Department of Education (GRG18)

On 2 July 1874, Education was placed under the supervision of a Minister appointed under provisions of the Constitution Amendment Act of 1873 - "there shall be an additional Minister to bear such title as the Governor shall from time to time appoint" (37 Victoriae, No. 5, p.14). At the first appointment the title was Minister of Justice and Education. On 3 June 1875, it became Agriculture and Education and on 26 October 1877, Minister of Education. Between July 1884 and June 1885 it was again Justice and Education, reverting to Education alone between 1885 and 1892. Subsequently it was Agriculture and Education (1892-94), Education and Agriculture (1894-1902), Education (Oct - Dec 1902), Attorney General and Education (1903-1905) and Education (1905-26).

The Minister's powers as Minister controlling Education were transferred to him from the Council of Education by the Education Amendment Act of 1878 (40 and 41 Victoriae, No.122). This Act abolished the Council, which had previously had direct power, subject to control by the Governor, to expend money on education and establish and maintain public schools, etc. The Act gave the Office of the Minister the legal standing of a body corporate. (For the records of the Central Board of Education and Council of Education see GRG 50.)

From 1878 until 1896 the Department's correspondence (as distinct from that of the Minister) was filed under the title of the permanent head, the Inspector General of Schools (see GRG 18/3 - a continuation of the correspondence of the Council of Education, GRG 50/3).

Following the Inspector General of School's death on 15 September 1896, the permanent head of the Department became - with a new appointment on 14 October 1896 - the Chairman, Board of Inspectors of Schools (S.A. Govt. Gaz. 15 Oct. 1896, p.924). Departmental correspondence from 1896 onwards is filed under the title Education Department (GRG 18/2). In spite of the apparent duplication of a few numbers, GRG 18/2 can be regarded as a continuation of GRG 18/3.

As a result of an amendment on the compulsory aspect of schooling passed in 1905 (Education Acts Amendment Act, 5 Edwardi No.892), a Superintendent of School Visitors was appointed on 18 January 1906 (S.A. Govt. Gaz. 18 Jan 1906, p.79) who reported annually thereafter on compulsory attendance. After the new Education Act of 1915 (6 Georgii, No.1223) which was proclaimed on 13 January 1916, his title became Supervisor, Compulsory Branch (S.A. Parliamentary Paper No.44 of 1916, p.42). Correspondence files of the Compulsory Branch form GRG18/4.

NOTES ON DISTRICT BOARDS OF ADVICE, SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SCHOOL COUNCILS

Boards of Advice were authorised under the Education Act of 1875, which states:

"The Governor may constitute and define school districts by Proclamation in the Government Gazette, and may appoint a Board of Advice for any school district, such Board to consists of not fewer than three persons, and who shall hold office for three years, or such less term as the Governor may appoint."

Regulations for Boards of Advice are promulgated in the Government Gazette of 29 May 1879

The Education Act Amendment Act of 1891 laid down that at least half of the members of Boards of Advice should be elected by parents of children attending the school

The Royal Commission on Education, 1913 (Final Report SAPP 75/1913) recommended the abolition of the district Boards of Advice on the grounds that system was not a success, as the Boards had no funds for travelling so many school were not being visited. There was also little involvement from parents on most of the Boards. The report recommended that the district Boards of Advice be replaced with a system of local committees for each school.

Boards of Advice were abolished by the Education Act, 1915, which laid down that a school committee might be constituted for any school, or in cases where the Minister considered it desirable, for any group of schools. The members were to be elected by the parents of the children attending the school. Under the same Act the Governor might appoint a school council for any high school or technical school.

For regulations on School Councils and affiliated school committees promulgated under the Education Act, 1972, see Education Gazette volume 1, number 6, 14 March 1973 and volume 1, number 9, 4 April 1973.

RECORDS TO BE KEPT BY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Since the introduction of government involvement in education in South Australia, public schools have been required to keep a variety of records and documents.

Prior to 1873, all public schools had to keep admission books, rolls, time tables and programmes of work that were annually checked by the Inspector. During this period, the main emphasis on records was directed to the admission book and daily roll as teachers were paid both a set stipend and an allowance calculated on the number of children at school. Falsification of school records was commonly encountered with the result that an Inspector's visit was primarily concerned with checking the accuracy of teachers' returns.

