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I. The difference of attainments of the children, even in a small school, renders assistance necessary in almost every instance; for, although a large number of pupils of similar ages and attainments may be efficiently instructed in one class, yet the case is very different when the ages and attainments are so dissimilar as in our ordinary schools. The costliness alone of the necessary assistance stands in the way of that supply, which is found to be indispensable, even for a small number, in a better class of private or public schools.

An average attendance of forty children usually indicates about sixty on the books, with occasionally fifty and upwards present; such numbers exceed the efficiency of one teacher.

It is, therefore, desirable that in schools having a principal teacher qualified for the training of such assistants, an allowance should be made, according to the average attendance, of one pupil-teacher for an additional average of twenty over the first twenty; but, as a considerable increase upon this number will not materially add to the difference of attainments or to the number of classes, an additional pupil-teacher might be allowed for every additional average of thirty children — i.e.

Average attendance 40 and upwards, one pupil-teacher.
Average attendance 70 and upwards, two pupil teachers.
Average attendance 100 and upwards, three pupil teachers.

Note.—In reckoning the average, the harvest quarter should be omitted.

It is important to make the granting of this assistance conditional also upon the principal teacher’s capability for training pupil-teachers, because, otherwise, besides the probability of their progress and their work being inferior during their term, the result would be valueless and unavailable for any future service.

The class of candidates for masterships has hitherto, with a few honourable exceptions, consisted of persons with very limited acquirements, and little, if any, experience in tuition. In the absence of more eligible candidates, certificates of fitness only, according to the requirements of the schools at the time, have been granted to those whose attainments came up to such a standard.

The training of pupil-teachers comprises a higher standard of attainment.

A higher class of certificate should, therefore, be required before teachers should be entrusted with the charge of pupil-teachers.

II. The service and its cost.

Candidates for pupil-teachership are selected from the youth of either sex at the age when most scholars leave school, about their thirteenth year. Their term of service in England lasts for four or five years, their services being secured for the full term by articles of apprenticeship.

It is important to observe that, in agricultural districts, for three or four months, the schools are very thinly attended, and that, therefore, the assistance of pupil-teachers is not necessary during that part of the year; yet the time is too long for vacation, and some means should be devised for its profitable employment, after allowing a reasonable vacation.

The effective work of a pupil-teacher in agricultural districts, those chiefly to be provided for, would consist of teaching during the usual school hours of five hours per day during eight months in each year, besides assisting the master just before the opening and after the close of school, in arrangements conducive to discipline, neatness, and order. The pupil-teacher is not a half-time assistant, learning for half the day and teaching for the other half. He will have ample time for lessons from the teacher, and for private study out of school hours.