In the history of education in the United Kingdom, a pivotal moment for free education was marked by the Elementary Education Act of 1891. This Act was a significant step towards providing accessible education to all, as it mandated the state payment of school fees up to ten shillings per head. With this provision, primary education effectively became free for many families who previously struggled to afford schooling for their children.
Following the Elementary Education Act of 1891, another crucial development came with the Elementary Education (School Attendance) Act of 1893. This Act further extended the reach of free education by raising the school leaving age to 11. By increasing the compulsory attendance age, more children had the opportunity to benefit from formal education without financial constraints.
These Acts of 1891 and 1893 laid the foundation for the modern system of free education in the UK, making it accessible to a broader range of socioeconomic backgrounds. They were pivotal in shaping the educational landscape of the country and ensuring that all children had the chance to receive an education regardless of their financial circumstances.
(Response: Education became free in the UK with the Elementary Education Act of 1891, which mandated the state payment of school fees up to ten shillings per head. This was further extended by the Elementary Education (School Attendance) Act of 1893, which raised the school leaving age to 11, making primary education effectively free for many families.)