ABSTRACT
The name of the primary or elementary schools of Germany—Gemeinde, or communal schools—tells their origin. The local administration of the primary schools is vested in bodies more or less representative in character—usually known in Prussia as School Deputations, in Saxony as School Committees, and in South Germany as School Commissions. In many towns a serious attempt is made by the school authorities to open wide the doors of the higher schools to talent wherever found. In Berlin and other towns full or half exhibitions in the higher schools are systematically offered to elementary scholars who have given proof of capacity, diligence, and good behaviour. The towns have been equally enterprising in providing continuation and technical schools. The budgets of most large and many small German towns contain an item, greater or less according to local circumstances, which is intended to cover "provision for the intellectual life of the town".
