The regular course in normal schools is di vided into two sections: the first and the sec ond, and the latter may be omitted, should local circumstances make this advisable. Besides the regular course, a preparatory course•and a train ing may be provided.
The course of study in the first section ex tends over four years, for both male and female pupils. In the second section the course fqr men lasts for one year only, while that for women extends over one or two years.
Candidates for the first section must be graduates of the preparatory course, graduates of higher elementary schools of three years' courses, or persons of not less than 15 years of age, who have attainments equal or superior to those of graduates. Candidates for the second section, must be, in the case of male pupils, graduates of middle schools, or lads of not less than 17, who have attainments equal or superior to those of graduates. In the case of female pupils, if they wish to become candidates for admission to the Course in the second section, which extends over 2 years, they must either be graduates of high schools for girls provided with four years' courses, or they must be per sons not less than 16 years of age and possessed of attainments equal or superior to those of graduates. But if they wish to take the one year's course, they must either be graduates of a high school for girls with a five years' course, or be persons not b tlian 17 \ of age, and possessed of attainments equal r superior to those of graduates. But, for ! time being, even in the case of providing a one year course, graduates from high school. 'or girls, which had only four years' courst , id persons aged 16, or above, who have similar attainments to those of graduates, were to be admitted.
The object of the preparatory course is to give those pupils who wish to enter the first section of the regular eout,e, the necessary knowledge and training. The course of study lasts for one year. Applicants for admission must either be graduates of higher elementary schools having two years' courses, or be per sons possessed of attainments equal or su perior to those of graduates, and not less than 14. years of age.
The training course is of two kinds,. viz., the training course for elementary school teach ers, and the training course for kindergarten ers. The former is provided for the purpose of giving the necessary knowledge to those who have licenses as regular elementary schoOl teachers. Sometimes the training course may be provided for the purpose of training ordi nary elementary school teachers and regular teachers of sewing. Candidates for admission to the training course for assistant teachers of ordinary elementary schools, whose course ex tends over one year, must either be graduates of higher elementary schools with two years' courses, or be persons possessed of attainments equal or superior to those of graduates; while candidates for the courses for regular teachers in ordinary schools, and for regular teachers of sewing which extend over two years for the former, and over one year for the latter, must either have licenses as assistant teachers of ordinary elementary schools, or be possessed of attainments equal to those of assistant teachers. The course for kindergarteners fur
nishes knowledge and training necessary for those who wish to become kindergarteners, and for those who have the certificate of a icisuiez gartener.
Preparatory courses, training courses. or elementary school and kindergarten teach ers may be opened. Boarding and the school expenses are defrayed by the localities, and the boys after graduation have the obligation to serve as teachers in elementary schools for seven years; during the half of this term they must work in the school which the governor des ignates. For the girls, 'the time of service is shorter, being five years, during two of which they are tinder the same obligatious as boys in respect of working in a particular school to which the authority appoints.
The higher normal school is an institution designed to train teachers for the normal schools and the middle schools, including high schools for girls. The regular courses of study in. the higher normal schools consist of Japanese lan guage and Chinese literature, of English, of geography and history, of mathematics, of phys ics and chemistry, and of natural history courses. Besides the above courses preparatory and post-graduate courses may be established. The courses run for one year in the preparatory, three years in the regular and from one to two years and a half in the post-graduate. In some particular cases, special courses may be pro vided, to which elective pupils may be admitted. The special investigation course may also be provided. The applicants for admission for these schools must be graduates from the regu lar courses of either a normal school or a mid dle school. The governor of the locality rec ommends several candidates and the director of the higher normal school chooses out of them. The graduates who receive the whole school ex penses and board must serve for seven years, three years of which they must attend the schools to which the Minister of Education ap points them; those who receive part of their expenses, for five years, two of which are in the schools designated by the Minister; and those who have borne their own expenses, for three years.