Education Act 1696
Encyclopedia
The Education Act 1696 was an Act of the Parliament of Scotland
(1696 c.26) that ordered locally funded, Church-supervised schools to be established in every parish in Scotland
. It was passed by the Parliament at Edinburgh
on 8 September 1696 in the reign of William II
, titled "Act for settling of schools." The act stated that for every parish without a school and paid schoolmaster:
The ongoing Episcopalian
-Presbyterian
power struggle had been decided, so school supervision henceforth would be by presbyteries (as per the Presbyterian view; the Episcopalian view was supervision by bishop
s). This act had the same purpose as similar acts in 1633 and 1646, and was in fact a repeat of the Education Act 1646
, with little but the wording changed to reflect the more modern (ie, 50 years later) times.
The act was effective in establishing schools and fostering education throughout the Protestant
areas of Scotland, and would remain the basis for Scottish education until the reforms of 1872, although a later act
(in 1803, 43 Geo. III c. 54) would increase the schoolmaster's salary and modernise the language.
The act was not effective elsewhere, as it was used only as a tool in an effort to wipe out Gaelic (the obliteration of the Highlands
language was a stated goal of the Act of Privy Council dated 10 December 1616
). That government policy towards the Highlanders was not different at the time of this act is exemplified by the contemporary "Act and remit in favour of the synod of Argyll" of 12 July 1695, which authorised military action to collect assessments made for the "erecting of English schools for rooting out of the Irish language, and other pious uses".
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
(1696 c.26) that ordered locally funded, Church-supervised schools to be established in every parish in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It was passed by the Parliament at Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
on 8 September 1696 in the reign of William II
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
, titled "Act for settling of schools." The act stated that for every parish without a school and paid schoolmaster:
- a school will be founded and a schoolmaster appointed with the advice of the heritorHeritorHeritor, was a privileged person in a Parish in Scots Law. In its original acceptation, it signified the proprietor of an heritable subject, but, in the law relating to Parish government, the term was confined to such proprietors of lands or houses as were liable, as written in their title deeds,...
s and the parish minister. - to this end, the heritors of every congregation will meet, and provide:
- a suitable house for the school.
- an annual salary for the schoolmaster, between 100-200 merks.
- a new tax on heritors and life-rentLiferent (Scots law)Liferent or Life-rent in Scots law is the right to receive for life the benefits of a property or other asset, without the right to dispose of the property or asset...
ers to pay for these. - for the tenants of heritors, they must pay half of the taxable amount on the land that they use to their heritors.
- if a majority of the heritors cannot agree, then any 5 members of the commissioners of supply are empowered to do it and assess the new tax.
- if the new tax is not paid, the debt is doubled, letters of horningLetters of horningLetters of horning : a document issued by civil authorities that publicly denounce a person as a rebel. The document was issued against persons who had not paid their debts....
are issued, and further actions will be taken; and if the tax is still not paid, the debt is repeatedly redoubled until it has been paid. - if the Parliament passes a suspension of this act, it will be discussed summarily, without the usual Parliamentary formalities.
- life-renters owe the new tax on their rented land, just as if they owned the land.
- it is lawful for any person to petition the commissioners of supply, sheriff, or other judge competent for redress of any perceived inequality, if done within a year and a day.
- vacant stipends (money due or collected, but never spent) may be redirected towards realising this act, except regarding the synod of ArgyllArgyllArgyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
, where a 1690 act had already re-directed vacant stipends to this same purpose. - the sheriff is empowered to apply vacant stipends towards the realisation of this act.
- except where they conflict with this act, no previous legal efforts for establishing and maintaining schools are changed.
The ongoing Episcopalian
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
-Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
power struggle had been decided, so school supervision henceforth would be by presbyteries (as per the Presbyterian view; the Episcopalian view was supervision by bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s). This act had the same purpose as similar acts in 1633 and 1646, and was in fact a repeat of the Education Act 1646
Education Act 1646
The Education Act 1646 was an Act of the Parliament of Scotland that ordered locally funded, Church-supervised schools to be established in every parish in Scotland. It was passed by the Parliament at St...
, with little but the wording changed to reflect the more modern (ie, 50 years later) times.
The act was effective in establishing schools and fostering education throughout the Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
areas of Scotland, and would remain the basis for Scottish education until the reforms of 1872, although a later act
(in 1803, 43 Geo. III c. 54) would increase the schoolmaster's salary and modernise the language.
The act was not effective elsewhere, as it was used only as a tool in an effort to wipe out Gaelic (the obliteration of the Highlands
Gàidhealtachd
The Gàidhealtachd , sometimes known as A' Ghàidhealtachd , usually refers to the Scottish highlands and islands, and especially the Scottish Gaelic culture of the area. The corresponding Irish word Gaeltacht however refers strictly to an Irish speaking area...
language was a stated goal of the Act of Privy Council dated 10 December 1616
School Establishment Act 1616
The School Establishment Act 1616 was an Act of the Scottish Privy Council dated 10 December 1616. It mandated the establishment of publicly funded, Church-supervised schools in every parish of Scotland. The act was a consequence of the Scottish Reformation, and was the basis of all future acts of...
). That government policy towards the Highlanders was not different at the time of this act is exemplified by the contemporary "Act and remit in favour of the synod of Argyll" of 12 July 1695, which authorised military action to collect assessments made for the "erecting of English schools for rooting out of the Irish language, and other pious uses".
See also
- Education ActEducation ActEducation Act is a stock short title used for legislation in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States that relates to education.-United Kingdom and predecessor states:*The Education Act 1833...
- Education in ScotlandEducation in ScotlandScotland has a long history of universal provision of public education, and the Scottish education system is distinctly different from the other countries of the United Kingdom...
- Parliament of ScotlandParliament of ScotlandThe Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
- School Establishment Act 1616School Establishment Act 1616The School Establishment Act 1616 was an Act of the Scottish Privy Council dated 10 December 1616. It mandated the establishment of publicly funded, Church-supervised schools in every parish of Scotland. The act was a consequence of the Scottish Reformation, and was the basis of all future acts of...
- Education Act 1633Education Act 1633The Education Act 1633 was an Act of the Parliament of Scotland that ordered a locally funded, Church-supervised school to be established in every parish in Scotland, and included the means to realise that order. The act was passed by the Parliament at Edinburgh on 18 June 1633, titled...
- Education Act 1646Education Act 1646The Education Act 1646 was an Act of the Parliament of Scotland that ordered locally funded, Church-supervised schools to be established in every parish in Scotland. It was passed by the Parliament at St...