The government exercises regular supervi sion over schools receiving the subsidy. Each year they must send to the ministry for ap proval of their accounts, their budgets for the ensuing year, and any changes in their organiza tion or in their programs. The supervision of these schools is most efficient. An inspector general of industrial and trade education is at the head, and under him is an expert corps of inspectors. Inspections are also made by such provincial or communal authorities as aid in the support. Religious bodies, industrial organiza tion and private individuals also help these schools. Some of the schools give free instruc tion, some require an entrance fee, and others charge for tuition. Students who are too poor to pay for instruction or to attend even when it is free are aided in various ways.
The difference 'between a manual training and a trade course is very marked in Belgium. The trade schools may differ in characteristics, but they all keep strictly in view the fact that they are preparing students to earn a living in some particular branch of industry. Drawing and industrial design are at the base of all in struction for girls as well as for boys, and are taught with•reference to their use in particular trades. A practical general education is also considered a necessary part of the instruction in the trade, and usually occupies the first half of the day. Libraries, museums, collections of scientific apparatus for demonstration, public exhibitions, and provision for traveling schol arships are means used to develop the highest efforts of students.
The provision made for teaching girls is very thorough.. The Trade Schools proper (ecoles professionnelles) have programs in theoretical as well as in practical work. There are at least 50 of them in the kingdom. The aim is to teach such trades as are open to girls, and at the same time to carry forward the reg ular school education. The trades taught are dressmaking and cutting, waistcoat- and corset making, fine lingerie, millinery, artificial flower making, industrial drawing and ornamentation, embroidery, designing for lace and embroidery, and painting on glass, china or silk. Commer cial courses are also given. The general course, which is compulsory, includes the French and Flemish languages, arithmetic, history, geog raphy, hygiene and domestic economy, writing, drawing, singing and gymnastics. The instruc tion is excellent and has been especially adapted to the trades and to the needs of women in their households. A high place is given to domestic economy in Belgium. Its full development is
in the housekeeping schools (ecoles menageres), but some of it is required in the trade schools also. The trade courses for girls vary in dif ferent schools according to the needs. The length of the course is usually three or four years, but five years are sometimes required.
The pioneer trade school for girls in Bel gium is the Bishoffsheim, 94 Rue de Marais, Brussels, established in 1865. The age of en trance is 12 years, and the length of the course is four years. The trade courses are numerous and well taught. The courses in drawing, in cluding designing for lace embroidery and gar ment decoration, painting on glass, porcelain, china, fans and textiles, and the dressmaking and the artificial flowermaking are especially notable. The reception room at this school is decorated with fine examples of porcelain tiles and china painting, and the windows are of stained glass, this work all having been done by graduate students. The Communal Trade School for Girls on the Rue du President. Brussels, is noted for the fact that each of the trade instructors is also the teacher of the course in design in connection with the trade. The course in embroidery and applied design is especially fine. Another Brussels communal school on the Rue du Poincon, 26, noted for its dressmaking and commercial courses, and the Antwerp School, Rue des Architects, with its five-year courses in some of the trades, are also examples of the excellent professional training for girls in Belgium.
An advanced trade course of one year for dress designers, dressmakers and intending teachers in trade schools is given in Brussels, a study of the evolution of dress in all countries being a notable part of the work.
The Trade-Housekeeping Schools (ecoles professionnelles-menageres) ands the housekeep ing-trade schools (ecoles menageres-profession nelles) are also giving more or less time to trade work.
Apprentice Shops for teaching trade work to girls are not numerous, but are doing good work. They were opened in response to local needs rather than as a part of regular trade instruction. One of their distinguishing fea tures is that the students after a time receive financial remuneration for their work. There are several of these schools, as the one at Bas senge for straw plaiting and straw-hatmaking; at Jemelle for lingerie and dressmaking; at Maldeghem for 'hand and machine embroidery and crochet work on tulle, and at Saint Trond for lacemaking.