COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS


On Saturday the annual distribution of prizes and certificates, awarded to pupils in schools at the last Christmas examination, took place in the theatre of the University of London, Burlington-gardens, by permission of the Chancellor and Senate; the Rev. Dr. Butler, Head Master of harrow, presiding. The theatre was full of pupils and their friends. The total number examined amounted to 1,242, being an increase of 40 per cent. on the precceding Christmas examinations. Of these 900 were boys and 340 girls. ....

The following is the list of prizes;
1st classics - H.W. Wombill (Mr. Lowson, M.A., Clarendon House, Kennington Road);
....
1st general proficiency - H.W. Wombill (Mr. Lowson, M.A., Clarendon House, Kennington Road);
...

The Chairman, previous to the ditribution, said it appeared to him that the work which the College of Preceptors had for years proposed to accept was one of great educational importance and entitled to the hearty sympathy and support of all those who took an interest in the extension of education. It seemed to him that there were two principal works by which the College of Preceptors had earned itself the gratitude of those who were interested in the work of education. In the first place, it attached very great value to the training of teachers; and, secondly, it endeavoured to stimulate the industry and energy of a variety of schools in almost every part of the kigndom. (Hear, hear.) He was one of those who believed that the advantages of competitive examination were in danger of being seriously exaggerated. (Hear.) He though that there was a distinct tendency at the present time to idolatry of what could be done by competition, marking special reference to the competition for Indian appointments, which he thought had been pushed to an extreme point. From what he knew of the system pursued by the College of Preceptors, it did not appear that they had pushed the principle of competition too far, but only to a point which had made it useful for the teachers themselves, the parents, and the children. The prizes were not merely to be valued for themselves but as symbols of the stimulus and vigour created by the competition, and it was worthy of remark that the honours obtained by the girls were more numerous in proportion thatn those of the boys. A vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by the Rev. Dr. jacob, and seconded by Mr. Mason, conclued the proceedings.


Source: Daily News (London, England), Monday, January 27, 1873; Issue 8347

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