Philo Philonos to Francis, November 22, 1871

Mr. Philonos to Mr. Francis.

Mr. Minister: In reply to the list of inquiries which you did me the honor to propose to me, I cheerfully make haste to send you the inclosed tables, in which will appear the number of common schools and Greek schools, the number of pupils attending them, and the number of teachers, as well as the number of professors and students in the national university.

• The common schools, for boys and girls, are supported at the expense of the commune, the government also rendering aid where it is needed. The children of the rich, or the moderately well-off, if they attend these common schools, pay for tuition from ten to fifty leptas a month. The poor pay nothing at all. The teacher receives the tuition-fees and a salary besides. In regard to the proportion of those knowing how to read and write, as compared with those not knowing, we have not yet received such full information that we could speak with certainty.
• Parents are required by law to send their children of the ages of seven to twelve years to the common school; but this law has not, thus far, been thoroughly enforced.
• In the gymnasia are taught the preparatory studies for the entrance into the university, such as the ancient Greek and Latin languages, mathematics, history of elementary philology, with geography, &c. In the Greek schools the studies are preparatory to entering the gymnasia. Attendance in the Greek schools and gymnasia is without charge, inasmuch as our higher education is sustained at the expense of the government.
• The university has four schools, those of theology, law, medicine, philosophy, and the school of pharmacy. The school of philosophy has two departments, mathematics and philology.
• We have no normal schools. There was one, and it was given up that it might be reorganized on a better basis. Since that time those who propose to be teachers receive their training in the public schools and gymnasia by a system of mutual instruction.
• There is only one agricultural school, at Tiryuth, in Argolis. This is conducted at the discretion of ministry of the interior.

Accept, minister, the acknowledgment and assurance of my distinguished consideration and esteem.