HC Deb 07 April 1884 vol 286 cc1797-8
MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

asked the Vice President of the Council, Whether the provisions are still in force contained in "Instructions to Her Majesty's Inspectors" (Circular 212), paragraph 6, issued 9th August 1882, which include amongst other things the following words with reference to infant schools: — Where not less than three-fourths (of the infants) pass the individual examination well … the mark good should he awarded; and, if they are no longer in force at what date they were superseded?

MR. MUNDELLA

Sir, the instructions of the 9th of August, 1882, are still in force, although it is intended shortly to issue fresh instructions, which will embody all that is needed for the guidance of Inspectors under the New Code. The words quoted are accurately quoted; but the meaning apparently attached to them by the hon. Member is erroneous. The instructions do not say that all the infants are to be individually examined. Individual examination of the whole is distinctly confined to those above six (and I now observe that even this is to be modified); but it is required that— A sufficient number of the others are examined to satisfy Her Majesty's Inspector that the elements of reading, &c., are properly taught. It is obvious, therefore, that the three-fourths does not refer to all the infants, but only to those who are examined, which should form only a fraction of the whole number.