IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

w..

>V <f ."^

r/.

1.0

I.I

1.25

>^ i^ |2.2
^ i^ Hi 2.0

■UUU

14 ii6

nhic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEeSTER,N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

^6"

FA^

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CmiVI/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques

The institute has attempted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy whicli may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usufcl method of filming, are checked below.

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

I I Covers damaged/

Couverture endommag^e

Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaur^e et/ou pelliculde

Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

Coloured maps/

Cartes gdographiques en couleur

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black}/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/

Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
Reli6 avec d'autres documents

Tight binding mjy cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La re liure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distorsion le ion(, de la marge Intdrieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6td filmies.

Additional comments:/
CommentairAs suppldmentaires;

L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire
qu'll lui a 6ti possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sont paut-dtre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la mithode normale de filmage
sont indiqu^s ci-dessous.

I I Colour&d pages/

Pages de couleur

Pages damaged/
Pages endommagies

□ Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages restaurdes et/ou peiliculdes

Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
Pages dicolories, tacheties ou piqu^es

□Pages detached/
Pages ddtachdes

Showthrough/
Transparence

I I Quality of print varies/

Quality indgale de I'impression

Includes supplementary material/
Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partieilement
obscurcies par un feuiilet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont 6t6 filmdes d nouveau de facon d
obtenir la meiileure image possible.

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqui ci-dessous.

10X 14X 18X 22X

26X

30X

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

Th« copy filmad hara has baan raproduca<l thanks
to tha ganarosity of:

L^islature du Quebec
Quebec

L'axamplaira fflmi fut raproduit grica i la
g^nAroait* da:

L^isiature du Quebec
Quebec

Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha baat quaiit/
possibia considaring tha condition and lagibility
of tha original copy and in icaaping with tha
filming contract spacificationa.

Original eopiaa in printad papar eovars ara filmad
baginning with tha front eovar and anding on
tha last paga with a printad or IKuatratad impraa-
sion. or tha back covar whan appropriata. All
othar original eopiaa ara filmad baginning on tha
first paga with a printad or illuatratad Impraa-
sion. and anding on tha last paga with a printad
or illuatratad imprassion.

Tha laat racordad frama on aach microficha
shall contain rha symbol <— ^(moaning "CON-
TINUED"), or tha symbol V (maaning "END"),
whichavar appiiaa.

Mapa, piataa. charts, ate. may b« filmad at
diffarant raductron ratioa. Thoaa too larga to ba
antiraly inciudad in ona axpoaura ara filmad
baginning in tha uppar laft hand comar, laft to
right and top to bottom, as many framas aa
raquirad. Tha following diagrama illustrata tha
mathod:

Laa imagaa suh^antaa ont At* raprcduitaa avac la
plua grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at
da la nattat* da l'axamplaira film*, at an
eonformiti avac laa conditiona du contrat da
fllmaga.

Uaa axamplairaa originaux dont la cduvartura mn
papiar aat imprimte sont fiimte 9n commandant
par la pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la
darniAra paga qui comporta una amprainta
d'Impraaaion ou d'illustration. soit par la sacond
plat, salon la cas. Tous las autraa axamplairas
originaux sont filmAs an commandant par la
pramlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta
d'Impraaaion ou d'illustration ot an tarminant par
la darniAra paga qui comporta una talla
amprainta.

Un daa symbolaa suivants appa'aitra sur la
damlAra imaga da chaqua microficha. salon la
eaa: la symbols — »> signifia "A SUIVRE". la
symbols V signifia "FIN".

Las cartaa, planchaa. tablaaux. ate. pauvant itra
filmte A das taux da rMuction diffirants.
Lorsqua la documant aat trop grand pour dtra
raproduit an un saul ciich*. il aat film* i partir
da I'angia supAriaur gaucha. da gaucho i droita.
at da haut an baa. an pranant la nombra
d'Imagas n*cassaira. Las diagrammes suivants
illustrant la m*thoda.

1 2 3

THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF THE PROVINCE OF

QUEBEC, THEIR HISTORY AND

ORGANIZATION.

By the Hon. P. Boucher r3E LaBru^re, D. C. L.

[Superintendent of Public Instruction, Quebec]

There are few more interesting subjects than the history of the
labors of those intrepid navigators who first settled on the banks
of the St. Lawrence.

