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able to stale , that in all the returns , and in all the other information laid before them , there is the most unquestionable evidence that the anxiety of the poor for education continues not only unabated , but daily
increasing ; that it extends to every part of the country , and is to be found equally prevalent in those smaller towns and country districts , where no means of gratifying it are provided by the charitable efforts of the richer classes .
In humbly suggesting what is fit to be done for promoting * universal education , your Committee do not hesitate to state , that two different plans are advisable , adapted to the opposite circumstances of the town and country districts . Wherever the efforts of individuals can support the requisite number of schools , it would be
unnecessary and injurious to interpose any parliamentaiy assistance . But your Committee have clearly ascertained , that in many places private subscriptions could be raised to meet the yearly expenses of a school , while the original cost of the undertaking " , occasioned chiefly by the erection and purchase of the school-house , prevents it from being attempted .
Your Committee conceive that a sum of money might be well employed in supplying * this first want , leaving * the charity of individuals to furnish the annual provision requisite far continuing the school , and possibly for repaying the advance .
Whether the money should be vested in commissioners , empowered to make the fit terms with the private parties desirous of establishing schools , or whether a certain sum should be intrusted to the two great institutions in London for promoting education , your Committee must leave to be determined by the wisdom of Parliament .
In the numerous districts where no aid from private exertions can be expected , and where the poor are manifestly without adequate means of instruction , your Committee are persuaded that > n , otbing can supply the deficiency but the adoption ,
under certain material modifications , of the parish-school system so ukefully established in the Northern part of the Island , ever since the latter part of the seventeenth century , and upon which many important details will be found in the Appendix .
The modifications will be dictated principally by the necessity of attending to the distinction , already pointed out , between districts where private charity may be expected to furnish the means of education , and those where no such resource can be
looked to ; and the tables subjoined to this Report will afford important lights on this subject . It appears further to your Committee , that it may be fair and expedient to assist the parishes where no school-houses are erected , with the means of providing th e **! , go as only to throw upon the inh abitant * tlie burden of pay ing the school-
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master ' s salary , which ought certainly not to exceed £ 24 a year . It appears to your Committee , that a sufficient supply of schoolmasters may be procured for this sum , allowing them the benefits of
takingscholars who can afford to pay , and per * mitting them , of course , to occupy their leisure hours in other pursuits . The expense attending this invaluable system in Scotland , is found to be so very trifling , that it is never made the subject of complaint by any of the landholders .
Your Committee forbear to inquire minutely in what manner this system ought to be connected with the Church Establishment . That such a connexion ought to be formed appears manifest : it is dictated
by a regard to the prosperity and stability of both systems , and in Scotland the twb > are mutually connected together . But a difficulty arises in England which is not to be found there . The great body of the Dissenters from the Scottish Church differ
little , if at all , in doctrine from the Establishment ; they are separated only by certain opinions of a political , rather than a religious nature , respecting the right of patronage , and by some shades of distinction ' as to church discipline ; so that they may conscientiously send their children to parish schools connected with the Establishment
and teaching its catechism . In England the case is widely different $ and it appears to your Committee essentially necessary that this circumstance be carefully considered in devising the arrangements of
the system . To place the choice . of the schoolmaster in the parish vestry , subject io the approbation of the parson , and the visitation of the diocesan ; but io provide that the children of sectarians shall not be
compelled to learn any catechism or attend any church , other than those of their parents , seems to your Committee the safest path by which the legislature can hope to obtain the desirable objects of security to the Establishiftent on the one hand , and justice to the Dissenters on the other .
The more extended inquiries of your Committee this session have amply confirmed the opinion which a more limited investigation Lad led them to form two years ago ., upon the neglect and abuse of charitable funds connected with education . *
They must refer to the Appendix and tlie Tables , for the very important details of this branch of the subject ; but they must add , that although in many cases those large funds appear to have been misapplied through ig-norance , or mismanaged through carelessness , yet that some instances of
abuse hnve presented themselves of such a nature , as would hare led them to recommend at an earlier period of the session , the institution of proceedings for move promptly checking misappropriations , both in the particular cases and by the force of a sal utary example From the investigations
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Report from theSelect ( Odmmitteeon theEducation oftk&JLou / e ^ Order * . 65 &
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1818, page 653, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2481/page/53/
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