GENERAL PROVISIONS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

All matters pertaining to public instruction are confided to the Ministry of Public Welfare (Commerce, Education, and Public Works), together with the Royal Council of Public Instruction, a Board, as constituted by act of Oct. 9, 1866, of twenty-four members, appointed by the government from among the following persons: Ministers of State, Archbishops, Bishops, Councillors of State, Directors of Public Instruction who have previously been professors in a faculty, Magistrates and Officers of the Exchequer, Members of the Royal Academy (one each of these), retired Rectors of Universities, Professors in the same, Superior Inspectors and Civil Officers of a scientific and literary character, and finally four persons of literary or scientific reputation, but without official position. Ex-officio members are the General Director of Public Instruction, the Rector of the Central University, the Attorney of the Ecclesiastical Court, and the Apostolic Vicar of Madrid.

The Central Administration is represented by the General Director of Public Instruction; the local, by the Rectors of the Universities with a Council of Advice. There is also in each provincial capital a Junta (Committee), having charge of the interests of the lower and middle schools, and the care of the school funds. In every commune is a local junta, with oversight of primary instruction.

Later changes and dispositions. The Royal Council of Public Instruction was dissolved by the law of Oct. 10, 1868, and the minister made alone responsible. The constitution of the provincial juntas was changed, and now consists of nine members chosen by the deputies (deputaciones); the local committee consists of from nine to fifteen members, according to the population of the locality, appointed by the corporations (ayuntamientos).

1. PRIMARY INSTRUCTION.

Primary Instruction is of an elementary and a higher grade. Every place, with a population of less than 500, is to have one incomplete boys' school; but such districts may unite to establish one complete; of full 500, at least one complete boys' school, and, if the population is sufficient, another for girls; of 2,000, two complete schools, one for each sex, and one of the same grade for each sex, for every 2,000 inhabitants additional. Not all of these schools, however, need be public. There must be one higher elementary school in the provincial capitals, and in every city of more than 10,000 population; the municipal authorities may open schools of this grade where desired, unless their establishment should prejudice those of the lower grade.

Schools for little children (escuelas de los parvulos, salles d'asile) must be opened in every city with 10,000 population, as well as Sunday and Evening schools for adults. Every University city must have one institution for the deaf, and another for the blind.

Private Schools. Every person, of twenty years of age, with a teach

er's diploma, can open a private, primary school, subject to regulations to be detailed hereafter. Legal associations or corporations enjoy the same privileges, after obtaining permission from the government, with or without giving bonds. Instruction at home is allowed by law.

Inspection.

Besides the Royal Council already mentioned, there is appointed for every province one inspector, sometimes two, and in Madrid three. These must be graduates of the Central Normal School, and must have had experience as teachers. They are appointed by the head of the Department, after conference with the Royal Council. They inspect the schools of all descriptions, except the normal schools.

Besides the provincial inspectors there are three General Inspectors of primary instruction for the whole kingdom, appointed from the provincial inspectors of the first class, the directors of the Normal Schools of the same class, or from the teachers of the higher course in the Central Normal School. They must be Bachelors of Arts, and must have had five years experience in one of the above positions. They inspect the Primary Normal Schools, and have supervision of the transactions of the provincial inspectors.

In addition to these special inspectors, the bishops and other prelates are charged with the oversight of the school-books, the studies, and the religious instruction of the pupils.

Studies.

In the elementary primary schools are taught religion, Scripture history, reading, writing, the mother tongue, orthography, arithmetic, with weights, measures and coins, and such details of commerce, trade, and agriculture, as local circumstances may require. In the higher primary schools the same studies are carried farther, with the addition of (1) elementary geometry, linear drawing, the art of measuring land; (2) geography and history, especially of Spain; (3) general notions of physics, chemistry, and natural history, with their practical applications. In the girls' schools the same studies are pursued, with the exception of agriculture and the branches embraced under 1 and 2, which are replaced by lessons in housekeeping, female handiwork, and drawing in connection with the latter. The Evening and Sunday Schools for adults carry the elementary studies higher, and give instruction in linear and ornamental drawing, with special reference to the trades. The courses in the Normal (or model) Schools correspond to the requirements made for obtaining a teacher's diploma.

The school is continued throughout the year, without intermission, although there are fewer recitations during the summer, with two daily sessions of three hours each, or in some places only one of four hours. The schools for little children are held for three hours in the morning, and in afternoon. The evening schools for adults are held during one hour and a half in the evening, from October to May.

The school age is from six to nine years in the Primary School; from two to seven for the little children in the Infant Asylums.

School Books and Methods.

The text-books are chosen by the government, which issues a list every three years. In the religious instruction a catechism approved by the authorities of the diocese is used. Grammar and orthography are taught according to the method of the Spanish Academy. Four methods of instruction are pursued, the individual, simultaneous, mutual, and mixed. The intuitional and the catechetical method are universally commended by the best educators, but are not yet generally adopted. Much stress is laid upon memorizing, and upon practical exercises under the guidance of the teacher. Many attempts are now made to diffuse a knowledge of the best foreign methods, and the soundest theories of pedagogy. Examinations are held annually in both public and private establishments.

Discipline.

Attendance is obligatory. Cases of truancy are reported at first to the parents, and afterwards, if necessary, to the local junta. Severe bodily punishments, or those calculated to degrade the pupil, are very strictly forbidden. Diplomas, books, instruments connected with studies or their practical application, are distributed as prizes.

TEACHERS.