Though discovered in 1534, by Jacques Cartier, no successful
attempts at colonizing New France was made previous to the
opening of the seventeenth century.

As soon as the foundations of a permanent settlement were
laid, the authorities at Quebec with the approval of the French
government, endeavored by every possible means to promote the
civilization of the Indians and the cultivation of the soil, and the
intellectual development of the inhabitants.

The Educational History of the Province may be divided into
two principal periods ; the French regime, from the foundation of
Quebec to the Treaty of Paris, 1763; the English regime, from
the Treaty of Paris to the present time.

From an educational point of view the PVench regime in
Canada affords to the studious much interesting material for
thought, for in those days now long gone by, when civilization
was in conflict with barbarism, the efforts which were made
towards the founding of the first houses of education in Montreal
and Quebec were such as to excite our keenest admiration. It
may flatter our pride as Canadians to recollect that the first
Classical College founded in America was founded in 1636, one
year before the legislature of Massachusetts had decided upon the
establishment of Harvard.

..\

THE DOMINION EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

However instructive might be^the history of public instruction
in the Province of Quebec from the tifne^f Champlain to our own
day, it is my intention, nevertheless, to confine these remarks to
our own present Catholic school system and to make them as
concise as possible. Thus, I trust, shall I better fulfil the practi-
cal aims of this convention. I ask in advance your indulgence
while I use a language that is not my mother tongue.

The distinguishing characteristic of our school law is the
absolute liberty enjoyed by each of the two religiov^^ denomina-
tions of controlling its own schools, in keeping with the wishes of
the parents of the pupils in such a manner that Catholics, in
municipalities where they form the majority, cannot interfere with
the rights of Protestants, and vice versa. In this respect, of all
the school laws in the Dominion, ours may be considered as the
mooL perfect and best adapted to maintain religious harmony.

It must not be forgotten that there is but one school law for
the Province, that all schools, Protestant as well as Catholic,
are organized under this law. I do not make this remark for you,
gentlemen, but for the information of those persons who, not
having specially studied the organization of our schools, are
under the strange impression that the school law is not the same
for all in the Province of Quebec.

At the head of our Educational System is the Council, com-
posed of the Catholic Bishops and of an equal number ot Catholic
laymen, and an equal number of Protestants.

The Council is divided into two committees, the one consisting
of the Catholic and the other of the Protestant members. This
Council was first formed in 1859, and was compo'- i of eleven
Catholics and four Protestants. It existed until 1875, when the
DeBoucherville administration modified its constitution by dividing
it into two separate and independent committees, one Catholic, the
other Protestant. This change was made in order to remove any
possible cause of friction betwten the two religious denominations,
by giving to the Protestants, vho form the minority, the most
complete control over their own schools. In presenting this law,
M. de Boucherville proved himself a statesman of liberal and
enlightened views ; under its provisions, as well as previous to its
passage, the Protestant minority have been treated, not only with

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF QUEBEC—HISrORY AND ORGANIZATION. 3

struction
our own
marks to
them as
e practi-
duigence

w is the
jnomina-
ivishes of
lolics, in
fere with
:t, of all
;d as the
ony.

1 law for
Catholic,
c for you,
who, not
ools, are
the same

cil, com-
Catholic

onsisting
rs. This
3f eleven
tvhen the
' dividing
holic, the
nove any
linations,
the most
this law,
)eral and
ious to its
only with

justice, but with generosity, and no government has ever consider-
ed, much less proposed, a method to curtail in any manner the
privileges guaranteed them by the constitution. This law is a
monument of religious toleration, of which the Province of Quebec
is justly proud.

Each committee. Catholic and Protestant, has its meetings
separate, and it may fix the period and number thereof. It estab-
lishes its quorum, and appoints a chairman and a secretary.

Everything within the scope of the functions of the Council of
Public Instruction, which specially concerns the schools of Catho-
lics, is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Catholic Committee.
In the same manner, everything which specially concerns the
public instruction of Protestants, is within the exclusive jurisdic-
tion of the Protestant Committee.

The two Committees have made regulations which are almost
identical.

These regulations concern public schools, courses of study.
Normal School, the examination of candidates for the position of
inspector, the examination of candidates for teachers' certificates,
instruction, school houses, school furniture, the choice of text
books, etc.

The vSuperintkndknt.

