The Young Flashcards
Topic sentance
Another group that the liberal reforms targeted was the “Young”
Knowledge 1
The Liberals implemented the Education (provision of meals) Act, 1906 which permitted local authorities to provide free school meals for poor children.
Analysis 1
Overall, the number of school meals provided rose from 3 million in 1906 to 9 million in 1910 and then to 14 million in 1914. Reducing poverty amongst the young.
Analysis 2
This was a success as it diagnosed children with many killer diseases which they then provided advice on how to treat it.
Knowledge 2
The liberals also passed the Education Act (medical inspection of schools) Act, 1906 which set up a medical department to carry out medical inspections of all school children.
Counter Analysis
Although these reforms brought great successes, even by 1912, over half the local authorities had not set up a school meals service. This brought limitations to its success.
Evaluation
Overall, it is clear that the Liberals did take steps to address poverty amongst the young. However, some historians argue that whilst the Liberals introduced progressive legislation to support young people to flourish, the credit for free school meals lies with a Labour backbencher, William Wilson who raised the issue initially as a Private Members Bill. Moreover, the Liberals weren’t particularly enthusiastic about the Medical Inspection as it knew it would reveal chronic health problems which would leas to demands for a publicly funded medical service. Finally, although the reforms had limitations to them, the actions taken by the government for this group of people had the best attitude, action, and impact.