1646

96

candidates, 25 certificates of qualification have been issued, 22
of which were second, and 3 first grade, to 16 men and 9
women. The average age of all candidates was 30 5/12 years ;
their average experience 6 9/12 years. Ten of the whole number
were married. The average number of questions given each
candidate in all branches, was 80; the average per cent,
made, 82; a result of which they may feel justly proud. In- ,
deed, I do not hesitate to say, that our corps of teachers need
not tear comparison with the same number of similar grade
anywhere.

Visiting AND EXAMINATION OF SCHOOLS.

AH the schools were examined during the course of the
year; those of the second district, quarterly; those of the
other dieiricts, as often as time permitted. Besides which,
several of the gentlemen acting as 'Visitors' in my district,
held examinations in their respective schools, when other
duties forbid my attendance, and reported the result to the
Beard; for which I here tender them my thanks. Towards
the close of the year, I visited all the schools throughout the
county, and personally examined each of the pupils—num-
bering over 500—in attendance at the time of my call; noting
the standing and proficiency of each pupil, and the general
condition, of the school. The information derived from this
examination, and from the annual reports of the teachers,
has been embodied in the exhibit marked B herewith an-
nexed, which will perhaps furnish a more correct general
view of our school s, than any there verbal description.

While the schools show a decided improvement on the
past, in the faithfulness and zeal of the teachers, and, as a
natural consequence, a better attendance and greater studi-
ousness of their pupils, yet I was pained to observe that the
classification of the scholars and mode of instruction were
still very imperfect. The former indeed seemed as often
guided by the size and age of the pupil, as by his capacity
and scholarship. Some excuse for this might, however, be
found in the want of familiarity on the part of the teachers, ,
with the text books lately introduced, and their consequent
inability, till aided by farther experience, to adapt the selec-
tion to the individual capacity of the child. Be the expla-
nation what it may, the error in question demands prompt
correction, and I have accordingly introduced into all the
schools, until something better offers, the system of classifi-
cation exhibited in the statement herewith annexed. It
embraces, as you will .perceive, a Primary Department
and a Grammar Department; the former divided into

* The gentlemen referred to. were Drs. Duke Dorsey and Sedwick, and Jno. T.

Boad, Esq