A Look at History

After the Norman invasion in 1066, Britain started to join the mainstream (основное направление) of Europe intellectual life. Rich families employed clerks to teach children at home. The Church set up small schools where boys learned to read and write and to sing in the church choir. By the year 1200, there were the beginnings of a university in Oxford – at least a community of masters and scholars living and working together.

In 1440, England’s most famous school, Eton was founded by King Henry IV (it is still regarded by many as the top school in the country – it was chosen by Prince Charles and Princess Diana for their sons William and Henry). In its early days it was a mix of rich and poor students: the rich paid, and the poor worked in the school, cooking and clearing to pay for their education.

By the middle of the 17^th century there were a number of charity schools around the country, paid for by committees of rich subscribers. Of course, they were almost exclusively for boys. Some aristocratic girls were well educated, speaking French, and Latin, and reading music. But they were taught by private teachers at home.

There was always a basic problem with education for the poor: when they had got it, what could they do with it? In a very static rigid society, it was almost impossible to change your position. Status was based on family, on birth – not on brains, energy or talents. Poor people who became educated, it was said, would get ideas above themselves, and feel dissatisfied and frustrated.

However, with the industrial revolution from the middle of the 18^th century, British society began to change radically. People in business made huge amounts of money, and the old aristocrats lost much of their power and influence. The pressure for universal education increased. So for the 1^st time in history, ordinary working peoplehad the chance to get an education and the motivation of a more meritocratic society in which they could make use of it.

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
Laboratory work 1.5.	\|	Universities

Не знайшли потрібну інформацію? Скористайтесь пошуком google:

Генерація сторінки за: 0.005 сек.