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Facts and figures

Did you know that:

• in 1851 the maximum number of pupils for a one-teacher school was 100? This compares to 24 pupils in 2008

• The Public Instruction Act, 1880 required the attendance of children between the ages of 6 and 14 years for a period of not less than 70 days (=14 weeks) every half-year? This compares to about 20 weeks every half-year in 2008

• from 1848 to 1880 tuition fees paid by pupils were used by teachers to augment their income

• until 1875 parents had to pay one-third of the cost of buildings

• until 1882 the period of training for teachers was six months with those showing promise receiving 12 months from 1876

For more facts and figures you can browse the subjects on the left.