By J. R. Inch, Ll.D., Superintendent of Education

THIRTY-SEVEN years ago the Free Schools Act of New Brunswick superseded what was known as the Parish Schools Act. The new Act was based on the Nova Scotia School Act, which had been in operation for several years previous to the enactment of the New Brunswick law. In essential features the school systems of the two Provinces are very similar. They differ only in so far as the previous educational conditions in each Province rendered modifications desirable or necessary. In both Provinces the free school system has produced highly satisfactory results. A new epoch in educational progress dates from the inauguration of schools established and maintained by public taxation and free to every child of school age.

The New Brunswick system embraces the University of New Brunswick, thirteen Grammar Schools, fifty Superior Schools, and between seventeen and eighteen hundred intermediate and primary schools. The courses of study in these various grades of schools are carefully articulated, so that a child entering the primary school may proceed, step by step, until he completes the University course in Arts or Applied Science. The Chief Superintendent of Education has supervision of the complete system, being ex officio the President of the Senate, or governing body of the University, as well as Superintendent of all public educational institutions of lower grades.

In indicating educational progress in New Brunswick, I will refer only to the statistics of the last seventeen years, during which the present Superintendent has been officially connected with the administration of the Schools Act.

The University

In 1891-2, the number of Professors and Assistant Instructors was seven, and the number of undergraduates was sixty-seven. At the close of that year ten students received the B.A. degree, and four the M.A. degree in course.

In 1907-8 the number of Professors had increased to ten, the number of undergraduates to one hundred and forty-seven, and the number upon whom Degress were conferred to thirty-three ; viz., B.A. eighteen; B.Sc., ten; M.A., four ; Ph.D., one.

During the period between the dates named, three additional chairs had been established, viz.— Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Forestry.

The Normal School

All public school teachers in New Brunswick, with the exception of graduates in Arts of Chartered Universities, are required to undergo training at the Provincial Normal School. It is true that in remote rural districts where it is found impossible to obtain the services of regularly licensed teachers the Chief Superintendent may, on the recommendation of a School Inspector, grant a temporary local license to an untrained teacher; but the total number of such licenses is small.

The annual attendance at the Normal School has increased from 243 in 1891-2, to 384 in 1907-8. The teaching staff now numbers eleven, being more than double the number at the former date. There is a special department of Manual Training. A department of Household Science will soon be established. The Model School in the same building has four departments, each under control of a competent teacher.

The Government has in contemplation the establishing in the near future of an Agricultural College, with model farm in connection with the University and Normal School.

Secondary Schools

The Grammar, Superior and other High Schools give instructions in all grades above Grade VIII. The number of pupils in these higher grades has increased more than three-fold since 1891. Students who complete the eleventh grade are prepared for Matriculation into the University. The twelfth grade in the St. John Grammar School covers the work of the University Freshman year. The number of pupils in High School grades is now about 2,000 annually, about one-third of whom complete the eleventh grade.

Consolidated Schools

These differ from the other High Schools in the fact that greater attention is paid to Nature Study as illustrated by School Gardens, the Manual Training, and Household Science. Several of the other schools have also gardens and Manual Training Departments. The Government makes liberal provision for the maintenance of these departments, and for the transportation of children to and from the schools.

There are now four Consolidated Schools in successful operation in New Brunswick. These are located at Kingston, Riverside, Florenceville and Hampton. The aggregate enrolment in these schools is about 700. The total taxable valuation of the four consolidated districts is $933,2(55, and the average rate of taxation upon the districts is one per cent, of the valuation. The total cost per pupil chargeable to the districts is less than $13.50. In view of the superior educational advantages afforded to the pupils of these schools, the expense to the ratepayers is certainly not excessive. There are many poor districts in the Province that pay for very inferior schools, open only part of the year, at a much higher rate per cent, on the assessable valuation. Other Consolidated Schools will be established in the near future.

Primary and Intermediate Schools

The common school grades are provided for in connection with all the High Schools. Not more than twenty-five per cent, of all pupils enrolled reach the High School grades. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that the greatest possible efficiency be maintained in the common schools; and this is the constant aim of the administration. There has been vast improvement during the last twenty years in these school buildings and equipments, in methods of teaching, and generally in educational results.

Departmental Examinations

The result of these examinations may be taken as a fair criterion of the interest manifested by teachers and students in the work of the schools. These embrace High School Entrance and Leaving Examinations, Normal School Entrance and Closing Examinations, and University Matriculation Examinations. These examinations were instituted in 1893.

The total number who entered for these examinations the last year was more than double the number that entered in 1893 ; and the results were correspondingly satisfactory.

In conclusion, it may be confidently affirmed that interest in educational matters on the part of ratepayers and citizens is annually increasing, as manifested by more generous contributions towards the support of our schools and the salaries of teachers; that the status of the teaching profession is at a higher level than at any previous period of provincial history, and that the outlook for the future is encouraging.