(b) The technical institutes have as their scope to impart technical instruction of the second grade, that is, to furnish the instruc tion necessary to prepare the student for higher studies, to qualify him for certain professions and for positions in the government, in in dustry, commerce and agriculture. The course of study is, therefore, divided into several sec tions: a physico-mathematical course; survey ing; a commercial and bookkeeping course; a course in agriculture; an industrial course. Each of these is adapted to some special end, and for that reason differs from the rest in the character of the instructions imparted. The course of study in each branch lasts four years.
(c) The nautical institutes have as their object to give intermediate technical instruction to those who intend to dedicate their lives to navigation and maritime arts and industry. The nautical institutes include three branches: one for captains; another, machinists; and another for shipbuilding. Each branch comprises two courses: one of two years for sea-captains on larger coasting vessels; one for machinists and for naval construction of the second grade; another of three years for deep-sea captains, for high grade machinists and for naval aims struction of the highest grade. A preparatory course of two years, to which the elementary school certificate gives admission, precedes each of these courses.
Normal, or 'pedagogic instruction is im parted in the normal boys' schools, and in the normal and complementary girls' schools. 01 the former, 29 are under government control; of the latter, 78 are government schools. The normal boys' and girls' schools are of two grades, elementary and high school. In the lower grade the studies are with a view to obtaining the certificate of teacher of the first three elementary classes; in the higher grade the studies are carried on with a view to obtain ing a certificate as teacher of all of the five or six classes, and in the female department also a certificate as teacher or directress of a kindergarten. The course lasts three years for each grade. The complementary school course is also three years for each grade.
Other institutions of minor importance under government control are (a) the C,onvitti Nazionali, the aim of which is to give to young boys a moral, intellectual and physical education to make them worthy citizens. There are 43 such schools for boys, with over 4,000 boarders; (b) female institutes or female asy lums. These may be divided into three cite
gories: (1) Shelters to provide temporary as sistance for poor children, orphans, deserted children, etc.; (2) institutions for young girls of refined and wealthy families; (3) inisti (mixed schools) which partake to a certain ex tent of the nature of both.
3. Higher Universitier.
Higher instruction is imparted in the universi ties properly so-called, and in other special in stitutes resembling the universities in the char acter of their instruction. The Italian univer ity consists fundamentally of the faculty. The faculty comprises four chairs: Juris prudence; medicine and surgery; science — physics, mathematics and natural sciences; literature and philosophy. Certain schools may form an integral part of the university, or be annexed to it, as the following: Applied engi neering; agriculture; pharmacy; veterinary medicine; obstetrics. See STATISTICAL SUM' MARY.
The scholastic year begins in the universi ties on 16 October and ends on 31 July. Each university publishes an 'Annual,' in which, in addition to the list of names of professors and students, statistics, calendar and hours of study, there are printed the inaugural discourse of the academic year, and a catalogue of the works published during the year by the pro fessors and assistant professors.
The government of the university with its varying duties, always under the supervision of the Minister of the Interior, is in the hands of the following authorities: (1) The rector; (2) the academic council; (3) the presidents of faculties and directors of schools; (4) the council of the faculty; (5) the general assem bly of the professors.
There are three distinct classes of instruc tors: (1) Official instructors (in ordinary and extraordinary); (2) teachers in charge; (3) unattached, or private teachers.
In conformity with the law of 12 June 1904, No. 253, the appointment of professors in or& nary and extraordinary is, with two unim portant exceptions, by competitive examination.
The appointment of those professors who give instruction in certain higher branches is only for one scholastic year, but may be re newed.
The official teachers (in ordingry or extraor dinary) may hold private or outside classes; also the associate doctors and those who have qualified as unattached teachers.