In 1873, the government built a model school at Grote Street which was staffed by teachers on a fixed salary. A special set of regulations covering all aspects of the school was drawn up by the Board of Education, including a section relating to registers and instructional documents.

After the passing of the 1875 Education Act, by which public education became the full responsibility of the State Government, the Grote Street Model School Regulations became the basis of the Official Regulations covering all public schools. This included instructions covering records. Hence, the 1876 Regulations including the following:

1876 Regulation 164, Section XIX,' Miscellaneous'

"The principal teacher of each school will be held responsible for the proper keeping of the following school records and documents.

(1) Entrance Book
(2) Attendance Book
(3) Fee Book
(4) Class Register
(5) Observation Book
(6) Time Book
(7) Programme of Studies
(8) Lesson Register
(9) Visitor's Book

Between 1876 and 1880, the regulations were annually revised. In 1877 the entrance book became the school register, the attendance book became toll book and the fee book was discontinued but a record of fees paid to the schools had to be kept until free schooling was introduced 1892. An Inspector's Register was also introduced in 1877, replacing the observation book. A punishment book was introduced in 1879.

The 1885 Regulations were written by the Inspector-General John A. Hartley, as a means by which the operation of schools was overhauled and given clear cut instructions, in minute detail so that the Department's control of schools was centralised and uniform. Regulation 98, School Records, covered the duties expected of head teachers and included the following:

1) Admission Register
(2) Roll Book
(3) Inspector's Register
(4) Time Table
(5) Programme of Studies
(6) Portfolio of Official Documents
(7) Visitor's Book
(8) Punishment Book
(9) Transfer of Notes
(10) Time Book
(11) Evening School Records

Further changes in school records occurred in 1892. Regulation 121, introduced the keeping of school journals and quarterly examination registers whilst evening school records were deleted. These regulations were published in the Education Gazette in January 1892 and remained unchanged until 1900.

New regulations published in 1900 saw school records listed under Regulation 126 (eg. Dec 1900 p143). These records were the same as those of 1892, except that the Education Gazettes also had to be kept. Minor changes to records were made in the Regulations of 1913 (R324) in which the visitors book was deleted and items 13 Account Books and 14 Junior Teachers and Monitors lesson register, were added (Education Gazette Jan 21 1913, p.39).

After the passing of the 1915 Education Act, new regulations were published in January 1916. Again, school records were slightly changed with the addition to the previous list of item 15 Junior Cadet Roll and Returns (Section XVIII School Records Education Gazette Jan 21, 1916).

These regulations remained in force until 1929 when a new set of instructions was published and distributed to all schools as a supplement to the March Gazette. School records were listed under Section XXIX - Correspondence and School Records and included all the 1916 items, except for junior cadets, replacing it with temperance pledge books. The inclusion of this item is of interest in that records of similar nature had been kept in schools as early as 1890 (eg Victor Harbor Public School) in an official Departmental book.

During the 1920s and early 30s school records were of concern to many schools in that materials had been accumulating for many years and were seen to have little significance to the Department. Consequently, many schools were advised to destroy all records not required other than admission registers and recent documents. Sadly, the early history of a good number of our older schools was destroyed. However, the Departmental views on old records changed with the advent of C. Fenner as Director.

In 1940, he introduced Circular 145 (Education Gazette May 1940 p.110) pointing out the historic significance of old school records. This circular was expanded in 1942 (Circular 145 Education Gazette Ap. 1942 p.96) and included a comprehensive list of school documents and the length of time for which they were to be kept. This circular remained in force, from 1942 until 1980 unchanged except for its number being progressively Circular 145, 9 and finally No.1.

In 1980, many circulars became obsolete through the introduction of the Administrative Instructions and Guidelines for Schools. Circular 1 - School records is now found in Section 1, General School Procedures, Division 3, Finance, Records and Returns, Item 92 - School Records and Returns.

SUMMARY INFORMATION RELATING TO SCHOOL OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS, TEACHER PLACEMENT, CURRICULUM ETC.

The best source for summary information regarding the opening and closing of schools, and teacher placement is the 'South Australian Education Gazette', which published an annual 'List of Schools' from 1885 (see GRG18/170).

For earlier information relating to school openings and teacher placements see the Annual Reports of the Minister of Education published in the Parliamentary Papers (1879 onwards, usually Paper 44), and GRG50/1, Minutes of the Central Board of Education (1852-1878).

