User:Nach0king/Education Act 1696

The Education Act of 1696, also known as the "Settling of the Schools" act, was a law passed by the Parliament of Scotland ordering the establishment and maintenance of schools in every parish in Scotland where schools did not already exist.

This served as as the main education law in Scotland until it was replaced by the Education Act of 1872.

First national system of education in the world acording to some sources NOTE: NOT COMPULSORY EDUCATION. It was national but kids didn't have to go, although poor kids' schooling was sometimes provided for and as such they were expected to go. First national edu. system since Sparta.

Context
See Education in Scotland for further details.

The 1696 act followed a series of previous laws designed to govern education in Scotland. The Education Act of 1633 had much the same goals, but failed due to tax loopholes; closed loopholes in 1646 with Covenanter principles governing the schools (role of the Presbytery?); reversion to 1633 after the Restoration. Several areas in the Highlands lacked schools. National system of education needed - why?

1696 act mandated creation of schools everywhere in the country, salary: http://heritage.scotsman.com/ingenuity.cfm?id=131102006 (Paid by the tax on "heritors"; kirk session would pay the rest? Kirk's role was strong in the early days --Role of philanthropy? See Scotsman article - did they only donate to private schools?)

Effects of the law
Education nationwide.

Catholic and Episcopalians soon made their own schools.

Scottish Enlightenment? Hume, Smith - educated in Scotland

Literacy rates - any way to find out? Did they rise?

Rise of English as the lingua franca?

Education Act 1872
WHY was the 1696 law superceded?

The Education Act of 1696 continued to be enforced until 1872, when a new act mandating compulsory education was introduced. This new law also brought the schools under state control, ending the Kirk's domination over Scottish education.