The teachers in the public schools receive their appointments from different sources, according to their locality and salaries. Those places paying less than 4000 reals for males, and 3000 for females, are filled by the rector of the university of the district in which they are situated; those paying more than this, and less than 6000, by the Superior Board of Studies; those paying still higher salaries by the King. The teachers must be Spaniards, 20 years of age, of good character, and with a professional diploma for teaching. But for teachers in the schools for little children, nothing more is necessary than the recommendation of the governor, and the junta of the province. Teachers may engage in any other occupation that does not impair their efficiency in the school. They cannot be discharged during good conduct.

Candidates for the position of teacher in the elementary primary schools are examined in the following branches: the catechism, religious history, reading, calligraphy, Spanish grammar and composition, arithmetic, the elements of geometry, of linear drawing and of land measuring, geography, elements of the history of Spain, notions of agriculture, principles of pedagogy, methods and practice of instruction. In addition, for the higher primary schools, algebra and natural history, and some comprehension of ordinary natural phenomena are required.

Female teachers are examined in the branches taught in the female schools, and two years of practice in a model school is accepted as

a substitute for attendance on the Normal Schools. The pastor of the commune can also teach in a primary school. The incomplete schools are taught by teacher-adjuncts; those open for a short period of time only, by candidates for teacherships, subject to the direction of the teachers of the nearest complete establishment. Advancement is earned by age and services. The modern languages and music may be taught by foreigners.

The teachers in the Normal Schools are subjected to an examination in all the branches pursued in the primary schools, together with rhetoric and poetry. They are also required to have completed a course of pedagogy relating to the primary schools although eight years' experience in a higher primary school dispenses with this requirement. The fifth vacant place in the provincial normal schools is reserved for those teachers in the public schools who have had ten years of successful service, and is to be obtained by competitive examination; all others by competitive trial or actual experience.

Teachers for the highest courses of the Central Normal School must have the diploma of Bachelor of Arts from a University.

Financial.

The expenses of the primary schools, including those connected with the Normal School, are borne by the communes, assisted, in case of need, by the central government. The Normal Schools are supported by the provinces, the state contributing in part to the support of the Central Normal School at Madrid.

The salaries of male teachers in the elementary primary schools are from 2500 to 9000 reals, 1000 reals more being paid, in each case, in the schools of the higher class. Female teachers receive two-thirds of this amount. The sums paid for tuition are added to these salaries.

Pensions are paid to teachers after the sixtieth year of age, two-fifths of the salary being paid after twenty years of service, three-fifths after twenty-five, and four-fifths after thirty-five years. Widows and orphans receive one-quarter of the average salary.

In the Normal Schools the salaries range from 7000 to 12,000 reals, the last sum being paid to the Directors of the Provincial establishments. In the Central Normal School salaries range as high as 15,000 reals.

The members of the Royal Council serve without pay. The provincial inspectors receive from 8000 reals to 10,000, according to the size and population of the province in which they serve. The salary of the general inspectors reaches 18,000 reals. Traveling expenses are paid.

Many important changes, as yet of a provisional character, have been introduced into the system of primary instruction, by ordinances promulgated in 1868 and 1869—such as full liberty of instruction to parents and teachers, any citizen of Spain being authorized to open a school; the appointment of all teachers in higher schools by concour; the abrogation of pay in certain schools, and under certain conditions. By an ordinance

of 1868, the term of study for the diploma of teacher, is fixed for teachers of the first grade at two years; of the second degree, at three; and of the Normal Schools, at four.

Oct. 9, 1866, courses of religious and moral subjects were added to the normal school course, with practical exercises in various branches there taught. There is to be one normal school for each sex in every province (Dec. 9, 1868). The revolution left to the teachers the choice of methods and the selection of books. Pupils can enter school at any age (Nov. 10, 1868). Since the revolution most private schools in the larger cities have fallen into the hands of educational corporations.

III. SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

The establishments of secondary instruction have borne the name of Institutes since 1845. They were divided into three classes, by the law of 1857, according to the population of their localities, that at Madrid being of the first class, those of the provincial capitals and the university cities of the second, and all the rest of the third. There are provincial institutes, one in each province, two in Madrid, and local institutes, which absorb the previously existing trade-schools, to be opened, as needed, permission being given by the Central Board to the municipal authorities. Their courses differ, as to the predominance of linguistic and scientific subjects, as will be described hereafter.

Connected with most of the institutes are colegios or boarding houses; and private colegios can be opened, under certain restrictions, by Spaniards of good character, 25 years of age, who hold the degree of licentiate or its equivalent, from a university.

Institutions of the secondary grade are under the control of the rectors of the university districts, or the professors representing them, who receive from the directors monthly financial reports. If there is no university near, reports are made to the ministry. The director is the head of the institute. He is assisted by a secretary, who is nominated by himself to the rector of the university, from among the teachers of the institute.

The course of instruction includes two departments, of general and of applied studies; only a part of the former are in the municipal institutes, while in both the local and the provincial institutes such applied branches only are taught as meet local industrial demands. The general branches of study are, religion and church history, morals, reading, writing, universal and Spanish history, mathematics, physics, chemistry, natural history, the modern languages, Spanish and Latin grammar and composition, elementary Greek, logic, psychology, and drawing. The applied studies are linear and figure drawing, mercantile arithmetic, and in general all such branches as have a practical application in the arts and trades, for which no other preparation is needed than such as can be obtained in the primary schools. The general course prepares for the degree of bachelor of arts, the applied course for the title of perito or skilled merchant, mechanic, chemist, land measurer, and land valuer. The arrangement of