The Ministry of Education (1944-1964) was a central government department governed by the Minister of Education, with responsibility in England and Wales for:
Promoting the education of people;
Developing educational institutions;
Developing policy to provide a comprehensive educational service;
The Minister of Education could appoint a Parliamentary Secretary[1] who was the junior minister in the Ministry of Education albeit still a political appointment. The following members of parliament have held the office: -
The Ministry of Education was organised into branches which were constantly re-organised over the twenty years of the ministry, but the following list is of the branches which have existed at one time or another: -
Teacher recruitment (including qualification criteria & entrance exams) and teacher training through specialist teacher training colleges ensuring an adequate supply of teachers.
Distribution of information to the general public including films, exhibitions at conferences, liaising with the press, publications and ministerial briefings for announcements in parliament & press interviews.
Provision of further education including evening institutes, juvenile instruction centres, short courses, books needed at public libraries, residential colleges, polytechnics, vocational courses, agricultural colleges, sports, arts etc. etc.
This branch was later sub-divided into the University Branch and Adult Education and Youth services Branches
Interpretation of the Education Act 1944 was subject to 'precedents' from a body of knowledge and previous decisions by at least Assistant Secretary or the Legal Branch.
For aid and grants to students through state scholarships and local education authority awards. Financial assistance was extended to those in universities, with particular emphasis on scientific scholarships.
Separate inspectorates existed for England and Wales. The inspectorate carried out compulsory inspections of schools and educational institutes and reported deficiencies requiring remediation. In addition policy was reviewed & revised through panels from reports and surveys from the inspectorate.
Decisions on how acts of parliament should be interpreted. This is for uncertain cases, whereas the Schools Branch deflected cases where a precedent already existed. Legal opinions were given by the Law Officers of the Crown ( Attorney General and the Solicitor General) in response to enquiries concerning points of law.
Ministry of Education staff and Inspectorate concerning changes in office procedure or organization, promotions, allowances and formation of new committees. Effectively equivalent to a modern day HR department
The collection and presentation of statistics such as the level of supply of teachers, appraising shortages of, for example, science and technology graduates, numbers of immigrant pupils etc.
The Education Act 1944 set-up two Central Advisory Councils for Education, one for England and one for Wales. The Minister of Education appointed the members of each council which were mainly made-up of:[26] -
Senior and experienced educators in the public education system (e.g. a senior experienced & highly qualified nursery nurse)
Scholars in the theories of learning who were often university professors
The Ministry of Education provided secretaries to the councils and funded their time, the Minister appointed the chairmen of the councils.
The councils advised the minister on questions raised by the minister or issues identified by the councils.
The advice was either made public through published reports or kept confidentially within the ministry.
References
^ abcde"Education Act". Legislation.gov.uk. Section 1. 1944 – via The National Archives.
^"Education (Scotland) Act". Legislation.gov.uk. Part III - Administration & Staffing. 1945 – via The National Archives.