Wh

ynot have a Congress of our own

x } | } x . Beets FT.
&2DS 282 GUD GY 54S

| The BRirct Trades Tlniom Congress
Ske we |

“A London School-Board capture, 2.40 a.m.", says the caption to this contemporary
drawing of school-children being rounded up in 1871—one year after the passing of the
Forster Education Act, introducing State education.

The advent
of State |
education... .

WITH THE Education Act of 1870, 1
State tentatively began the process
assuming responsibility for the
mentary education of children of pare
who could not afford to pay for it.
provided for the setting up of Sch
Boards, elected by ratepayers, in dist
where the local children were |
adequately catered for by the volunté
schools there available. The
Boards were required to create en OU
Board schools to fill the gaps.

Many Churchmen revolted at the i
of Board Schools and the undenomi
tional education which went with tht
But a Board School was reckoned by
mass of poorer parents to be a great ¢
better than no school. Later, by an
of 1876, education was made legi
compulsory for children up to the
of twelve; and in 1898 Congress pats
a resolution in favour of equa
Opportunity in education. This f

eee the provision of school m
: the abolition of the half-time sys
ils in a Seven Dials Board Sc 7 ix y isi i ft

Re a Te sa ie he cna ma
ed tre g Of teachers,