Education Act 1944

Abstract

Although the Education Act, 1944, is entitled simply “ An Act to reform the law relating to Education in England and Wales ” the effect of its 122 section? and 9 schedules is to render obsolete every work on tins law relating.to education which has ever been written. The Act is the first step in the Government’s programme of-post-war reconstruction and reform, and Mr. R. A. Butler, who is now the first Minister of Education, is to be congratulated heartily on piloting his Bill through Parliament in so satisfactory a manner. \t may well be said that no-Education Bill since the creation of the national system of education in' 1870 Itas had to go smooth a passage; in spite,of the expected storms pf opposition and dissension which at one time seemed likely to arise not only on the religious-issues, but also the proposal to abolish the 169 “ Part III " authorities and to .coricentrate, the .administration of education in the hands of the county and county bo'rough councils. On the religious question, there is little to say. The religious provisions oi the Act appear, at least to a mere administrator, as a fair compromise-between the various interests involved, though," as is inevitable with a compromise’ no one has bc^n completely satisfied. From an administrative point of'view the change from a “ dual ” system to one in. which there are four types of school, county, aided, special agreement and controlled, each-with their peculiar rights and duties, to say nothing of “ transferred” and “ substituted” schools'and “ schools for displaced pupils ", means a considerable increase in the complexity of the administrative arrangements. One can only hop"e that, this will b.e justified by a rapid improvement in the .schools.