For definitions of types of school e.g. 'Provisional', 'Public', 'Half Time' etc. see the various Regulations under the Education Acts, published as South Australian Parliamentary Papers or in the S.A. Government Gazette.

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND CRAFTS

The School of Arts and Crafts evolved from the School of Design, opened by the Society of Arts in 1861. For many years classes were conducted in the Institute Building, North Terrace. The School came under the South Australian Institutes control in 1881, as reported in the Boards Annual Report for 1883-1884. It was then known as the School of Art and comprised a School of Painting and School of Design

With the re-organisation of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery in 1884, the Schools of Painting and Design came under the control of the Fine Arts Committee of the Board of Governors. The term Art School is used in reports between 1899 and 1908.

However, at the time of its transfer to the Education Department on 30 June 1909, the body is again referred to (in the Report of the Board of Governors of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery) as the School of Design. The Report of the Minister Controlling Education for 1909 refers to it as the Adelaide School of Art, by which name it continued to be known until March 1916 when it was changed to South Australian School of Arts and Crafts (S.A. Parliamentary Paper No.44 of 1917, p.39). Still under this title there was constituted in 1928 a full time day secondary school, which became known in 1932 as the Girls Central Art School (Parliamentary Papers Nos. 44 of 1929, p.10 and 44 of 1933, p.11).

It was decided towards the end of 1958 to change the name from South Australian School of Arts and Crafts to South Australian School of Art (Parliamentary Paper No. 44 of 1959, p.21)

Under the Torrens College of Advanced Education Act (21 Eliz. II, No. 148) assented to on 7 December 1972, the South Australian School of Art was incorporated in the Torrens College of Advanced Education. This took effect on 1 January 1973 (S.A. Govt. Gaz., 14 Dec. 1972, p.2628), the institution thus ceasing to be under the control of the Minister of Education.

TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOL

On 16 February 1874, the Central Board of Education resolved to apply to the Chief Secretary for the purchase of a vacant acre of land in Gouger Street, adjoining the Model Schools, as a site for a proposed Teachers Training Institution. In its report for 1875 (GRG 18/1/1876/616) the Board reported that a tender had been let on 31 May of that year for the construction of a Training School on the land in Gouger Street

The Education Act of 1875 empowered the Council of Education (the Boards successor) to establish a training school for the education of teachers. On 24 April 1876, after correspondence with the Minister of Education (GRG 50/3/1876/633) the Council of Education concurred in the appointment of a head master of the Training School (GRG 50/1/18, Minute 504).

The institution was known as the Training School until 1879 when the term Training College was applied (S.A. Parliamentary Paper No. 44 of 1880, p.23). In the Ministers annual report for 1907 it is referred to as the University Training College, an appellation used till 1917. In the report for that year the institution is called Teachers Training College (Parliamentary Paper No. 44 of 1918). This in turn gave way to the term Adelaide Teachers College in 1947 (Parliamentary Paper No. 44 of 1948).

From the commencement of the Colleges of Advanced Education Act 21 Eliz. II, No. 121) which received assent on 30 November 1972, the Adelaide Teachers' College was known as the Adelaide College of Advanced Education. By the same Act it was given separate legal identity and ceased to be controlled by the Minister of Education. (The S.A. Board of Advanced Education Act, 1972 (21 Eliz. II, No. 47) brought all aspects of advanced education within the powers of review of a Board of Advanced Education

In addition to GRG 96 (held by State Records) see also SRG 106, Records of the Adelaide Teachers College Students Representative Council. SRG 106/23 includes an index to College notices in the Education Gazette, 1885-1949, SRG 106/26 consists of historical notes. See also A.U.G.U. Monthly Newsletter May 1976, p.6. (all held by the State Library of South Australia)

GAWLER SCHOOL OF MINES AND INDUSTRIES

This body began on 31 July 1888, when a number of Gawler men formed an Amateur Assaying Club.

The organisation existed under a number of names, until in 1899 it adopted the title of the Gawler School of Mines and Industries. It had been receiving Government financial aid since 1892, in addition to some amount of support from local industries, notably James Martin & Co.

In 1917, the School was taken over by the Education Department, together with similar bodies throughout the state, and became known as the Gawler Technical School. In the early 1950s it became the Adult Education Centre. (Notes compiled at time of receipt of transfer 284.)

