1666

114
TEACHERS.

Total number employed during the year 68, average num-
ber 43. I find those schools kept by teachers holding certifi-
cates, have made most progress, and more, that teachers are
slowly but surely finding out, that in order to teach well,
they must prepare themselves well.

My predecessor was very careful in his examinations and
issued certificates to none who were found wanting. He
gave only 4 first grade and 7 second grade certificates—the
others taught with "permits," Some of these having
mistaken their calling, have ceased to teach. Home have
sufficient knowledge of the branches taught, but do not pos-
ess the happy faculty of interesting their pupils, maintain-
ing order and imparting what they know to others. Some
merely make it a stepping stone to something they consider
higher. There are some who are "school keepeis," whose
highest object is the salary paid them. There are others
who are real students, desiring to know and to learn, who
are advancing the interests of all to the fullest extent.

EXAMINATIONS.

I employ the oral and written methods. The oral, to test
the applicant's mode of expressing himself and imparting
what he knows to others, and the written, to obtain a more
uniform test of his literary attainments as well as to expose
his errors and to compel him to rely entirely upon his resour-
ces.

Part of the exercises were catechetical and part topical.
I have taken also the place of pupil and requested the teacher
io follow and point out when I was in error, and how or why
I was in error. I am not governed strict/y by the standard
of grade of examinations. 1 consider the comparative de-
gree of mental culture, the facility in illustrating principles
or in expressing thoughts.

SALARIES.

We have abandoned "salaries according to numbers."
Teachers' reports show that third class, or " permit" teach-
ers, have received larger salaries than first grade teaehers.
This discourages good teachers and holds out no inducements
to bad ones to improve. Until we have teachers of equal
grade, it would not do to pay according to numbers

For the current year we offer first grade teachers $125.00;
2d grade teachers, $100; teachers with "permits," $75.00
per term.

VISITATIONS.

My object, during my visits, has been to ascertain the