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Catalogue Reference:CAB/24/247
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THIS DOCUMENT I S THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC iiA-JESTY'S GOVERNMENT,
SECRET
C P . 37(34)
COPY NC*
'-$
'
CABINET.
FUTURE EDUCATIONAL P O L I C Y .
Memorandum b y t h e P r e s i d e n t
1.
have
be
the Board o f
some e d u c a t i o n a l
matters
likely
to
thought,
since
and p o l i t i c a l
call
for
Memorandum i s
t o a c q u a i n t my c o l l e a g u e s
it
and t o
immediate
found
may d e s i r e ,
t;
after
invite
w i t h me i n g r e a t e r
the C a b i n e t
2.
But a t
for
the
advice.
issues
last
but w i l l
almost
involved,
hand
to d e a l w i t h
whenever
s c a r c e l y be
able
s u p p o r t ; s o l e l y o n any
some
have
to defend
indication
of
been d i r e c t e d
towards
in regard
to
t w o and a h a l f
their
acts
their
reduction
of
what
the
is
ground,
record
future
their
in
some
policy
seem
in
neither
t o be
the
education.
years
in
comes,
their
consider
standpoint
emergency.
such g e n e r a l
to
i n power a l l
to
Government
again t o base
nor premature
have b e e n
matters
conclusions
it
irrelevant
the
Cabinet
into
the n a t i o n a l
would a c c o r d i n g l y
During
may be
the N a t i o n a l
It
3c
as
an
as the
t o go
their
this
situation
ask f o r
discussion
directions a
5
possible
and i t
particular
Government s
and
circulating
do n o t
General E l e c t i o n
certainly
and t o g i v e
t o me t o
date,
Government w i l l
renewed
in
to vhich
and t o be
w i t h the
and t o r e p o r t
the n e x t G e n e r a l E l e c t i o n ,
claims f o r
I
such g e n e r a l
detail
a free
object
a f e w o f my c o l l e a g u e s
at a l a t e r
At
National
detail
their
d e c i s i o n upon t h e
convenient,
appealed
My i m m e d i a t e
seek
appear
Government d e c i s i o n
long,
see
they
importance
action before
I
Education.
T h i s Memorandum d e a l s w i t h c e r t a i n p r o b l e m s
r e c e n t l y been g i v i n g
of
of
since
regard
the
Government
to education
expenditure.
Some
of
have
I
these
(e.,,g,
the
cuts
loan expenditure)
(e,g.
secondary
numbers
of
kind.
These
have h e e n o f
school
elementary
halt
as f i n a n c i a l
will
foes
of
and f r e e
places,
for
stocktaking;
improve,
the
temporary
removed.
The
initial
(e.g.
an a c u t e
t h o u g h some p o l i t i c a l
almost
able
to
necessary
judgment
argue
are
other
that
the
complaints
non-progressive
that
National
attitude
Government
of
important
that
educational
the
are
valuable
as
they
rf
to
this
Moreover
it
recapture,
should
on t h e i r
be
public
field
will
tend
in contrast
with
of
local
E v e n now
adopting
rural
thero
a markedly
and i t
is
grow i n f o r c e
taken.
side,
will
financially
If
least
it
is
and
the
to
hold,
a
i n my v i e w
show t h e m s e l v e s n o t u n m i n d f u l
needs,
will
restriction
slum c l e a r a n c e ,
or a t
in
broad
measures were
sort w i l l
is
has
Government a t b e s t
initiated.
action
the
one o f
as r e g a r d s e d u c a t i o n ,
of
fees)
t h e Government
reviews
are
against
certainly
educational
( e , g,
Government
opinion
other
it
doubt,
not re-emerge
In o t h e r Departments
some, d e f i n i t e
good d e a l
as
measures
complaints
volume u n l e s s
i n the
already being
that
of
has b e e n
and t h e
and no
restrictions
at present,
in themselves.
sjjheresa
are
will
received.
from a
school
use w i l l
restrictive
critical
progressive
supply)
certain
our p o l i c y
on our p e r f o r m a n c e
government
water
that
and r e a s o n a b l e
in
stand
to development;
mere and more t o be
policy
to hope,
e d u c a t i o n a l performance
c e r t a i n l y be
and u n f r i e n d l y
be
reasonable
But a s t h i n g s
on the
permanent
agitation
secondary
it
judgment
is
in
on t h e w h o l e b e e n w e l l
d i e d down a n d ,
them.
