EDUCATION. (Hansard, 20 February 1839)

§ Mr. Wyse

rose to move an address to her Majesty, that she will be graciously pleased to appoint a Board of Commission of Education in England, with the view especially of providing for the wise, equitable, and efficient application of sums granted, or to be granted, for the advancement of education by Parliament; and for the immediate establishment of Schools for the education of teachers in accord with the intention already expressed by the Legislature. The motion which he had given notice of on the first day of the Session was in the same words as that which he had brought under the notice of the House during the last Session, and therefore it would not be his duty to detain the House at any great length. In 1833, and every year since, the House had granted a sum of 20,000l. for the purpose of education, which had been divided between two bodies, but as they were comparatively private bodies, and as they had no system of inspection, they were totally inadequate to the necessities of the country. By their system they excluded Roman Catholics from their schools, and therefore it was of no use to a large portion of the population most requiring education. Much dissatisfaction also existed with respect to the body through whom the sums came. It was objected, that the Treasury was not the proper body, having so many and such important duties to perform, to have the control of the education of the country. Therefore on this ground last year he brought forward his motion, which was very fully discussed. At that time it was permitted to him to take any course he pleased. Now the course he intended to take was in some degree anticipated by the plan of her Majesty's Ministers. It appeared there was no wish on their part to interfere with the conscientious opinions 699 of the people. He, however, much wished that the system of education should be agreeable to the general feelings of the people, beeause, in his opinion, this country should be the last to endeavour to force any system on the people contrary to their inclinations. He would merely say, that a combined and tolerant was the best system, and asked the Government, which would have the distribution of the public money, to support that system. He thought the mode of instruction, in regard to religion, should be selected by the religious ministers of the locality. He took the liberty to enter on subjects of that kind, because imputations had been thrown out against him, or rather his objects had been impugned by the Church party. He should, however, take the liberty of distinctly stating his opinion, and he thought it right, that the Establishment should support the schools wherever it was practicable. Owing to certain circumstances at the commencement of the present year, he gave a notice with the design of submitting to the House the same motion as he had made last Session, but he found by the statement of the noble Lord, that the subject had gained the attention of Ministers, who appeared now to take the matter seriously in hand. He found, that attention had been paid to what he had said, and that there was a willingness to adopt the principle of his resolutions in its fullest extent, and to supply the deficiency of national education. The time would shortly arrive, when, by the estimates coming before the House, it would see to what extent the Government meant to carry its system. Not feeling himself justified, under those circum stances, in calling for a division or a discussion on the subject he would withdraw his motion.