Free, Compulsory and Secular - Lesson 7 Flashcards
What did the Education Acts state in 1872?
In 1873 the state governments passed a series of Education Acts.
Education for all children was now to be free, compulsory and secular.
What was the Australian community in conflict about?
There was a fierce debate in the Australian community about the place of religion in education.
Finally the Education Acts said that all schools would now be secular.
What did the conflict from the Australian community result in?
This meant that they would not be associated with any Church, and that religion would not be part of the school curriculum.
They would be free and all children had to attend.
What role did the government have regarding the Catholic Church?
Catholic Church relied on government funding to run its schools.
What benefits did the bishops have to Australia?
The bishops brought to Australia many religious orders of women and men, who lived in poverty themselves and taught huge classes of children in rickety buildings with very few resources.
What was the purpose of the Catholic schools?
The Catholics were very clear about the purpose of their schools:
→ teach their children the true faith
→ to enable their children to take that faith into all walks of Australian life.
Secular Definition:
Not connected with religious or spiritual matters
Statute/Act Definition:
A written law passed by a legislative body.
What occurred up until the passing of the acts, and what was the reaction to this?
Up until the passing of the Acts, the Catholic Church, alongside other Christian denominations, had run its own system of primary schools, financially supported by the government. There was resentment of this situation in many sectors of the community, and bitterness and suspicion of Catholics and their schools.
Which church aspired to become the official church in Australia, and what occurred as a result of this?
The Church of England (Anglican Church) aspired to be the official Church in Australia, and other tensions arose between various Protestant denominations.
Which catholics were seen as dangerous radicals?
Catholics, most of them, were seen as interlopers, almost tribal in their loyalty to each other and their Church. Many of them were descendants of convicts who had been deported to Australia for their opposition to British rule in Ireland. They were seen as dangerous radicals by many in the government and in the protestant Churches.
What was one of the factors that led to the Education Acts?
One of the factors that led to the Education Acts was suspicion of Catholics and their schools in the Australian community.
Explain the meaning of Australian schools being “free, compulsory and secular”
You don’t have to pay for education, but you have to attend school up to 16 years, and you don’t learn anything religious.
What is “The little green catechism”?
The little green catechism up until the 1950’s was a little book on religious education, which was rewritten in 1937.
What would students’ religion lesson be like?
The day’s religion lesson woul consist of students reciting aloud the answers of the catechism, which dealt with all matters of belief, moral life and Chruch laws. Had a unique Irish spirituality.