a more
in
ethers
reduction
tine
t h e none p e r m a n e n t e c o n o m i e s
made o f
character;
e d u c a t i o n have not been a v e r s e
conditions
form,
restrictions
have hewn o f
have
as a f f o r d i n g
g r a d u a l l y be
salaries,
a temporary
teachers)
restrictions
E v e n many f r i e n d s
temporary
in teachers'
of
4*
I
recognise
the p r e s e n t
financial
time,
feasible,
i n the b e l i e f
as f o r
and t h e
suggestions
that
practicable,
politically
expedient,.
If
there
Government p o l i c y
moderate
re-organisation,
and o f
together
in
measure
of
in
the
as
pointed
the
cookery,
Relaxation
progress
of
t o be
can c o n t e n t
recognises
carried
much f u r t h e r
and
of
of
aptitudes,
This
alive
that
the
to
So
is
feel
into
nor
extension
of
and d e s i r e s
great
of
expressed
the v a l u e
the
of
schools
to
see
completion,,
restrictions
t h i s , because
without bringing
it,
re-organisation
advance
I
by
a d a p t a t i o n and
something l i k e
but
whole
parties
l a r g e l y because
which
the
practical
do n o t l i k e
opinion,
financial
accelerated;
with
policy
children
e t c ) .
and on t h e
to
reasonable
development
is
through t o
ourselves
a
to a b i l i t i e s
i n the
educational
the p r e s e n t
the
the e l d e r
of
and
has
t o meet the e v i l s
gardening,
involved
denominations,
way t o r e a l
it
has l o n g b e e n a c c e p t e d b y a l l
But e d u c a t i o n a l
opens t h e
once
concern
h o l d i n g up o f
t h e Church o f E n g l a n d ,
school,
are
up t o now t h e
has b e e n b e c a u s e
designed
according
t o he
what i s a t
in which
The Roman C a t h o l i c s
re-graded
policy
likely
at
for
which f o l l o w
t i m e " by b r i n g i n g
out,
expenditure
e v e n among t h e
very
is
to f a c i l i t a t e
Bodies,
buildingso
regard
and s o c i a l l y u s e f u l ;
numbers t o p e r m i t
(carpentry,
is
capital
this
substantial
which
sufficient
do some members o f
of
the
it
State., by L o c a l A u t h o r i t i e s ,
Voluntary
the
persons,
classification
instruction
policy,
educationally
"marking
and i n p a r t i c u l a r
is
may b e nude
on e d u c a t i o n hus c a u s e d s e r i o u s
involved
"misfit"
what
t h e y may r e p r e s e n t
any d i r e c t i o n
and t h o u g h t f u l
inevitably
of
is
that
t o have f u l l
as w e l l
financially
5c,
i n any p r o p o s a l s
is necessary
exigencies,
politically
framed
it
that
would
enable
d o u b t w h e t h e r we
advance
cannot
prominence
two
proceed
other
questions
which,
canvassed,
via.,
for
voluntary
school
will
other
capital
G.
grants
for
Schools,
it
school
towards the
Before
the
will
improvement
legislation,
if
all
parties
definitely
some s u p p o r t
General
define
capital
Party
to power.
Bill.
refrained
probable
the n a t i o n a l
from
that
any s i m i l a r
a number
Roman C a t h o l i c
of
restored,
majority
of
the
present
solution
of
it.
Catholic
agitation
It
General E l e c t i o n .
