Education Act 1877 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Education Act 1877
New Zealand Parliament
Date commenced	1 January 1878
Status: Repealed

The Education Act 1877 was a very important law in New Zealand. It created a new system for schools across the country after the old regional governments, called provinces, were removed. This law made sure that education would be free, compulsory (meaning children had to go to school), and secular (meaning it didn't teach about religion) for Pākehā children aged five to thirteen. It also set up twelve regional education boards to manage schools.

How Education Changed in New Zealand

Before 1877, different parts of New Zealand, called provinces, were in charge of their own schools. But on 1 January 1877, these provinces were removed. This meant the central government needed to take over education.

The new Education Act was inspired by the school system in Canterbury. This system was developed by William Rolleston. He helped Charles Bowen create this new law. The Education Act 1877 became law on 29 November 1877 and started on 1 January 1878.

This law was later replaced by the Education Acts Compilation Act 1904. That new law came into effect on 4 November 1904.

What the Act Did

The Education Act 1877 made primary school education free, compulsory, and secular for Pākehā children. This applied to children between five and thirteen years old.

However, compulsory education didn't always happen in real life. Especially in country areas, many children often helped with tasks at home instead of going to school. It's also important to know that compulsory primary school education for Māori children did not become law until 1894.

How Schools Were Organized

The Act created a system with different levels to manage schools.

• At the top, the Department of Education decided what children would learn. It also gave money to the twelve education boards.
• These twelve education boards then gave money to local school committees.
• Each school committee was responsible for its own individual schools.

The twelve education boards established by the Act were: