The Contemporary Review (Volume 111) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1917. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... A NATIONAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES. AT a time when much is expected from a new President of the Board of Education, and when the thoughts of many are being directed more than they ever were before to our future educational necessities, it is perhaps not inopportune to take a brief survey of recent efforts which have been made, and the progress which has already been attained by the Board of Education and Local Education Authorities. Such a survey may enable us better to realise what steps should now be taken to create a really satisfactory National System of Education. The three years prior to the war were occupied by the Board of Education in preparing proposals which would provide such a system. Efforts were made to collect and collate materials gathered from every available source, and to ascertain the views of representative education authorities and reliable experts. The whole of the information thus obtained, added to the knowledge already in the possession of the Board, was carefully analysed and considered, and a Government Bill was prepared, which it was intended to press through Parliament during the autumn of 1914. The outbreak of war, however, prevented the Government from then proceeding with the measure. It is now hoped that these proposals, reviewed by the new Government, in the light of recent events and the experience of the war, may be pressed forward, and there seems to be no reason why anything less progressive need now be attempted than it was intended to bring forward in 1914. The enquiries then made disclosed the fact that only about one in ten of the population on leaving the elementary school proceeded to take advantage of any further opportunity to continue their education. In a few months many children seemed to forge...