REPORT.

T0 the Board of Education for the Island of Prince Edward:

GENTLEMEN ;

In presenting you with my Report for the last quarter, I have but little to add to the statistical details Contained in the. accompanying schedule.

The breaking up of the roads Compelled me to suspend my operations in the month of April last, before I had visited all the Schools comprised in my division of the Island, tor the second time,—-I have recently examined nearly all [then omitted, which together with 'I‘wenty-tWo others previoust visited but not reported, make a total of Forty-three since my last report.

It Would be very desirable to prepare an extended list of books to be used in the Schools ; and if any plan Could be devised lbr supplying them readily and at reduced rates, it would, I think be attended with advantage. I recommend the two SeQIIels t0 the seCond book in the Irish National Series, and Chamlmrs’s History of the British Empire, to be added to the present list.

A map of the Island should be placed in every school-house ; I have in most cases where this defi- ciency existed, left a request to the 'I'rustees to pro- cure ono. The keeping of a regular Trustees’ book should be insisted on.

Illave placed before the Board two applications from the several districts of “ Union” and “South Kildare,” for a junction of the two, so as to give them a (Tentral school-house at Alberton. I think this may be effected with great benefit to the larger portion ofthe inhabitants, and—with some slight alter- ations in the boundaries of the. adjoining districts—— without material inconvenience to any one.

lst July, 1864.

Since the date ofmy last quarterly Report, I have made One hundred and six visits to district schools, but in some few cases I have thought it advisable (when I Could conveniently do so,) to repeat a visit, where the absence of the Teacher had preV‘ented an examination of" the scholars ; thus the number of schools is not adequately represented by the num- ber of visits. The schedule to be annexrd hereto will give full statistics.

Referring to my Report of June last, I have again to draw the attention of the Board to the ex- pediency of publishing an enlarged list of books for use in the district schools; which, however, might be permissive, not obligatory on the Teachers and

Trustees ; that is to say, no books Should be used not included in the list, but a choice should be allowed among those authorized by the Board. The books to be used for reading and spelling might be confined to one. set or Series for the sake of unifor- mity in the schools, and also to secure a cheaper rate of supply; but I suggest that a wider range might be safely allowed in the other branches of education, for instance, in history, geography and arithmetic. In June last I mentioned the two sequels to the SeCond book of the Irish National series (which have been advantageously introduced into some schools,) and Chalnbers’s history of the British Empire. I also recommend for consider.- ation \Vhite‘s history of England, Pinnock’s and Simpson’s Abridgements of Goldsmith’s, and also a history of England published by the society for pro-.- moting Christian Knowledge, Chambers’s Educa- tional Series including his Introduction to Mathe- matics and Geographical Primer, Constable’s Educational Series, and Early Lessons, No. 9, published by Nelson 8:. Co., Edinburgh Some Latin Grammar should also be introduced, perhaps Bullion’s, and Rudiments ot'the Latin Language for the use ot'the Edinburgh Academy, Latin Delec- tus, Caesar’s Commentaries, or some. other Latin author. The arithmetical works would, I suppose, be a matter of indifference.

I have in many instances insisted on a Map of Prince Edward Island, and Sutherland’s Island Geography being provided by the Trustees. On my next circuit Iwill make a more per-emptory requisition to this effect, and. report those schools in which it is not complied with.

The Union of two Districts, with a view to the establishment of a Superior or Grammar School, has in obedience to the minute of the Board of the 29th August, received my attention. I have no doubt that this may be done, in some localities with great advantage, but at present the case of Alber- ton, involving the amalgamation of the South Kil- dare and the Union Schools, (Lot 4,) is the only one I can recommend. Although there may be some individual inconveniences occasioned by this union, yet on the whole, I think it will be generally bene- ficial to the neighbourhood.-

l have, before, alluded to the advantage, in many cases, of remodelling the School Districts. I am aware that this would be attended with considerable difficulty, but it Would also have many advantages, and should not, I think, be lost sight of.