| Description | In this address Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury remarks how the First World War was 'checking all progress' in England's schools, referring to public criticism of the education system. She outlines the increased focus in recent times on the home life, education and health of young people and remarks on the numerous educational societies which had emerged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She explores the impact of the First World War on children and education and refers to the influence which utilitarian considerations may have in post-war schooling.
Taylor Cadbury emphasises the importance of children continuing their education beyond the age of fourteen when many children entered employment. She advocates the extension of opportunities for further education by promoting the character forming influences of education on older children. Taylor Cadbury remarks on the German education system to support her argument for the extension of the school-leaving age. She Taylor Cadbury suggests that the return of servicemen following the end of the war would decrease the need for children in the labour market.
Taylor Cadbury's address also considers improvements in the staffing of schools and the reduction of class size. She states that 'overcrowding and understaffing' were amongst the 'most serious' mistakes in the education system, remarking 'what chance has the teacher of really knowing and understanding the 50 or 60 children he undertakes to train for the serious duty of living!'
Taylor Cadbury expresses criticism of the amount of money spent on England's military campaign against Germany, advocating a larger economic investment in education. She emphasises the importance of teaching which she praises as 'one of the noblest' and most 'patriotic' of professions. She also refers to the ideas concerning education explored in 'The History of Mr. Polly' (1910) by H. G. Wells. Taylor Cadbury concludes her address by suggesting that the story of the First World War could be utilised to encourage children's interest in history and to promote a broader understanding of international relations, creating a healthy sense of patriotism which would prevent future warfare. |