7.
the
If
will
dealt with
should
of
The U n i o n i s t
made
problem
it
with,
if
in
is
political
Authorities
or n o t
suggests
that
is
less
claims ,
on S i r
asset
not
the
Charles
of
1931,
deliberately
less
a hope t h a t
as soon as
that
the
that
at l e a s t
will
the
normal
Commons w o u l d w e l c o m e
Party
hew
0
great
a
t h e Roman
the
be
next
expected
1929.
t o be
and T e a c h e r s w i l l
t h i s measure
more o r
i s none t h e
suppose
dealt with
at
the next
by agreement,
a way as t o l e a v e n o s e r i o u s b i t t e r n e s s
experience
number
be r e n e w e d w i t h e n e r g y b e f o r e
t o bo a v a l u a b l e
must b e d e a l t
It
must b e assumed as c e r t a i n
promise
the
House
of
A large
t h e Roman C a t h o l i c s
Members d i d e x p r e s s
and I
Catholics
General E l e c t i o n
propaganda.
problem would be
c o n d i t i o n s were
to repeat
At t h e
crisis,
for
promise!
t h e Roman C a t h o l i c
Trevelyan's
of
position
grants
publicly
shown b y t h e d i s c u s s i o n s
in view
its
t h a t Roman
numerous t h e y w e r e was
S c h o o l Age
Election
legislation.
committed themselves
of
of
the General E l e c t i o n
returned
o f members o f
to
of
be remembered
the Unionist
actively
age and some
the n e x t
question
propaganda b e f o r e
In response
immediate
the
a l r e a d y "being
t w o p r o b l e m s , w h i c h "both i n v o l v e
conducted a c t i v e
1929.
ere
t h e Government, t o
To t a k e f i r s t
Voluntary
of
premises.
ho n e c e s s a r y
upon t h e s e
reasons,
some r a i s i n g
provision
it
for
attitude
such a way
General
at
behind
any r a t e
it.
affected
some p r o v i s i o n
as
Election
And
of Nonconformists,
be m a t e r i a l l y
l i n k e d up w i t h
in
in
such
past
Local
by whether
for
raising
the
school
age.-
strengthen
the
of
the
parties
case f o r
just
the
there
capital
i s no d o u b t
problem,
something f o r
essential
and f i f t e e n
9c
in
I
reasons,
exemptions
with
juvenile
thing
that
is
best
for
all
supporters.
fifteen.,
accompanied by
Six
the
of
of
is
children
work.
There
those
a r e a s has
in the
i s no doubt
point
angle
and,
decent
fourteen
for
unlike
generous
jobs,
to
A Bill
the
mass o f
now f a r
even
maintenance
unpopularity
fifteen^
linos
school
the
been b e n e f i c i a l a
early
already
above,
secure
of
alj.
get
days.
a byelaw
T h e s e b y e l aw s
the o p e r a t i o n
the
though
in i t s
they
on
allowances,
suggested
until
of
job.
undertaken would,
m a i n l y used t o
that
a
and m o r a l
c h i l d r e n between
and W a l e s h a v e
to
is
two
a measure w h i c h w o u l d p r e v e n t
of
attendar.es
age,
or
Prom t h i s
indeed doubtful
system of
i n England
the byelaw
year
physical
Such p r e v e n t i o n ,
a lot
concessions.
school
should contemplate
for
achievement
unemployment
a decent
got
all
as p r o v i d i n g
the
unemployed.
o p e r a t e d much on t h e
that
of
provoke
areas
age
are
ready
a generous
would c e r t a i n l y
retention
the l a s t
the problem of
they get
It
employment b e f o r e
cay,
aspects
who had i n f a c t
is
to
the
many q u a r t e r s
proceed from t h i s
country g e n e r a l l y
practice
in
t o Keep the
Bill,
provide
the
w o u l d p r o b a b l y he more a c c e p t a b l e
Government's
10.
raising
any l e g i s l a t i o n
Trcvelyan's
lines
raising
from
school u n t i l
think
Charles
these
amongst
of
i d e a has
support
and p a r t i c u l a r l y
the
various
the
only
t o make s u b s t a n t i a l
question
dealing with certain
deterioration
view
that
increased
method o f
the
agd w o u l d n e t
g r a n t s hut w o u l d
mentioned w i t h
As r e g a r d s
received
is
school
w h i c h t h e y w o u l d he p r e p a r e d
3.
