Page:Hints for the improvement of village schools and the introduction of industrial work.djvu/13

9 INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL ACCOUNT, (GIRLS' DEPARTMENT,)

From these statements it appears, 1st, that out of a population of 440, 115 children are on the books of the school, or, in other words, that more than one-fourth of the whole population are under instruction. 2ndly. That high payments do not diminish the number of scholars. 3rdly. That the loss on the industrial department after a fair trial of more than two years has not been such as need alarm any school managers who may be inclined to try the experiment in other parishes. On each of these points I may be permitted to say a few words.

1st. As to the number of the scholars. It is fair to mention that there are twelve children who come to my school from the adjoining parishes, but, on the other hand, there are five or six children who belong to my parish, but go to some of the neighbouring schools, so that it cannot be said that we encroach to any great extent on the surrounding parishes. The usual proportion of children at school throughout England is one in ten of the population. In the Government Reports one in seven is considered a very good attendance. One-fourth is very unusual, and I doubt if any parish in Kent can show as large a proportion. 2ndly. That high payments do not necessarily diminish the attendance appears from the fact, that the attendance has steadily increased from thirty-seven children in 1855 to 115 children in 1859, though the rates of payment have been raised from time to time, so that, with the increase of scholars, the schooling money has risen from £4. 10s. in 1855 to £44. 17s. 6d. in 1859.

3rdly. As to the probable loss on an industrial establishment