tion, which is a branch of the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs; those who report as to immediate supervision are the bishops and school directors of each diocese, forming with the civil governor a diocesan board of directors, the school commission, local boards, and district inspectors. PRESENT STATUS, OF EDUCATION.1 Such are the main features of the Norwegian school system to date of 1889. On June 26 of that year a new school law was promulgated which will be enforced by degrees. The limit is a three years' period in cities and a five years' period (following the date of July, 1889) in rural districts, or, if in certain communities insurmountable difficulties occur, still another five years' period will be allowed. The principal features of the school law of January 26, 1889, are here presented for both city and rural schools. It may be stated, however, that considerable opposition to many of its provisions has been developed, and it is a question if certain modifications may not be made from time to time as the necessity occurs. The provisions provoking the most discussion are, the leaving the arrangement of the time-tables and plan of instruction to the local authorities, the appointment of elementary teachers by local boards, and a few minor points which are susceptible of different interpretations. The requirement that a certain minority of the voters of each district meet for the election of boards of inspectors has had to be given up owing to the opposition developed. City schools.—According to this law each town is to have a sufficient number of elementary schools for all children needing an education. Each elementary school is to be in three divisions, the first for chil dren from 7 to 10 years of age, the second for those 10 to 12 years of age, the third for those 12 to 14 years of age. The limit of school age is from 6 to 15 years of age, and all children are to receive seven years' gratuitous schooling unless they are mentally or physically disabled, have some contagious disease, or belong to the incorrigible class. For such children special schools are established, the parents being called upon to pay in part for the instruction given. Classes in the elementary grades of town-schools are not to exceed 40 pupils in number although, if economy requires it, the limit may be extended to 50 pupils. For the first, or lowest division, 24 hours a week instruction in the different branches is to be the limit, and this may be reduced to 18 hours a week if the school board report to the municipal authorities that such a shortening of hours is advisable. The limits are therefore 18 to 24 hours. In the second division the weekly limit of study hours is assigned by the municipal authorities according to the suggestion of the school board. The third, or highest division, which depends more directly upon the school board, is allowed more latitude in regard to hours of study, reports in regard to such hours being made from time See note under Distinctive Features of the School System, p. 477. to time during the year. If classes are formed for any special study, the hours are not to exceed 24 each week. If, however, there are op tional studies allowed by the municipal authorities, these must in nowise interfere with the ordinary branches of elementary education, and the combined hours of study are not to exceed 30 hours a week. Optional studies may include foreign languages. The school vacations cover 12 weeks throughout the year although that limit may be extended to 16 weeks if the authorities so determine. If the parents are unable to furnish text-books for their children the school board may do so. Parents neglecting to send their children to school after due notification is given them will be fined from 1 to 25 crowns (26.8 cents to $6.50). The head of any firm employing children between 6 and 15 years of age is required to see that they attend school during the hours set apart for such instruction or pay 100 crowns ($26.80). Funds accruing from fines, or from the fees required of parents when the children need special instruction, are to be handed over to the municipal authorities. Each elementary school must have at least one male teacher and at least one female teacher. Persons who desire to open private schools for pupils under 15 years of age must so inform the school board of the town; in default of this a fine of 50 crowns ($13.40) is to be paid. If the person desiring such posi tion is not of high moral character, the school board can forbid his teaching any pupil under 15 years of age. If such a private school teacher continues to teach such pupils, the school board is at liberty to withdraw them from the school and place them in the public school. The teacher of a private school is required to give the school board whatever information it desires in regard to the school or pay from 5 to 25 crowns ($1.34 to $6.70) each week. Each town must have a school board to look after the interests of its schools and to report as to the funds required for the management of the schools. There is also a committee of inspection to watch over a group of schools, while the teachers form a school council to discuss school needs, etc. The school board and council consult together. The bishop and dean watch over the religious instruction in the schools. Then there are school superintendents who form a board of higher inspection, and jaunt about to take cognizance of school matters throughout the country. They report annually to the chief of the department of education. The municipal council and local school boards (law of June, 1889, with modifications) have the power of regulating the hours of school and the plan of instruction in the two divisions of the elementary grades, but the minister of education and the school inspectors of the six dioceses have formulated a model plan for the guidance of these local officials. By this same law the appointment of elementary school teachers is intrusted to the local boards, but the school director can annul these appointments if, through the appointment of relatives, etc., they savor too much of favoritism. The municipal council and school board are also given the power of approval of plans for new school buildings, but prior to a decision being reached the local board. of health, or committee on sanitation, and the higher school authorities (probably those of the diocese) are expected to express their opinions in regard to the plan submitted. The board of health must look after the sanitary condition of school buildings and condemn them if unhealthy. If sufficient funds are voted by the municipal council, a physician is to keep watch over the hygienic conditions in the schools of the district over which appointed. The new law does not make the financial basis for city schools especially clear, but it would seem as though the older laws, by which the maintenance of city schools was left entirely to the municipal district, still held good. In all matters appertaining to the control and maintenance of city or town schools there are direct consultations with the municipal authorities. As far as the salaries of teachers are concerned, the city authorities receive at the close of each semester one-fourth of the amount of salary paid out. The schools of the city receive from the municipal school budget whatever is necessary to cover the expenses of elementary schools beyond the amount of the governmental subsidy and such other funds as have been turned in from other sources. For more detailed account as to teachers, finances, supervision, etc., see under appropriate heads below. Rural schools.