Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1381

 INSTR CTCTION — FINANCE

1259

lioys of the upper and middle classes, while, witliin many of their establish- ments, industries of all kinds are carried on. The number of religious houses in Spain is about 3,801, of which 794 are for men and 3,007 for women. Of those for men, 447 are devoted to education, 34 to charity, and 313 to the training of priests. The total number of monks is about 12,801 (including 1,294 foreigners). The orders for women comprise 1,308 for education, 887 for charity, and 802 for a contemplative life. The number of nuns is about 43,287 (including 2,418 foreign women).

Instruction.

The latest census returns show that a large proportion of the inhabitants are illiterate. In 1860 20 '0 per cent, of the population could read and write ; 4 '6 per cent, could read only ; and 75 '3 per cent, could neither read nor write. In 1910, 33*4 per cent, could read and write, 2'6 per cent, could read only, and 637 per cent, could neither read nor write.

By a law of 1857 an elaborate system of primary education was ordained : education was to be compulsory, there was to be a primary school for every 500 inhabitants, and instruction vvTisto be on a rigidly uniform plan. This system has not been rigidly enforced, but various improvements have been effected, especially by a law of June 9, 1909, which made education obligatory. There is now a Minister of Education, with a council; there are ten educa- tional districts, with the universities as centres, 83 primary inspectors, and numerous local educational authorities The public and primary schools are since 1902 supported by Government, the total sum spent in 1911 being 31,661,746 pesetas. Most of the children are educated free. The Royal Decree of July 1, 1902, regulates all schools, whether belonging to corpora- tions or private persons, whether self-supporting or in receipt of Government or municipal subventions. It requires schools to be authorised by Govern- ment authority, and provides for their periodical inspection, for the enforce- ment of rules respecting sanitation and discipline, and for the appointment of properly qualified teachers.

and 5,212 private schools, the total Secondary education is conducted schools, somewhat like universities be one of them in every province. In 1910 there were 58 institutions with 36,514 pupils. These institutions prepare for the universities, of which there are ten, attended by about 16, 000 students. The universities are at iiarcelona, Granada, Madrid, Oviedo Salamanca, Santiago, Sevilla, Valencia, Valladolid, and Zaragoza. Each university has two or more of the faculties of philosophy, law, mathematics and physics, medicine, and pharmacy. There are, besides, a medical faculty at Cadiz. Government also supports various special schools — engineer- ing, agriculture, architecture, fine arts, music, &c. In 1911 the total .sum expended on education and the fine arts was 58,524,586 pesetas.

Finance.

Revenue and expenditure for five years : —

There are 24,861 public schools number of pupils being 2,052,158. in 'institutions,' or middle-class in their organisation : there must

Revenue.

Expenditure

1908

1,000 Pesetas

l,072,4t^0 1,025,953

1909

1,000 Pesetas 1,065,569 1,100,932

1910

1,000 Pesetas 1,049,522 1,036,211

1911

1.000

Pesetas

1,131,456

1,045,865

1912

1,000

Pesetas

1,131,435

1,162,853