EDUCATION AND IGNORANCE.
24th September.
Sin—Although Mr. Symons has been perhaps a little supererogatory in the energy of his opposition to my letter of the 15th, yet he has done so much for the cause of English education, and I am so heartily rejoiced to see any man feeling strongly upon a subject which has low, engrossed my thoughts, although his conclusions differ from my own, thatni cannot bring myself to retaliate in the key vituperative : I will content myself with say- ing, that my knowledge of the working classes is not small, and that I might safely appeal to Inspectors' reports as to whether I have been altogether de- ficient in earnestness or success as a school manager. There are two ques- tions, however, so important as regards education, that I must crave per- mission to say a few words more upon them.
1. If the Inspectors' reports are to be believed, the present "system" (if chaos can be so denominated) is not producing satisfactory results—even slowly. The result of improved education has hitherto been, that parents have taken their children from school at an earlier age, because, "they have learnt enough sooner than they used to do." I am ready, if necessary, to quote chapter and verse for this ; but it is enough to refer specially to the reports of Mr. Norris and Mr. Watkins for last year. Moreover, is there the slightest doubt that England is in education one of the most backward countries in Europe ? And vet our systems of inspection and training are said to be as perfect any. Whiff then is wanting, but com- pelling power? 2. The Denominational system is a great obstruction, inasmuch as it dis- tracts and paralyzes both local and central efforts, and makes the school a mere field for sectarian rivalry and display. Surely, for children under fourteen, religious duties and moral law may be, nay ought to be, inculcated without the technicalities of controversial theology ; or if any technical teaching be desired, it could be given by the ministers of the different religious bodies at stated times as proposed by Dr. Hook long ago. Did any Catechism ever make a child better ? That my opinions are not now popular I well know ; but I am firmly con- vinced that no other solutions of our difficulties exist; and therefore, while I fully admit that Mr. Symons's views upon education have a just claim upon our respectful attention, I must express my deep belief that they are not "equal to the occasion."
Previous page