Sir
Raising
in
that
the
suitable
th-. bye-)law
in
11.
have
Admittedly
a Bill
on t h e s e
any a p p r e c i a b l e
effect
on r e d u c i n g
juveniles
over
15 and among a d u l t s ,
keep c h i l d r e n
of
prevent
their
taking
effects
w o u l d a l s o be
allowed.,
11 -
On t h e
15 a t
jobs,
hand,
it
social
would
at
effective
centres,
the
valuable
school
certainly
better
at
the
regard
than
if
permission
a measure
of
of
and V o l u n t a r y
necessary
alterations
and e x t e n s i o n s
the
be
time
should b e ,
annual
felt
is
say,
until
I
IV
and o t h e r
early
of
the
have
While
educational
respects
t h o s e who
exemptions would
it
desire
be
they would
almost
as "being much
legislation
Election-
of
and i n
particular
t o make
premises,
the
the
the
"appointed
passing
of
e.g.
three
months e a c h .
of
raising
and a l s o
time
considered
only
Managers
gradually,
as w e l l
some s e c t i o n s
Parliamentary
date
were
instruction
preparation,
four
conscious
for
grounds,
accordingly
to
by
the
On t h i s
as e d u c a t i o n a l ,
Act,
basis
would
not
m.
am v e r y
to
of
financial
however moderate,
distasteful
is.
t w e l v e months a f t e r
instalments
effects,
13.
occupy
allowed for
a g e s h o u l d t h e n be r a i s e d
full
junior
not
nothing.
Authorities
equal
a job,
to
educational
the kind suggested
Local
and t h e
Its
exemptions,
If
day"
they get
In both these
than
12.
for
aim w o u l d he
certainly
value,
raised without
among
no e x e m p t i o n s
would
though t h e i r work
age t o be
disappointed
until
than
and c o n s i d e r a b l e
b e more
its
when a v a i l a b l e .
value
least
unemployment
since
school
smaller
other
l i m i t e d l i n e s w o u l d not,
the
the
of
that
that
The
fact
school
can i l l
question
of
Party
of
age
proposal,
on
I
legislation
problem,
at
with
some d a t e
Parliamentary
very
financial
legislation
be s p a r e d .
School
leaving
any
age may p r o v e
the necessary
alternative
school
that
the Unionist
on t h e V o l u n t a r y
on t h e
the
time
may
have
at
a
an
promise
after
alone
may be
decisive
in favour
to
I
tliis
s
the r a i s i n g
treatment
of
juvenile
of
proposals
both
age w i l l
of
accurate
.But
subject
proier
firstly,
because
be some c o n t r i b u t i o n
the cost
tentative.,
I hope t h a t
a sufficiently
to
solution
facilitated.
t h e E x c h e q u e r o f my
until
they
set
impression of
opinion
because the
to
the f i g u r e s
public
to
a r e more
clearly
out below w i l l
what
give
commitments may b e
­
(a)
will
The c o s t
largely
grants
of
capital
grants
the
a r e made by t h e L o c a l E d u c a t i o n A u t h o r i t y . ,
and
l o a n charges?
t h e annual
probably
exceed
cent,
of
£50,000
figure
of,
years?
might be involved,.
£1?000?000?
b e some c o u n t e r v a i l i n g
alternative?
providing
A measure t o
proposed
generous
of
In either
would h a v e
their
raise
would c o s t
the
would b e
to
school
7.
for
would
spend more on
a g e on t h e
little.
allowances
small.
f u n d s would n o t
with perhaps £8,000,000
five
the
c h i l d r e n t o be
comparatively
Exchequer £700,000;
lower
case there
comparatively
and t a u g h t
(say?
capital
four or
in
woul-fi
own.
and t h e numbers o f
to public
direct
an u l t i m a t e l y
e x e m p t i o n s no m a i n t e n a n c e
cost
If
spread o v e r
necessary?
annual
resulting
!
economy b e c a u s e ?
Authorities
premises
an A u t h o r i t y s
a year.
-were made by t h e Board?
say?
adopted.
c h a r g e on t h e E x c h e q u e r
grants
lines
Schools
If
50 p e r
(b)
to Voluntary
depend upon t h e method
t h e B o a r d pay
not
subjects:
S c h o o l p r o b l e m -would b e
must b e v e r y
but
to
a b o u t which I b e l i e v e
Any e s t i m a t e
14,
Involved
alternative.
d i s t u r b e d ; . and s e c o n d l y ?
the Voluntary
defined;,
latter
the school
problems
be s e r i o u s l y
of
this
s h o u l d on t h e w h o l e b e d i s p o s e d
simultaneous
the
of
exceed
Charles
Y/ith
would b e
accommodated
Probably
rates £300*000),
Sir
limited
the
£1?000?000
as
compared
Trevelyan's
Bill.