There is a Superintendent of Public Instruction, named by the
Lieutenant-Governor in Council. He is chairman of the Coun-
cil, lie is also a member of each of the Committees, but he has
a right to vote only in the Committee of the religious faith to which
he belongs.

The Superintendent has charge of the Department of Public
Instruction, and in the exercise of his functions is bound to comply
with the directions of the Council of Public Instruction, or with
those of the Catholic or Protestant Committee, as the case may be.

The Superintendent draws up annually a detailed statement of
the sums required for public instruction, and submits it to the
Government ; he lays before the Legislature a report containing a
statement of what has been done with the amounts voted for edu-
cation ; an account of the actual state of education in the Province ;
statistics and information respecting educational institutions, and
in general respecting all subjects connected with literary and intel-
lectual progress.

THE DOMINION EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

The Schools.
The public schools are divided into elementary schools, model
schools, and academies. Some of the public schools are sa.d to
be "under control." the others are said to be " subs.d./ed.
"Schools under control" are those in which the teachers are
enL^ased and paid by the school commissioners or trustees.
- Subsidized schools " are those not under control, which receive
a grant from the Government or from school commissioners or

trustees. ... 11^ o.,ri

In order to interest the people more deeply in the schools, and
to give more unity and strength to the system, the legislature has
grafted it on to the parish organization, thus incorporating such
parish three times, (a) for church affairs, (b) for mun.c.pa affairs
(c) for school affairs. Generally speaking, therefore, each parish
is incorporated as a school municipality and has one or more
schools controlled by school commissioners, or by trustees in
municipalities where dissentient schools are established. School
municipalities are erected at the request of the interested parties,
by an order of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council.

The school commissioners and trustees in each municipality
form separate corporations, but any powers conferred, or any
duties imposed on school commissioners, apply also to school

trustees. , r r 1 ^..c

Boards of school commissioners are composed of five members,

and boards of trustees for dissentient schools of three. 1 hey are
elected for three years by the proprietors of real estate paymg
taxes or monthly fees. The formalities required for the election
of commissioners and trustees are somewhat similar to those
required for the election of municipal councillors.

All voters resident in the school municipality and the clergy-
men of all religious denominations ministering in it, are eligible

as commissioners or trustees.

Any election of school, commissioner or trustee may be con-
tested on the ground of violence, corruption or fraud.

For the municipalities in which no election of school com-
missioners or trustees has taken place within the time prescribed,
the Lieutenant-Governor may. upon the recommendation o the
Superintendent, appoint commissioners or trustees. I he duties

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF QUEBEC— HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION. 5

i, model
said to
jidized."
hers are
trustees.
I receive
oners or

3ols, and
iture has
\\\^ such
\\ affairs,
ch parish
or more
ustees in
School
d parties,

inicipality
i, or any
to school

members,

They are

te paying

le election

to those

he clergy-
re eligible

ly be con-

:hool corn-
prescribed,
tion of the
The duties

of school commissioners and trustees are numerous and important ;
they engage and dismiss teachers; see that the courses of study
approved by the Committees of the Council are followed; make
regulations for the government of their schools; fix the time of
the annual public examinations ; oblige the .Secretary-Treasurer
to keep his accounts and register according to instructions received
from the Superintendent; hear and decide disputes between the
parents, or children and teachers ; require that no other books be
used in their schools than those authorized by the Council of Pub-
lic Instruction or either of the Committees. However, the Cure
or priest administering a Catholic Church has the exclusive right
of selecting the books having reference to religion and morals for
the use of pupils of his religious faith, the Protestant Committee
having similar powers respecting Protestant pupils.

Furthermore, the school commissioners do whatever may be
expedient with regard to the buildings ; repairing, renewing, or
renting, if needs be, of school houses ; have the responsibility of
seeing that the school furniture is kept in repair or renewed ; cause
to be levied the taxes deemed necessary for the support of the
schools under their control ; may divide the municipality into
school districts, may change the limit of these districts ; may estab-
lish girls' schools distinct from boys' ; shall cause an annual census
of the children in the school municipality to be made, giving the
age of the children and the number of children actually attending
school ; shall in each year make two reports of their proceedings
to the Superintendent.

All decisions of school commissioners are entered in the min-
ute book of the board, and in certain specified cases ratepayers who
are interested, may appeal to the Superintendent from such
decisions.

