History of Education

History of Education

Introduction education Studies by Bartlett, S and Burton, D

In this essay I will summarise a few of the major phases in the history of education from 1800- present time.

In 1800-1870, many poor children received little or no education, until state education was introduced. The first types of schooling, in 1800 were poor schools’ run by the churches, tailor made for working class children. The focus was based on basic education, reading writing and arithmetic. In addition to church schools, there were dame schools run by unqualified women, charging a small fee. Monitorial schools concentrated on rote system with an instructor. The major problem with this system was it grouped individual together regardless of their ability.

As a result of the lack of improvement in schools in 1833 the government introduced voluntary aided ragged schools formed by John Pounds and governed by elected boards. His rationale was to provide free education for the masses. Lord Shaftesbury agreed with Johns Pounds principles, but his stance was to educate and change the behaviour of working class people. The upper class backgrounds were educated in a totally different way from working class they attend public schools such as Eaton, Harrow and could afford to pay for private education.

The primary aim of Foster Elementary Education Act 1870 was to improve inadequate schools. Foster obtained funding from state boards and schools were now managed by elective boards. Some working class children between the ages of 5-13 had the opportunity to attend school, depending upon their financial situation. The government wanted to transform society into literate and numerate people because of the industrialisation. The Church of England wanted to continue to have sole control of poor schools, they didn’t fulfil with the governments legislation. This Act gave all men in households the vote. Opposition came from upper class citizens who contested education for the working class...

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