Before the Industrial Revolution and reforms, education was scarce, expensive, and restricted to males. The only formal education provided to British children were religious schools. Reformers believed that they needed to have a literate workforce and that education should be available to even the poorest.

By the late 1800s, reformers fought to have the government set up public schools and require basic education for all children. In schools, students were taught discipline, patriotism, and work habits. In 1833, the government passed the Factory Act making two hours of education a day compulsory for children working in factories. The government also granted money to charities for schools for the first time. In 1844, the Ragged Schools Union was set up to give schooling to very poor children. In 1880, the Education Act made school attendance compulsory for children up to the age of 10. The 1902 Education Act established a system of secondary schools or high schools. Reforms also led to the opening of colleges and universities as well as libraries.

In your doc...

1. Why did this reform movement begin?
2. What were the goals of this reform movement?
3. What impact did this reform movement have?