The Superintendent may summon all parties to appear before
him, or he may delegate his powers to a school inspector or to any
other person whom he may choose, who then acts in his name and
reports to him. The decision of the Superintendent is final, but
he may from time to time repeal or modify it according to circum-
stances.

The principal cases in which an appeal to the Superintendent
is allowed, are : concerning school sites ; the limits of school dis-
tricts; the construction and repairing of school houses.

THE DOMINION EDUCATION A/. ASSOCIATION.

School Inspkctors.

The Inspectors of Catholic Schools are appointed by the Lieu-
tenant-Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Catholic
Committee of the Council of Public Instruction.

The duties of these School Inspectors are to visit the different
schoolsof their districts of inspection, to examine the pupils, to
inspect the accounts of the Secretary-Treasurer of each municipal-
ity, and to ascertain whether the provisions of the laws and
regulations respecting public instruction are carried out.

No person is eligible for the position of School Inspector unless
he has attained the age of twenty-five years, has obtained a dip-
loma authorizing him to teach, has successfully taught school
during at least five years, has passed successfully an examina-
tion upon his fitness and ability to fulfil the duties of the office.

The Inspectors are obliged to make full and exact reports to the
Superintendent on the state of the schools visited. In the autumn,
each School Inspector visits the different school municipalities of
his district, and in the most central part of each municipality he
delivers during two days, a series of lectures on the art of teaching.
In the spring, he pays his annual visit of inspection to each school
of his district cf inspection, examines the pupils in the different
subjects of the course of study, and forms an opinion of the value
of the methods of teaching followed by the teacher.

Boards of Examinkrs.

There is a central Board of Examiners for the examination of
candidates for teachers' diplomas. The diplomas granted by this
Board are of three grades: Elementary, Model School, and Acad-
emic. It is composed of ten members, appointed by the Lieuten-
ant-Governor in Council, upon the recommendation of the Catholic
Committee.

The examination is held in July of each year, at the places
prescribed by the Central Board.

It is the dutv of the Central Board to prepare the examination
questions in the different subjects prescribed ; to appoint deputy-
examiners under whose charge the examination at the local centres
will take place ; and to send the examination questions to the
different deputy-examiners.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF QUEBEC-HISTORY AND ORC.ANiy.ATION. 7

e Lieu-
catholic

lilYerent
pils, to
nicipal-
vvs and

r unless
J a dip-
school
*;amina-
office.

ts to the
lutumn,
lities of
ality he
jaching.
hi school
different
le value

ation of
i by this
id Acad-
Lieuten-
Catholic

e places

mination

deputy-

il centres

s to the

At the close of the examination, the candidates' answers are
forwarded to the Central Board ; they are read and valued by the
members, and diplomas ^-^ranted to those who obtain the number
of marks prescribed by the regulations.

This Central Board, and the Catholic Normal vSchools, alone
have power to grant diplomas valid for Catholic Schools.

DiSSKNTIKNT ScjKIOLS.

The laws on Public Instruction for the Province of Quebec
provide ample protection for the minority, and appear to be the
surest ^'•uarantee of the maintenance of harmony between citizens
holding different religious views. The clauses concerning dissen-
tient schools are a convincing proof of this fact. In the school law
a wise principle is embodied by which persons who cannot agree
while living together, may separate and live apart.

This principle is the basis of the following article of the law :
" If in any municipality, the regulations and arrangements
made by the vSchool Commissioners for the management of any
school are not agreeable to any number whatever of the proprie-
tors, occupants, tenants, or ratepayers, professing a religious faith
different from that of the majority of the inhabitants of such muni-
cipality, they may signify such dissent in writing, to the chairman
of the Commissioners."

They then organize themselves into a separate corporation and
elect a Board of School Trustees.

Thus, if in a school municipality the Catholics are the majority,
the Protestants, by simply giving notice of dissent, may organize
into a separate corporation ; on the other hand, if the Protestants
be the majority, the Catholics may dissent in the same manner ;
therefore, whether the minority be composed of Catholics or of
Protestants, they may, if they so desire, have separate schools.

The notice of dissent is made and signed in triplicate, and is
addressed to whom it concerns before the first or May. The elec-
tion of trustees is held during the month of July following.

If in any municipality the ratepayers belonging to the religious
denomination of the dissentients become the majority, they can
give written notice of their intention to organize themselves under
School Commissioners. In this case, the former majority become
the minority, and they may in turn give notice of dissent and elect
school trustees.

