AGY-96 | Inspector of Schools Branch

Full description

The Public Schools Act, 1866 legislated for the appointment of inspectors employed by the Council of Education: "The Council of Education ... shall have the authority to establish and maintain public school, to grant aid to certain denominational schools and subject to the provisions hereinafter contained to appoint and remove teachers and school inspectors..." With the passing of the Public Instruction Act all business of an educational nature was transferred to the control of the Department of Public Instruction. The Public Instruction Act also repealed the Public Schools Act of 1866. In 1880 the Inspection Branch of the newly established Department of Public Instruction underwent administrative change as a result of a number of factors: the Public Instruction Act of 1880 (resulting in a marked increase in the number of children under instruction, overcrowding of schools, and the establishment of temporary accommodation), reliance placed upon inspectors for information covering a great variety of topics connected with schools and teachers, and the inspectors involvement in the proper conduct of schools. A Chief Inspector was appointed, whose duties were to supervise the whole inspectorial staff, together with the general control of schools and teachers. Seven district inspectors were also appointed to supervise six major districts within New South Wales. They were responsible for conditions of all schools in his district; for their regular and systematic inspection, and for the execution of all matters relating to their condition and management that may have been referred to him for inquiry and report from the central office. The main objectives sought from the District Inspectors are efficiency in the work of inspection and dispatch and thoroughness in dealing with questions that may have arisen in connection with the administration of the system of public instruction. Each District Inspector was assisted by one or more Inspectors according to the number of schools under his charge. The whole staff of the Chief Inspector's Branch comprised seven District Inspectors and fifteen Inspectors. It was noted that this number was inadequate to meet the rapidly widening operations of the department caused by the numerous applications for, and establishment of, new schools throughout the several districts of the Colony. The Chief Inspector's Branch was responsible for the following functions: 1880:
* inspection of the physical conditions of schools under the Department;
* corporal punishment and discipline of students;
* subjects of instruction;
* supervision of teachers employed by the Department; and
* the training and placement of student-teachers within the Department. 1890:
* course of instruction and standard of proficiency
* discipline
* drill
* inspection of schools within New South Wales. 1903:
* inspection of school buildings;
* enrolment and attendance;
* school fees
* training schools
* subsidised schools
* cadet force
* manual training and science teaching
* teachers;
* exemption certificates; and
* inspection of schools. 1911:
* school attendance
* sanitation
* new school buildings
* remodelling of old premises
* class instruction and school syllabus
* physical training
* parents' and citizens' associations
* school gardens. 1914:
* classification of children;
* classification of schools;
* syllabus of instruction;
* phonetics;
* departmental text books;
* scripture lessons;
* home lessons;
* arrangement of children in outlying settlements;
* building repairs; and
* improvements in internal arrangements of schools. From the 1920's the Chief Inspector's Branch did not issue a report within the annual report of the Minister for Public Instruction. However, it is possible to track their activities through expenditure details included within subsequent annual reports. 1923:
The Inspector's Branch is listed within "Receipts and Disbursements of the Department of Public Instruction", 1924 (Annual Report of the Minister of Public Instruction, 1924). 1949:
Departmental Inspectors listed as having received a special grant for an Interstate Inspector's Conference, 1949 (Report of the Minister of Public Instruction, 1949). 1973/4:
Inspectorial Staff received a significant budget according to the Annual Report of the Minister for Education, 1974. REFERENCES
(1) Minister for Public Instruction Annual Report, 1880, 1890, 1903, 1910, 1914, 1921, 1923, 1949.
(2) Public Service Lists, 1880 - 1960.
(3) "Concise Guide", 2nd Edition. "D - G", "Inspection Branch" p.50.