Some aspects of education in Wellington in the provincial period, 1853-1876

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to study the factors influencing the growth of education within the Wellington province during the Provincial period. It is not intended that all aspects should be covered thoroughly; hence some topics have been lightly treated, e.g. provision for native education, and the attempts in Parliament to pass the 1877 Education Act. Rather has emphasis been placed on the attitudes, ideals and attempts of the settlers to secure some kind of education for their children. What did the Provincial Council do for education? What were the obstacles? What were some of the issues discussed at the time? To what extent did the Provincial Government fail or succeed in its efforts? Such questions will form the basis for this study together with a brief description of the conditions of schooling and the status of the schoolmaster. Although the period to be studied is from 1853 to 1876, a brief description of earlier educational attempts has been included as well as a brief outline of education in England at this time. This has been considered necessary as the background to the period provides a guide to the motives and actions of people in later days in Wellington.