Board of Education: Practical Instruction Centres Files

The Code of Regulations of 1906 introduced new provisions for the teaching of domestic subjects in elementary schools; rules for the instruction of 'Special Subjects' were revised and grant awarded in respect of each course of instruction in place of a system of 'per capita' grants. Syllabuses had to be submitted to the Board of Education prior to the commencement of a course and additional women H.M. Inspectors were appointed to ensure systematic inspection of practical instruction centres.

Under Section 2 of the Education Act, 1918, re-enacted as Section 20 of the Education Act, 1921, it became a duty for Local Education Authorities to make provision for practical instruction in elementary schools. The power to do so had existed for School Boards and Local Education Authorities under Section 18 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, and subsequently under Section 3 of the Education Act, 1902. Instruction in domestic subjects preceded practical instruction in a wide range of subjects and payment of special grant was first authorised under the Code of Regulations for Elementary Schools, 1875. Practical instruction, like all other curriculum subjects, was not defined in the Education Act, 1944.

Part III Authorities are Boroughs with a population of over 10,000 and Urban District Councils with a population of over 20,000 defined in Section I of the Education Act 1902 as a local authority for the purpose of Part III of the Act.