In 1870 Mr. Forester, a member of Mr. Gladstone's Liberal Cabinet
(SS534, 601), succeeded in passing a measure of the highest
importance, entitled The Elementary Education Act. This act did not
undertake to establish a new system of instruction, but to aid and
improve that which was then in use. In the course of time, however,
it effected such changes for the better in the common schools that it
practically re-created most of them.
It will be remembered that before the Reformation the Catholic
monasteries took the leading part in educating the children of the
country (SS45, 60). The destruction of the monasteries by Henry VIII
(S352) put a stop to their work; but after Henry's death, his son,
Edward VI, established many Protestant schools (SS364, 365), while
tohers were founded by men who had grown suddenly rich through getting
possession of monastic lands. These new schools did good work, and
are still doing it; but they seldom reached the children of the poor.
Later on, many wealthy persons founded Charity Schools to help the
class who could not afford to pay anything for their tuition. The
pupils who lived in these institutions (of which a number still exist)
were generally obliged to wear a dress which, by its peculiarity of
cut and color, always reminded them that they were "objects of public
or private benevolence." Furthermore, while the boys in these
institutions were often encouraged to go on and enter Grammar Schools,
the girls were informed that a very little learning would be all that
they would ever need in the humble station in life to which Providence
had seen fit to call them.
Meanwhile, the Church of England, and other religious denominations,
both Catholic and Protestant, established many common schools (1781-
1811) for the benefit of the poor. The cost of carrying them on was
usually met by private contributions. All of these schools gave some
form of denominational religious instruction. As the population
increased many more schools were required. At length Parliament began
(1833) to grant money to help the different religious societies in
maintaining their systems of instruction. When able, the parents of
the children were also called on to pay a small sum weekly. In 1870
the Liberal Government took hold of the education question with great
vigor. It provided that in all cases where the existing Church of
England or other denominational schools were not able to accomodate
the children of a given district, School Boards should be established
to open new schools, which, if necessary, should be maintained
entirely at the public expense. In these "Board Schools," as they
were called, no denominational religious instruction whatever could be
given.
This very important act "placed a school within the reach of every
child," but, except in very poor districts, these schools were not
made free schools; in fact, free schools, in the American sense,
cannot be said to exist in Great Britain. Later on (1880) compulsory
attendance was required, and subsequent acts of Parliament (1902,
1904) transferred the management of these schools from the School
Boards to the Town and County Councils.[1] Again, these new measures
make it practicable for a boy or girl, who has done well in the
primary course, to secure assistance which will open opportunities for
obtaining a higher education. Thus, as a recent writer declares,
"There is now a path leading from the workman's home even to the
University."[2]
[1] But many men and women who belong to the Dissenting Denominations
complain that the Educational Acts of 1870-1904 compel them to pay
taxes for the support of a great number of public elementary schools
which are under the control of the English Church, and furthermore,
that teachers who are members of Dissenting societies, such as the
Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, etc., can seldom, if ever, get
appointments in the class of schools mentioned. Quite a number of
these Dissenters who call themselves "Passive Resisters" have refused
to pay the school tax and have had their property seized or have been
sent to jail year after year.
[2] A.L. Lowell's "The Government of England," II, 323.
Meanwhile (1871) the universities and colleges, with most of the
offices and professorships connected with them, were thrown open to
all persons without regard to religious belief; whereas, formerly, no
one could graduate from Oxford or Cambridge without subscribing to the
doctrines of the Church of England.