In relation to the revision which he proposes to make
in the Code, but not as yet to lay on the table of the House for its assent, Mr. Mundella said that the average attendance in each school is to be made the basis of the grant to it for the future, and not the number of individual attendances. In the next place, 250 attendances are no longer to be required as the condition of examination ; all scholars who have been six months on the register are to present themselves for examination, thereby excluding a very strong temptation to petty frauds. The principle of the grants is to be so altered, that while reaching about the same total, a good school will get more than at present, a fair school the same, and a bad. school less. The Inspector is to have power to recommend an addition to the grant on annual attendance, for special merits. In the in- fant schools, all grants, save that for pupil-teachers, are to be based on the average attendance. Further, University gradu- ates are to be admitted as teachers in elementary schools ;—first as assistant-teachers, but they will obtain examination-certifi- cates after serving as assistant-teachers for one year. All these changes seem to us sagacious proposals, worthy of Mr. Man- della's high repute as, virtually at least, our Minister of. Education.
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