-The law of June 26, 1889, as it applies to rural schools is as follows: Each commune is to have a sufficient number for the education of all children between 7 and 14 years of age. The list prepared annually to contain the names of all children between 6 and 15 years of age in each school circle, and whether they belong to public or private schools. Annexed to these elementary communal schools are one or more continuation schools for children between 14 and 18 years of age, the special aim of these schools being, as the name indicates, to consolidate and enlarge upon the instruction given in the elementary grades. Each commune is to be divided into school districts, and each of these districts is to have an elementary school of two divisions, i. e., first or lower division for pupils of 7 to 10 years of age, and a second division for children from 10 to 14 years. If the parents reside at too great a distance from each other, this lower division may again be subdivided, or there may be an annexation to the schools of other districts, if it is more convenient for small children. Such subdivision or annexation is to be referred by the school board to the administration of the commune, and its decision again communicated to the board of higher inspection and to the school board which refers it to the minister of education. The separate classes of these divisions are not to have more than 35 pupils, or at the most 45 pupils. If there are fewer than 35 pupils in the school a consolidation of divisions may be made. The length of school year for each division is 12 weeks, but, if the school authorities so decide, this may be extended to 15 weeks. The number of hours of study each week is 36 for the higher division and 30 for the little folks. If the school has fewer than 35 pupils there may be a consolidation of the two divisions during 6 weeks, and a separation for 6 weeks schooling, or there may be a reduction to 10 weeks of school for the two divisions taught separately. If there are only 20 pupils they may be taught together. If there are only 12 pupils, 9 weeks a year may be the maximum of instruction. Special classes may be formed for backward children, the parents or guardians to pay for such instruction, the school board to see that such children are withdrawn from the public schools if they are not in condition to benefit by the instruction given them. Optional courses, which are not to exceed 6 weeks a year for each class, may be formed to carry on a desired course of elementary studies. Continuation schools formed in a commune, or in one or more rural communes united together, may be divided into one or more classes. Special regulations govern these schools. All children of the commune have the right to gratuitous instruction during a seven-year period, unless they are exempt by reason of some infirmity or of the pernicious influence, which, if incorrigible, they may exert over other children. In such a case schools must be established for them where they will not affect the moral character of other children. Absence, unless for good and sufficient reason, causes reprimand, a note to the parents; and further neglect, a fine of from 1 to 25 crowns (26.8 cents to $6.70). The employers of children engaged in industrial pursuits are to see that they have the proper schooling or else pay a fine which may amount to $26.80. In case of poverty of the parents the school board may furnish text-books and even clothing to children so that they can have school privileges. Any person desiring to open a private school for children under 15 years of age will be fined 50 crowns (313.40) if he does so without informing the authorities. If the person is not of high moral character the school board may forbid his keeping a private school. If the children are kept in such school the parents may be notified to withdraw them, or the school board may send them to the public schools. If the information desired by the school board of the heads of such private schools is not forthcoming, a fine of from 5 to 25 crowns ($1.34 to $6.70) may be demanded in weekly payments. No religious text-books can be employed other than those authorized by the King. Other text-books can only be employed if they contain nothing contrary to the laws or the religion of the state. Before the school board can take any action relative to the introduction of a textbook the superintendents should be consulted. If higher tribunals have to be called upon in regard to the use of text-books, the board of higher inspection or superintendents can prevent their use until the matter is decided. Instruction must be given in the Norwegian language. In the diocese of Tromsöe the Lap and Finnish tongues may be employed as auxiliaries. The text-books of those languages may also be employed side by side with the Norwegian text-books. If the school board decides that corporal punishment is allowable, it can only take place in the presence of a member of the committee of inspection, and never upon girls over 10 years of age. It may be stated here that more stress is laid upon the matter of corporal punishment in Norway than in the other Scandinavian divisions. For instance, in 1882, among the instructions for teachers laid down by the diocesan board was this one: If any child shows a lack of respect for his teacher, or is obstinate in demeanor, he may receive corporal punishment, but this can only take place by consent of the principal of the school, and must not result in injury to the pupil. The proprieties must also be observed in said punishment. When a girl above the fourth class deserves punishment she must not be struck by one of the masters, but by a female teacher, in the presence of and with the consent of the directress of the school. Each commune has a school board to watch over the interests of the elementary and continuation schools. There is also a committee of inspection, which reports to the school board as to discipline, absenteeism, the whereabouts of ambulatory schools, etc. The bishop and dean have religious instruction in charge. A superintendent has general oversight of the county schools and he participates in the meetings of the school boards and in the discussions of school affairs by the communal authorities. Every public functionary is expected to aid the school board, the school administration of the department, and the supervisors or board of higher inspection. For the maintenance of schools a commune may be divided into several school communes and the obligations and expenditures of elementary schools shall be at the charge of the school commune. If a commune is made up of several parishes, the King is to arrange as to the part which the ecclesiastical functionaries are to take in school affairs. The affairs of rural districts which have no municipal council and which, as far as school affairs are concerned, are united to a parish or to a town, can be regulated by the minister of education until the King decides otherwise. If any part of a commune, on account of some special conditions, the density of population, etc., may be considered a town, then if the communal administration demand it, the elementary schools may be organized wholly or in part according to the regulations for city schools. Summarized, the new elementary school law includes two distinct laws, that for the country and that for the city. Twelve weeks a year is the duration for country schools, which is equal to the vacations in city schools, although these schools may be kept open fifteen weeks if the communal authorities so decide. The city schools have three divisions, the country schools two; so that the same teacher, who is |