Old Photograph Boys And Girls At School In Dundee Scotland

Old photograph of boys and girls at School in Dundee, Scotland. Scotland has long enjoyed an international reputation as historically one of the best-educated societies in the world. The foundation for this reputation was laid in the 17th century and was the result of Calvinist emphasis on reading the Bible. Putting men and women in touch with the word of God was seen by the Scottish authorities and clergy as of paramount importance. To achieve this goal schools paid for by the Church of Scotland and local landowners were established in all rural parishes and burghs by an Act of Parliament in 1696. These educational establishments were run by the Church and were open to all boys and girls regardless of social status. The democratic nature of the Scottish system so impressed the 18th century writer Daniel Defoe that he remarked that while England was a land " full of ignorance ", in Scotland the " poorest people have their children taught and instructed ". The openness of the Scottish system ran all the way from the schoolroom to the university. A talented working class boy the " lad o'pairts " through intelligence and hard work and by utilising a generous system of bursaries was able to gain a university education, something largely unthinkable in England in the 18th century.



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