THE nOMISlON RnUCATIONAI. ASSOCIATION.

Dissentients are not liable for any school rates which may
he imposed by the School Ci)mmissioners. except for the payment
of debts incurred previous to the date of dissent. School rates
paid by Catholic ratepayers are expended on Caihohc schools ;
those paid by Protestants are expended on Protestant schools.

Any person belonK^in^ to the reliK^ious minority may at any
time become a dissentient, and any dissentient may. in like man-
ner, declare his intention of ceasing' to be a dissentient.

The minority in a school municipc.lity may unite in supporUng
a dissentient school, situated at any point in the municipality.

If there is no dissentient school in a municipality, and anyone
belon.nncr to the reli^nous minority, havinj; children of school a^rc,
may dissent, and support a school in an adjoining' municipality.

Normal Schools.
The most important subject of study at the Catholic Normal
Schools, is PedaK-OKT- 'I^he course of study also comprises the
following- subjects: religious instruction, reading, elocution, gram-
mar (French and English), composition, elements of mental and
moral philosophy, universal history, geography, arithmetic, book-
keeping, algebra, elements of geometry, mensuration, physics,
chemistry, natural history, agriculture, drawing, music, military

drill etc. »^ , , c- u 1

The diplomas are of three grades : Elementary, Model School.

and Academic.

There is a bursary fund for teachers-in-training.

There are t\v^o Practice Schools in connection with each Normal
School, one for boys, the other for girls, in which the teachers-
in-training learn the art of teaching under the immediate surveil-
lance of teachers in the boys' department, and of nuns in the girls
department, and under the direction of the Principal in both

departments.

CouRSKS OK Study.

Two courses of study have been authori/.ed by the Catholic
Committee: one specific, the subjects in which candidates for
teachers' diplomas must pass ; the other enumerates the various
subjects taught in the different grades of public schools.

These courses of study have been carefully prepared, and all
based on the programme of studies followed in France and in some
other countries.

CATHOLIC SCHO OLS OF iW£ff£C-H/SrOjfV AJVf) ORGANlZAriOS. U

ReliKMous instrucliDii holds the first place in the course, and it
is ^Mven in all the schools.

We «:ive below the siihjects in which it is necessary to pass, to
obtain each ^^rade of diploma :

For the HIementary Diploma : Re.idin.ir. ^rrammar, dictation,
writings composition, sacred history, history of Canada. K^eo^^ra-
phy, arithmetic, mental arithmetic, bookkeepin/^r, peda^^o^ry, apjri-
culture, school law, hygiene, manners, and drawin^r.

For the Model Diploma : In addition to the fore^'-oin^^ :
Literature, history of l< ranee, history of h! norland, al^^'bra, geom-
etry.

I I'or the Academy Diploma :— In addition to the fore^oin^^ :

Latin (optional), history of the United States, ^^eneral history,
cosmo^rraphy, trigonometry, physics, chemistry, natural history,
and philosophy.

A candidate who presents himself for a diploma authori/inn'
him to teach in both languages, must pass in I<rcnch and in I':ng-
lish in the following subjects: Grammar, dictation, literature,
composition ; he must, moreover, pass in translating French into
Fnglish. and wVct't'/'frt.

The Course of Studies for public schools is spread over eight
years. 'IMie first four years form the h:iementary course, the irfth
and sixth years form the Model School Course, and the last two
years the Academic Course.

The subjects taught in the Flementary Course are:— Religious
instruction, French and I^nglish, writing, arithmetic, geography,
history, drawing, and useful knowledge.

The subjects taught in the Model School Course are the same
as in the elementary course, and in addition, expressive reading,
recitation, bookkeeping, commercial correspondence, map draw-
ing, and object lessons.

The Academic Course contains, in addition to the foregoing:
The large catechism, the history of the Catholic Church, literature,
elocution, history of France, history of England, historv of the
United States, political economy, (in boys' schools), and domestic
economy, (in girls' schools), as well as knitting, sewing and
embroidery.

THE DOMINION EIVJCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Conclusion.
We have brieny K^ivcn tlie outlines of the Catholic School
System of the Province of Quebec. The first development of this
system dates from 1848. After the Act of the Union of the two
Canadas, Dr. Meilleur was named Superintendent of Education.
In the exercise of his difficult functions he displayed that energy
and patriotism for ^hich he v.as remarkable. At the very begin-
ning of his career he had to surmount obstacle after obstacle, but
he recei^^ed the support of the clergy, and of the majority of the

educated classes. .

