Problems facing young Problems facing young peoplepeople

Children faced many problems in the early 1900s.

These included health issues caused by poverty, a difficulty accessing education and other issues such as being forced to work in dangerous conditions.

Schools mealsSchools meals

In 1906, newly elected Labour MPs began pushing for the government to introduce free school meals. They argued that as the government had made school attendance compulsory, they should ensure children were well fed too.

Schools Meals ActSchools Meals Act

The Liberal Government introduced the Provision of School Meals Act in 1906.

This law let councils raise local taxes to pay for school meals, if they chose to do so. Only poor children would get free school meals.

School meal problemsSchool meal problems

The 1906 law only gave councils the option to introduce school meals; most chose not do so.

In 1911 less than one third of councils had introduced school meals. In 1914 the government made the law compulsory and agreed to pay some of the costs.

School meal problemsSchool meal problems

Another problem was that children receiving these meals still went hungry at weekends and during school holidays.

Researchers found that children’s weight fell and development slowed during holiday periods.

Checking children's healthChecking children's health

Before 1907, inspectors would visit some schools to perform at least three inspections, including checking on cleanliness and for eye problems.

But this did not happen for each child – or lead to medical treatment if needed.

Medical inspectionsMedical inspections

In 1907 the Liberals introduced compulsory medical inspections for school children.

This meant that every school child would be checked at least three times during their school life to identify health problems the child had.

Medical problemsMedical problems

The 1907 law meant children were inspected for health problems – but poor children did not actually get treatment for any problems identified.

In 1912 free basic medical treatment for school children was offered, helping fix some health problems.

The Children’s CharterThe Children’s Charter

Victorian children had very little protection from problems such as abuse, poverty or dangerous work.

The 1908 Children’s Act aimed to change this by having a set of rules designed to protect children, especially the very poorest.

The Children’s CharterThe Children’s Charter

The Charter introduced a minimum age for people to drink alcohol and smoke (16).

Changes were also made to young people accused of committing crimes. This included setting up juvenile courts and also bortsals instead of prison.

Charter problemsCharter problems

The bill did include many real improvements for children. However not all parts of the law were introduced in 1908, meaning it did not help as many children as possible.

Also the range of rules meant it was difficult to fully enforce e.g. drinking, smoking.

School scholarshipsSchool scholarships

In 1907 the government spent more money on scholarships to attend secondary schools.

Poor children who passed an exam had their school fees paid for them. 25% of school places were reserved for these scholarships.

School scholarshipsSchool scholarships

This policy did offer a help to poor students who passed the exam. However it was of little help to most poor students.

Also some poor families needed their children to work so could not afford to let them stay on at school.