The Condition and Tendencies of Technical Education in GermanyChamberlain, Arthur Henry
History
The Condition and Tendencies of Technical Education in Germany
Chamberlain, Arthur Henry
Technical education -- Germany
In certain sections, Nassau and Hanover for example, state aid came
early to the continuation school. In 1874 an increased appropriation
resulted in the betterment of the schools then existing and in the
further establishment of like institutions. Here the communities must
meet the cost of building, heating, lighting etc., and one-half of all
the expenses not covered by the actual tuition. Since 1878 there is a
fairly general acceptance throughout the Empire of the statute
providing that all employes under eighteen years of age must be allowed
to attend a continuation school, the period of attendance to be
determined by “competent authority”. This naturally leads the Public
Instruction Department to be free in its financial support.
It will be understood that in most cases six hours per week is the
attendance required and that only those who have left the Volksschule or
lower school and are not attending any higher institution are admitted.
In Saxony a somewhat different condition exists. Children who have not
made satisfactory progress in the Volksschule must, perforce, attend the
continuation school for two years.
The writer of this paper was thoroughly impressed with the work of the
Sunday classes as seen in Leipzig, Saxony, during the summer of 1899.
His first introduction to such work was made, when on joining a group
of boys, several of them carrying draughting-boards, he was conducted by
them to their school. The general character and deportment of the boys,
the spirit and enthusiasm manifested by them, and the thoughtful and
intelligent quality of the work produced, fully justified in his own
mind, the validity and worth of the Sunday class instruction.
As between the schools located in the cities and those in the smaller
towns and country places, there is some slight difference. They may be
classified as (_a_) rural or (_b_) city schools, on account of their
location. The distinction lies rather in the arrangement of their
curricula, the needs of the students in the particular locality being
kept in mind. In the rural schools the programme of studies is somewhat
general, comprising the German language, arithmetic, mensuration, nature
study; and in some instances may be added to these, geography, German
history, drawing, gymnastics and music. This programme is elective to
the extent that the capacity and previous education of the pupil are
considered, and too, the ability of the teacher, local conditions and
the time spent by the individual student. Such schools are admonished
not to take on the character of technical institutions, but rather to
continue the general education begun in the Volksschulen. Only under
certain conditions is less than four hours per week of instruction
permissible.
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