Education

The introduction of an elementary education

Up until the 19th century education was administered by the British churches. But the function of education enlarged. Following the Renaissance and the Reformation it was not confined to instructing only clerics anymore. The ‘Education Act’ of 1870 was only one step towards an elementary education, something the British people had demanded since the late 18th Century. After the formation of a ‘Committee of the Privy Council on education’ in 1839 this act ensured public education. Ten years later regular attendance was made obligatory. From now on children up until the age of ten were allowed to go to school. The discharge age was raised to the age of 14 almost 50 years later.

Higher education of women

Before the Reformation girls were educated exclusively by the church. Public schooling for girls did not exist until 1840/ 1850. At first the content of the education was very limited to basic skills.But the need for a more advanced and extensive education became more apparent. In reaction to that, the amount of teaching was raised and a system of lectures for older girls was created. In 1878 a huge step towards a higher education for women was taken when the University of London allowed women to attend lectures and earn degrees previously only available to men. In 1892 the Scottish Universities were from then on able to grant women the right to graduate. The biggest breakthrough happened in 1893 due to the ‘Royal Charta’. Women now had all privileges men were eligible for.

Sources

Phoebe, Sheavyn: Higher Education for Women in Great Britain.BiblioBazaar 2009.

Martin, Howard: Challenging History- Britain in the 19th century.Nelson Thornes, 1996.