Edith, Herb (in a skirt) and baby Marion. Around 1888
This is a book review from 1916 from Quebec Protestant Educational Report addressing an age old question: Educational Reform was already in the works before the war started. Many of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Industrial Training and Technical Education were being implemented in 1916. I think it could be argued that one reason for WWI was an over population of under-skilled workers.
(At least I have read it argued.)
Of course, this is a war where the elite lost as many of their men as the poor.
“This is a practical and earnest study of a serious problem, namely,that of determining how far education may serve to modify or counteract the social distresses and more particularly those which are incident to city life under the present industrial system.
Principal Morgan is chiefly concerned, apparently, to state clearly the extent to which popular education can overcome the influencs of bad heredity, and bad environment and to determine the kind of education which can best serve the cause of social progress. The causes of social diseases are Heredity, Environment and Defective Education. From this thesis the author proceeds to a careful discussion of the educational remedies. the wider modern outlook in education is approved. The school is concerned with the physical health of the pupils and it must also adapt its teachings to practical life.
The war at present devastating Europe, will for generations increase the importance of education as a factor in social progress. After the war solicitious care of public health wil become a cardinal feature of social policy, and more attention than ever will be paid to everything connected with the health of the young.
Increased economy of industrial force, too, will be necessary. Thousands of workers trained in manufactures and commerce have been lost in the war and the prosperity of the country will only be restored by the increased efficiency of those who remain. We must give children, who will take the place, in a short time, of the workers who have fallen in war, a longer and better education and a more practical training, a training that will develop their mental powers and be at the same time a preparation for life.
The gap between the elementary school age and the threshold of manhood and womanhood must be filled by an adequate system of continuing education, including more thorough trade and technical education.
It is the children at present being educated in the schools who will bring to fruition in the next generation the possibilities of the coming peace.
