[From Education Week,1926]

The Work of the Education Authority

THE Isle of Man Education Authority came into existence on the passing of the Education Act, 1920, when all powers and duties then vested in the 21 School Boards and the four Higher Education Boards in the Island were transferred to the Authority.

When the new Authority took up their duties it was found that,. owing to the War and other causes , many of the school premises throughout the Island were in a bad state of repair. During the past 5 years a very considerable sum has been expended in repairing , painting and decorating school premises and in improving the sanitary and heating arrangements. It may now be said that school premises throughout the Island generally are in a good state of repair.

Many of the schools were found to be furnished with desks of an obsolete type, and where necessary modern desks have been provided. Pianos have been furnished, and no school is now without a suitable musical instrument. Sewing machines have also been supplied to many of the larger schools in town and country districts.

The Authority have given special attention to the improvement of the teaching staffs and this has resulted in increased efficiency of the schools generally, as is proved by the results of the examination of the older children made by the Authority annually and by the Reports of H . M . Inspectors. The concluding remarks in the Government Triennial Report recently issued may be quoted as showing the satisfactory condition of the Elementary Schools of the Island

"On the whole the Council may feel confident that the Schools are being wisely and efficiently looked after, and are developing on thoroughly sound and progressive lines."

Considerable attention has also been given to the physical training of the pupils, and to the teaching of practical subjects, such as Woodwork, School Gardening, Cookery, Laundry-work, Needlework, and the care of Infants, and it is intended further to develop this important side of school life.

In 1922 the Ramsey Grammar School was established as a Secondary School to meet the needs of the Northern area. The School is at present carried on in temporary premises and in the old grammar School buildings which have been adapted for the teaching of the Science subjects . At present over 200 pupils are in attendance at the School, and the limited accommodation will soon be insufficient to meet the natural development.

The provision of a new School is a subject that must receive the early consideration of the Authority.

A Secondary School to accommodate 400 boys is now in course of erection in Douglas and it is hoped that it will be ready for occupation this year. This School will serve the Southern , Eastern and Western areas of the Island. When the new Boys’ School is completed it is proposed to adapt the present premises in Park Road as a Secondary School for Girls and this will then serve the same areas as the Boys ‘ School.

A new school is in course of erection at the Four Roads, Port St. Mary, which will accommodate about 450 boys, girls and infants. Provision will be made in the School for the instruction of the older pupils of the district in ‘ ‘Central Classes." The establishment of this new School and the closing of the five small schools in the area will lead to increased efficiency with economy.

The Authority have approved a scheme which has been sanctioned by the Council of Education for the erection of a new School at Laxey on lines similar to the Rushen New School. When completed this will provide for the children now attending the three Laxey Schools.

Central Classes have been established at the Clothworkers’ School, Peel, which will meet the requirements of the older pupils in the Western area. This has necessitated the provision of a laboratory and of additional modern furniture and apparatus, and three Graduate Teachers have been appointed to the school staff. The school is developing on sound lines.

"Central Classes" are also now attached to several of the larger Schools in the Island, the object of these classes being to provide advanced instruction for pupils who do not wish to enter Secondary Schools.

The Authority have recently purchased the Gymnasium premises adjoining the School of Art, Douglas, and it is proposed to establish there a gymnasium for Elementary School pupils, a Domestic Science Centre and a Handicraft Room adapted for the teaching of Wood work and Metal work, the existing Centres for these subjects being inadequate.

One of the most important duties that devolved upon the Authority on the Education Act 1920 coming into operation was that of setting up a School Medical Service. This has now been in active and successful operation for three years. Details of the work are given elsewhere in this handbook.

With the aid of a grant from the Trustees of the Carnegie Trust, a Library has been established, mainly to meet the needs of country readers. The Schools throughout the Island are used as distributing centres, and the Teachers act as Honorary Local Librarians . The scheme is not yet in full operation, but promises to be highly successful.

The scheme for Scholarships from Elementary to Secondary Schools which formerly was confined to children residing in the Eastern District, is now ‘applicable to the whole Island. All pupils attending Secondary Schools or Central Classes who are resident three miles or upwards from the School are given free travelling facilities where such are available.

In the country Schools, as well as in Central Class Schools and Secondary Schools attended by children who have long distances to travel, arrangements have made for the children to take a midday meal. at the School and suitable tables and utensils have been provided for the purpose.

There are in several of the towns and parishes of the Island certain Educational Endowments the income of which is now available for the provision of Scholarships to Secondary Schools and other Educational Institutions, including Universities, Technological, Agricultural and Domestic Colleges, and Farm Schools, etc. These Scholarships, how-sever, are for the benefit only of persons resident in the particular parish or town in respect of which the Endowments were originally created.

This is but a brief survey of the more important subjects that have occupied the attention of the Authority during the past five years, but it is sufficient to show the nature of the problems facing the Authority on its inception and the vigour with which they have been dealt.