Technology in Schools
Nearly half of all childrren in Britain in 1837 did not go to school, and those who did barely learned to read or write. By 1880 education had become compulsory for children aged between 5 and 10 years and in 1891 education became free for this age-group. It’s a far cry from the schools full of apple macs and PCs that we see these days!
Prior to this, whether a child went to school depended largely on the income of the family. Wealthy parents sent their sons to large public schools and daughters were educated at home with governesses. Middle class children went to small private schools in their local towns. However, poor children were needed by their families to earn money. Industrial Britain of mines, factories and mills employed children as young as 4 and 5 years. Those children who were poor and homeless attended Ragged Schools which provided free basic education. Public schools focused on the classics, Greek and Latin language and literature in preparation for university and a profession. However, life could be tough in these schools, and because they weren’t funded by Government, they weren’t checked or regulated. Some were boarding schools where unwanted children stayed all year round.
Victorian reformers such as Dortoty Beale, pioneered the improvement of girls’ education by introducing academic subjects into the curriculum at State Board schools, and private grammar schools with no fees.
An accepted way of learning was by rote, with dictation, recitation and drill. The time-table was composed of the 3 R’s and Scripture. There were some practical lessons and an object lesson whereby the children examined an object such as a hairbrush, or wool or a candle, while the teacher read out facts about it.
In early Victorian times all sorts of buildings were used as schools. Public schools often had grand buildings, but schools for the poor were set un in church halls, people’s houses, and even in barns. After the 1870 Education Act more schools were built. Windows were set high up in the walls to prevent children from being distracted.