School municipalities were organized ; schools were opened in
many localities, and the seed soon bore good :ruit. When, in
ii,5+, after vhirteen years of unremitting labor. Dr. Meilleur
resigned, considerable progress had been made. The number of
educational establishments of all kinds was 2.705, and the number
of pupils attending the-- 119-717. The second Superintendent
was the Honorable P. J. O. Chauveau. A man^f brilliant talents,
his nom: lation produced a marked effect on the people.

Following the suggestions which had been made in 1853 by a
committee of the Legislative Assembly, presided over by the Hon-
orable L. V. Sicotte, he introduce ' many reforms into our school
system. Among these, we may mention the foundation of our
present Provincial Normal Schools ; the increase of school inspec-
tors' salaries ; school inspectors to be chosen from among teachers ;
the publishing of the Journal of Education, and oi Journal dc /' In-
struction Publique, etc. _

In 1867, the Honorable Mr. Chauveau became Premier of the
Province of Quebec, but he did not immediately abandon the
control of the Department of Public Instruction.

In 1875, ihe Honorable G. Ouimet, who had succeeded the
Honrable P. Chauveau as Premier, became in his turn Suoerin-
tendent of Public Instruction, a position which he occupied with
honor to hims.^lf and advantage to the Province, for twenty years.
Durincr these twenty vears, education made gocd progress.

In''i895, the Honorable G. Ouimet resigned, and the author of
the present sketch was appointed Superintendent.

The progress of nublic instruction and the increase in the
number of schools during the past fifty years, have been eminently
satisfactory.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF QUEBEC -HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION. 11

: School
nt of this
f the two
ducation.
It energy
ry begin-
tacle, but
ty of the

opened in
^hen, in
Meilleur
lumber of
le numbt-;r
rintendent
mt talents,

1853 by a
y'the Hon-
our school
ion of our
ool inspec-
o- teachers ;
ml del' In-

Tiier of the
)andon the

;ceeded the

n Sunerin-

;upicd with

'enty years.

ress.

he author of

ease in the
n eminently

The clergy have cortributed in a great measure to achieve this
result.

The Province can boast of seventeen colleges founded and main-
tained by the clergy. The standard in institutions of secondary
and superior education is high ; many of the Professors have
studied in European Universities, and the courses given in our
institutions, we are convinced, are not inferior to any other courses
given in the Dominion.

The teaching orders of women having model schools and aca-
demies under their control have multiplied, and they impart to
their pupils an education both solid and brilliant.

These devoted women not only teach their pupils the different
subjects of the course of studies, but they refine their manners, and
inspire them with noble thoughts.

In these convents manual training is not neglected. The
statistics of 1896, show that in the model schools and academies
directed by Orders of Teaching, out of a total attendance of 37,337
children, 13,107 studied domestic economy, 16,772 learned knit-
ting, and 12,704 learned sewing and embroiderv.

The education of girls is certainly one of the serious questions
of the day, and parents in confiding their daughters to the Relig-
ious Orders of Teaching Women, will know that while their
intelligence will not suffer in the hands of these devoted and
skilful teachers, their characters will be formed by the practice of
every Christian virtue.

There are also Religious Orders of Men Teachers, whose estab-
lishments are increasing in number and importance from year to
year.

Since some years they have founded several Commercial Col-
leges, which are favorably known to the business world. These
Colleges are placed under the head of Academies in the Superin-
tendent's report.

The number of Brothers teaching in Elementarv and other

Schools, is 1 ,332

The number of Nuns is 2,512

The number of Laymen tca'^hing is 729

The number of Laywomen teaching is 5*859

Giving a total of ... . ■ 10.432

THE DOMINION EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

: \

; r

At Confederation the total number of children attending school
was 212,839. In i^97> the number had risen to 307,280.

The total number of Catholic Schools, including- under this
head Colleges and Universities, is 5848.

The average attendance of pupils enrolled in the Elementary
Schools is seventy per cent., and of pupils enrolled in Model
Schools and Academies, is eighty-three per cent.

Parents ardently desire to have their children educated, and we
are convinced that the school population has entered on an era of
intellectual progress which will keep pace with the material devel-
opment of the Province.

i'l