After defining what was "meant by education," the principles of the system were laid down as follows:—
1. It should be universal.
2. It should be practical.
3. It should be founded on religion and morality.
4. It should develop all the intellectual and physical powers.
5. It should provide for the efficient teaching of the following subjects: Biblical history and morality, reading and spelling, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, linear drawing, vocal music, history, natural history, natural philosophy, agriculture, human physiology, civil government, political economy. Each of these topics was fully discussed and illustrated in the first part of the report.
The second part explained the machinery of the system, which was summarized as follows:—
1. Schools—their gradation and system.