A number of years ago, the department of education held uniform leaving examinations at the end of the courses of each main division of the secondary schools. As a consequence, however, of the evils associated with so much uniformity, these examinations have been dis continued and the department itself holds only those that are necessary for teachers' certifi cates. It continues, however, to conduct through a matriculation board, representing the universities of the province, the uniform ma triculation examination prescribed by these universities.
The following statistics set forth the general condition of the high and continuation schools; Total number of high schools (1918), 162, of which 47 are collegiate institutes and 76 are free. Number of teachers, 1,051, of whom 763 are university graduates, and 507 hold honor degrees or the equivalent. Highest salary, $3,500; average for principals, $1,884; for as sistants, $1,412. Number of pupils, 28,833 (1917). Total •amount expended during the year 1916, $2,488,254, of which $1,509,227 was for the sal aries of teachers. Cost for each pupil (on aver age attendance), $109.22. Total number of con tinuation schools (1918), 137, with 241 teachers, of whom 77 are university graduates. Highest salary, $2,000; average for principals, $1,117 • for assistants, $778; total number of pupils, 5,082 (1917). Total amount expended for continua don schools in 1916, $306,148; of which sum $224,464 was expended for teachers' salaries. Cost per pupil (on average attendance), $82.09.
The public secondary school system is so efficient and so popular with all classes that there are only a few private schools. Of these the chief is Upper Canada College (which, however, is only semi-private), an old historic residential and day school at one time under government control, but now under a board of governors partly nominated and partly elected by the Boys, the state connection being maintained through the Minister of Education, who is an ex-officio member. This college has still a small endowment, but is supported chiefly by fees. It does general and university matriculation work for boys, and is attended by pupils from all parts of the Dominion and even from the United States. Besides colleges for young women, some of which take up the same courses as the high schools, there are a few tither colleges for boys, doing general work and that•for university matriculation. Of these, the
most important are Saint Andrew's College, Toronto; Bishop Ridley College, Saint Cathar ines; Trinity College, Port Hope, and the De La Salle Institute, near Toronto. A few also have mixed classes, the chief being Albert Col lege, Belleville, at one time a university, but now affiliated with the University of Toronto (q.v.), which, provides courses of various kinds and grades, as far as the end of the university work of the first year. With very few excep tions, all the private schools are connected with religious denominations.
The courses of study are the same for the different grades of public secondary schools: the general courses, the courses for admission to the professional schools for teachers, the courses for matriculation into the universities. The evolution of the content of the general courses during the last 10 years has proceeded on modern lines; vocational and prevocational courses have been duly provided in connection with the high and continuation schools and in separate establishments.
There are 86 manual training centres and 84 household science centres attended by 14,130 boys and 13,552 girls from the fourth grade (seventh and eighth years) of the public schools and the first two years of the high schools. These centres are well equipped and liberal grants are made by the Department of Educa tion on the usual bases: salaries, equipment, ac commodations, with minimum fixed grants. In 1915 the total amount of the legislative grant was $30,200. In 1913 agriculture was intro duced into the secondary schools as an optional course covering two or four years. At present 21 schools carry on the work, most of them, however, attempting only the two years' course. These schools also are generously aided by both the Dominion and the Ontario Govern ment.
The Industrial Act of 1911 provides for a system of industrial and technical schools with courses as follows: Day schools: General in dustrial schools for subjects basal in the trades; special industrial schools for particular trades; technical high schools and high school courses; part time co-operative industrial courses for apprentices; schools for instruction in the fine arts. Evening schools for day workmen and workwonien.