TRADE SCHOOLS

The Technical Education of Apprentices Act, 1917 (8 Georgii V, No. 1294) made it a duty of apprentices to attend technical schools. Under the supervision of an Apprentices' Board, registration of apprentices was begun in 1918 (S.A. Parliamentary Paper No. 44 of 1919, p.29). In 1919, a Printers Trade School was opened (Parliamentary Paper No. 44 of 1920, p.36). Classes in other trades were also held. From the beginning of 1922 there were three district schools - the Printers Trade School, Adelaide, the Ironworkers Trade School, Thebarton, and the Woodworkers' Trade School, Thebarton, with a branch at Edwardstown (Parliamentary Paper No. 44 of 1923, p.33). In 1925, a contract was let for the erection of a Central Apprentice School in Kintore Avenue (Parliamentary Paper No. 44 of 1926, p.18). During 1927 the new building, called the Adelaide Technical College, was completed and some of the trade schools were moved there (Parliamentary Paper No.44 of 1928, p.20).

The Apprentices Act Amendment Act, 1966 (25 Eliz. II, No.18) replaced the Apprentices' Board of the original Act by an Apprenticeship Commission. Legislation recognised the present nature of trade training by changing the name Trade Schools to Technical Colleges as from the beginning of 1967 (Parliamentary Paper No.44 of 1967, p.20). From this date the institution in Kintore Avenue became officially the Adelaide Technical College (although as explained above this name had already been applied to the building in 1927). The College incorporated the School of Graphic Arts and what was henceforth known as the School of Mechanical Technology.

The College ceased to be under the control of the Education Department, in effect, from 1 January 1972 when the Division of Technical Education became in practice a new Department of Further Education. The Education Gazette of 1 February 1972, p.3, refers parenthetically to the Department of Further Education.

For letters sent by R.A. White, Secretary, Technical Education Board, 1886-88 see GRG 57/11.

CHILDREN'S PATRIOTIC FUND AND SCHOOLS PATRIOTIC FUND - Notices Published in the Education Gazette

WORLD WAR ONE

14 Sep 1915

On the representation of the Women Teachers' Progressive League that efforts of schools in collecting for patriotic purposes might be recognised, instead of the money being merged in general funds, a committee has been formed to organise a "Children's Patriotic Fund". (1)

12 Oct 1915

The first meeting of the committee was held on 13 September 1915. It was proposed and resolved that funds for September be donated to the Red Cross. Other causes to which funds were to be devoted were to be notified from time to time. (2)

16 Nov 1915

Causes were listed under such headings as Keswick Hospital Fund, Belgian Relief Fund, Red Cross, YMCA, Wounded Soldiers, Wattle League Sewing Circle, French Red Cross, etc. (3)

17 Oct 1916

Disc badges are being sent out to schools for distribution to all children contributing one penny. (4)

17 July 1917

Lack of enamel has unfortunately delayed delivery of medals, but will teachers kindly assure the children that medals and bars will be forwarded immediately on arrival. Attention is also drawn to the minute of the last committee meeting re earning "War Service" medals, and Teachers are asked to place clearly before the children that service signifies effort other than mere collection. (5)

21 Aug 1917

War Service Medals - Secretary reported that the new Melbourne firm had the medals to hand Over 250 medals and some bars had been applied for. (6)

WORLD WAR TWO

15 Feb 1940

The Department has inaugurated a "Schools Patriotic Fund". Following the scheme of decentralised organisation which proved so successful in the latter years of the Childrens Patriotic Fund, the Schools of the State have been divided and subdivided into Division, Districts, and Local Groups (7)

16 Mar 1942

Membership Badges. - A number of schools are holding stocks of badges in excess of their requirements (8)

15 Mar 1946

The Schools Patriotic Fund depot to close on 31 March 1946. (9)

TEXTBOOKS AND CURRICULUM MATERIAL

State Records holds a small amount of curriculum material and readers/primers. See ArchivesSearch.

The Sir Eric Neal Library at UniSA's Mawson Lakes campus holds a collection of textbooks and curriculum material used in primary schools dating from the 19th century, as well as teachers' lesson plans, school roll books and student copy books (catalogued in the Library's catalogue).


BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) 14/9/1915, p.17
(2) 20/10/1915, p.183
(3) 16/11/1915, p.190-191, etc
(4) 17/10/1916, p.225
(5) 17/7/1917, p.133-134
(6) 21/8/1917, p.157
(7) 15/2/1940, p.67
(8) 16/3/1942, p.83
(9) 15/3/1946, p.86