No a p p r e c i a b l e c h a r g e would f a l l on t h e E x c h e q u e r u n t i l
f i n a n c i a l y e a r 19 36-375 and t h e f u l l
t o he met b e f o r e
15.
the
c h a r g e would n o t h a v e
1938-39.
Even a s s u m i n g t h a t t h e n e x t G e n e r a l E l e c t i o n
will
n o t b e u n t i l 1 9 3 6 , i t would s t i l l b e n e c e s s a r y t h a t any
l e g i s l a t i o n should be passed d u r i n g t h e s e s s i o n 1934-35.
Some l e n g t h y c o n s i d e r a t i o n and d i s c u s s i o n would b e n e c e s s a r y
before f i n a l proposals for l e g i s l a t i o n
c o u l d be
formulated.
Any s u c h d i s c u s s i o n s h o u l d b e g i n i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d of
Easter next.
A d e c i s i o n as t o t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y
of
l e g i s l a t i o n should a c c o r d i n g l y be reached b e f o r e
such
Easter.
The r e q u i s i t e f o r e c a s t of Government p o l i c y m i g h t b e made
i n r e p l y t o a Q u e s t i o n i n t h e House of Lords.­
16.
Put s h o r t l y s my v i e w i s t h a t i t i s
politically
i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e Government s h o u l d b e a b l e a t t h e n e x t
E l e c t i o n t o show t h a t t h e y h a v e c o n s t r u c t i v e i d e a s i n t h e
s p h e r e of e d u c a t i o n .
The r e l a x a t i o n of
r e s t r i c t i o n s w i l l not s u f f i c e .
present
And t h i s i n v o l v e s
the
n e c e s s i t y o f d e c i d i n g on o u r a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s b o t h
the
r a i s i n g of t h e s c h o o l - l e a v i n g age and t h e V o l u n t a r y
School
problem.,
17.-.
There are obvious p o l i t i c a l
difficulties
and
financial
i n t h e way of any r a i s i n g of t h e s c h o o l
On t h e o t h e r h a n d , u n l e s s I am w h o l l y m i s t a k e n ,
in the country is very gravely disquieted
juvenile problem,
age,
feeling
a b o u t t h e whole
and w h i l e welcoming r e m e d i a l m e a s u r e s
s u c h as J u n i o r I n s t r u c t i o n C e n t r e s , would welcome more
warmly a c t i o n t h a t
c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e d i m i n u t i o n of
scope and i n c i d e n c e by r e t a i n i n g a t s c h o o l a l l
of 14 - 1 5 , u n t i l t h e y g e t a j o b .
its
children
The V o l u n t a r y
18.
School
problems.
The d e n o m i n a t i o n a l
are not
entirely
yet
Church o f
England
readiness
to
therefore
foresight,
forgotten?
concentrate
in
on t h e i r
the d i f f i c u l t i e s ,
in
be wrong,
but
itself
even i f
I
especially
in view of
face
do
should
of
I
would
if
to
suggest
the
as
religious
hope
w i t h energy
remains
this
I
issue,
Election,
attempt
course
as we most
than
on the
H,-
8th
February,
1934,
9o
to
to
probably
Election.
BOAPJ) OP EDUCATION,
may
the
t h e 1929
promises under p r e s s u r e
and
only
that
an h o n e s t
a wiser
n o t h i n g now and t h e n t o b e d r i v e n ,
t o make h a s t y
greater
advantageous.
evade
ago
the
certainly
tackled
that
them now m i g h t b e p o l i t i c a l l y
should,
years
in improving
t h e p r o m i s e made a t
accordingly
years
a way w h i c h was n o t
long
thorny
h a r e shown a f a r
am, t h e f a c e
cannot hope f o r
of" t h i r t y
in recent
but p o l i t i c a l l y
Government
and I
in
raises
common i n t e r e s t s ,
Schools.
might be s o l v e d
equitable
but
common a c t i v i t i e s
Council
that
quarrels
and N o n c o n f o r m i t y
e v i d e n c e d by t h e i r
instruction
question also
eve