5. EDUCATION. As reformed in March 1916, this comprises six divisions: Pri mary (four years), Intermediate (two years), Secondary (five years), Normal (four and seven years), and Higher education (from five to seven years). The sixth division includes Industrial, Commercial and Education of the Abnormals and is called Special Education. Agricultural education is partly controlled by the universities and partly by the Department of Agriculture. Public education is free throughout.
Primary schools are the con cern of state (provincial) authorities. The ex ceptions are: the control of the primary schools of the Federal city of Buenos Aires by the National Board of Education, and a sys tem of subsidies by the Federal government for the benefit of certain provinces whose finances are not equal to the needs of primary education. In 1894 there were 3,000 primary schools, public and private, which increased during the next 20 years to 7,877 schools; like wise did the teaching force of these schools grow from 7,800 to over 26,000 teachers, 80 per cent of whom are women. The pupils at tending the primary schools in 1894 numbered 280,000, whereas in 1914 the attendance in creased to 900,000 pupils. The expenditures incurred for the maintenance of the schools rose sixfold. Population increased less than twofold during that period.
Secondary education was originally shaped after European models, but the schools are already responding to the mod ern demands of democracy. From mere pre paratory institutions for the university they are fast becoming schools of advanced education to an increasing number of men and women. In 1894 the students in secondary colleges num bered 3,000, which number rose to 10,000 in 1914, the expenses being increased from $400, 000 to $2,500,000. There are 33 of such lyce ums (16 in 1894) eight of which are in the city of Buenos Aires (only one in 1894). Secon dary education is not compulsory.
Normal schools are for primary teachers and for secondary teachers. There are also special institutions for teachers of modern languages and of physical training. Normal schools for primary teachers numbered 70 in 1914 (10 of which were in the city of Buenos Aires) with an enrolment of 8,970 students, about six times those enrolled 20 years before. They offer a four-year general
course followed by a three-year special course leading to the professor's diploma. Teachers graduating from normal schools are eligible for positions of $900 a year. Principals get from $1,250 to $1,500. After 25 years teachers may retire with 95 per cent of their salary, provided it has been earned during four years and also that the candidate is more than 45 years old. Normal schools for secondary teach ers offer courses in different specialties besides the general courses. Graduates who secure po sitions as teachers in secondary schools get from $800 to $3,600. Salaries of principals vary from $2,500 to $4,000 a year. Both teach ers and principals also retire with the 95 per cent of their last salary, but only after 30 years' work the remaining conditions being equal.
Minor terms of special study are required for qualification for the professions of chemist, midwife, dental surgeon, surveyor and architect.
The University of C6rdoba is composed of the school of medicine, the school of engineer ing and the school of law, in connection with the National Academy of Sciences.
In order to follow his profession in the country, the professional graduate of a foreign university is obliged to prove his ability by means of an examination before some Argen tine university.
Technical education also is encouraged by the national and provincial governments. Prominent among those of the first category are the national industrial schools, similar in type to the manual training high schools in the United States, although the courses cover six years and afford speciali zation in engineering, architecture, chemistry and mechanics. Other technical schools of a vocational type provide training in the various trades. There are about 15 trade schools for girls also under the control of the national gov ernment giving instruction in dressmaking, em broidery, millinery, flower, lace and glove mak ing, metal work, telegraph operating, drawing, painting and industrial arts. Several provinces also have established schools similar to these.