Papers for the Schoolmaster

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868. Excerpt: ... the Scholarships to children of those artisans who do not earn JB100 per year. The cause of science would be more advanced were this restriction withdrawn; for artisans cannot afford to keep their children at school till they are 15 or 16 years old, especially if there is a large family at home. Children at that age can earn five or six shillings a week, and this must be a great consideration to a man not earning 2 a week himself. But it may be said, the prospect of 10 at the erd of the yenr would induce the parents to keep them at school. To this it may be replied, the LO is not certain, but depends on the child's success in a difficult examination. The prospect is a remote one, and we all know how we feel, about 'n bird in the hand.' The only persons likely to undertake this risk are those who can better afford to do so--in fact, precisely those who, having a little more than 100 per year, are excluded from all benefit. We shall most probably find that the child who fulfils the condition cannot be kept at school, and that the one who might be induced to stay does not fulfil the condition; and so, between the two stools poor 'Scientific Instruction' falls to the ground. But again, A has 99 per year and only one child to support. This child may receive the grant. B earns 100 per year, but is encumbered with seven or eight children, none of whom can receive anything at all. Considering the difficulties thus thrown in the way by this introduction of the income question, we should like the Scholarships to be obtainable by any child attending our Elementary Day Schools; and we do not think undue advantage would be taken of this concession. The children attending these schools are not of so high a standing that the money would...