The Liberals in Office

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(No Transcript)
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Learning Outcomes

• What reforms were introduced to help the young
• How successful/limited were these reforms
• Significance of reforms

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The Young

• As education was now compulsory, it was clear
  many children were coming to school hungry, dirty
  and suffering from ill health

http//www.ourwardfamily.com/children_of_the_1800'
s.htm
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The Young

• http//www.learningcurve.gov.uk/snapshots/snapshot
  29/snapshot29.htm

• Efforts to provide school meals can be traced
  back to the 1860s
• Arguments in favour were feed the stomach then
  the mind

Margaret McMillan
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Changing Attitudes

• due to the physical decline of the population
  highlighted by the Boer war
• national efficiency had to start at schools
  with regular inspections

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The education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906

• Not a liberal initiative.
• Labour proposed Private Members Bill Libs saw
  it was popular, supported it and passed as
  legislation.
• Gave voluntary rights to local education to
  provide free school meals.
• Either in conjuction with voluntary bodies or on
  their own(received 50 grant)

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The education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906

• 14 million school meals provided in 1914
• parents were charged if they could afford it
• due to large numbers receiving a public funded
  welfare service run by the board replaced
  charitable efforts

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The education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906

• Drawbacksonly voluntary, only half the education
  authorities by 1914 were providing the service
• As a result the government made it compulsory in
  1914
• Difficult to say who deserved a school meal as a
  result provided free to all children
• Move away from self-help

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Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907

• Initiated by Robert L Morant, secretary of the
  Education board
• Government not enthusiastic because it knew
  inspection would reveal chronic health problems
• Small step towards healthcare for all

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Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907

• Two parts (a) compulsory medical inspections at
  schools, and (b) free medical treatment
• Drawback of part (b)- not compulsory, therefore
  ignored
• Made compulsory in 1912, provided grants and
  school clinics

A young girl selling shrimps in London 1880s
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Free Places scheme (1907)

• Secondary schools were required to reserve a
  quarter of their places, free of charge, for
  children from elementary school.
• Idea was to provide an academic education for
  gifted working class children.

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Free Places scheme (1907)

• In practice, few took up the offer
• Their income was more important to the majority
  of families, than an education which they might
  not be able to use.

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Children Act, 1908

• Creation of Liberal member, Herbert Samuel
• Brought together earlier laws to cover all
  aspects of care of children
• Became known as Childrens charter

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Children Act, 1908

• Alcohol/tobacco sales oulawed
• Remand homes/borstals/ probation officers
• Protected children from abuse
• Marked major intervention in the lives of people
  by the government

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Marie Hilton Creche Cots, London, 1900 (Rich)
Alexandra Orphanage Bedtime, London, 1900 (poor)
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Why were the Acts important?

• Important in showing how the state was increasing
  its role in the lives of children
• Move away from self help

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Activity

• Describe the reforms introduced by the Liberal
  government for the young (4)
• Explain why the liberals introduced reforms for
  the young (4)