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is not compulsory, 60 per cent. of the graduates of ordinary primary schools pass to the higher primary schools.

A municipal or rural community is under obligation to establish and maintain one or more primary ordinary schools, sufficient in equipment to admit children of school age residing in its jurisdiction. The establishment of higher primary schools is not obligatory. In 1902 the total expenses of cities, towns and villages for primary schools amounted to £2,981,574.

No ordinary primary school established by a city, town, or village, may exact a fee from its pupils, unless under special circumstances, and subject to the approval of the local Governor. The amount of this fee shall not exceed 20 sen (5d.) a month in the case of a school existing in a city, and 10 sen in the case of a school established by a town or village, or a town or village school union. For a higher primary school the amount shall not exceed 60 sen a month in the case of a municipal school, and 30 sen in the case of a rural school. Most of the primary schools are established by municipal and rural communities, those founded by private individuals being few in number. Primary schools established by churches do not number more than ten throughout the country. In 1902 the number of primary schools was 28,381, with 4,980,604 pupils, including 6,351 higher primary schools with 948,777 pupils.

There are three classes of teachers for primary schools: the regular teachers, qualified to teach all the subjects in the regular course; assistant teachers; and those who have to undertake the teaching of special subjects, such as drawing, singing, gymnastics, sewing, English, agriculture, commerce, or manual work: these are called special teachers. All teachers must be provided with a license, but when it is difficult to engage licensed teachers, those not possessing a license may be employed for the time being.

The appointment and dismissal of teachers lie with the local Governor upon the recommendation of the head of a ‘gun’ or city.

The salary of teachers for primary schools established by a city, town, or village, is not less than 25s. nor more than £10 a month. An additional sum for rent may be granted, such expenses being borne by cities, towns, or villages. There is also a law concerning an additional allowance from the national Treasury to teachers for long and meritorious services. A teacher who has been employed for more than fifteen years receives a life pension, and his family is also pensioned after his death. In 1902 the primary school teachers numbered 102,700, of whom 22,225 were unlicensed teachers.

The object of secondary schools is to provide instruction in such higher subjects of general education as are necessary for boys of the middle class.