily life and general industrial pursuits; knowledge of the most important branches of physics, (with experiments;) knowledge of the apparatus used, especially such as the teacher can easily manufacture himself. 7. Geography: Maps and globes; general, physical and political geography; ancient geography; special geography of Austria. 8. History: Greek and Roman history; general history; special history of Austria. 9. Agriculture: Raising and breeding of the most important domestic animals; pisciculture; cultivation of silk-worms and of bees; fertilizing; knowledge of soils; cultivation of the most important plants; agricultural implements. 10. Penmanship; 11, drawing; 12, music; 13, gymnastics. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION IN AUSTRIAN SEMINARIES FOR FEMALE TEACHERS. By the same law of July, 1870, a new course of instruction was prescribed for the seminaries for female teachers. Obligatory studies.-1, religion; 2, pedagogics; 3, languages, (differing according to the different provinces ;) 4, mathematics; 5, natural history; 6, natural philosophy; 7, geography; 8, history; 9, knowledge of house-keeping; 10, French; 11, penmanship; 12, free-hand drawing; 13, music; 14, gymnastics; 15, needle-work. Not obligatory.-1, the second language used in the province; 2, English; 3, organization and management of infant schools and kindergartens. SCHOOL STATISTICS OF AUSTRIA, EXCLUSIVE OF HUNGARY. Population, 18,224,500. Population of the whole monarchy, 32,573,003. I. PRIMARY INSTRUCTION. In public elementary schools, 34,951, (32,137 males, 2,814 females.) In private elementary schools, 3,588, (2,092 males, 1,496 females.) 3. Scholars : Number of children of school age, 2,219,917, (1,139,926 boys, 1,079,991 girls.) Number of students in teachers' seminaries, 2,322, (1,736 males, 586 females.) Number attending the industrial and Sunday schools, 624,117, (338,914 boys, 285,203 girls.) |