Early Ontario School History
Before 1842, school attendance was voluntary in Upper Canada. When the Common School Act for Upper Canada was passed in 1842, there were 31 well-established schools in Waterloo County (now Waterloo Region). Because Wellesley Township was settled later than the other townships, there were few schools in the area at that time.
Under the Common School Act, townships were divided into School Districts. The name was changed in 1846 to School Sections. The Act regulated the election of trustees, rates levied to support schools, the building of schools, teacher examination and licensing, curriculum and government grants.
During the next decade, Wellesley was surveyed and settled and schools established. By 1852 there were 79 common schools and 4 Roman Catholic separate schools in Waterloo County.
Waterloo County was incorporated in 1852 after it separated from Wellington and Grey Counties. In March of that year the first meeting of the Board of Public Instructions was held in Berlin (now Kitchener). The Board was made up of local superintendents. This role was in place from 1853 to 1871 when the Common School Act was amended. At that time Board of Public Instruction and the position of Local Superintendent were abolished and replaced by a County Board of Examiners and County Inspector. School attendance became free and compulsory.
Each school had a three-man Board of Trustees who served a three-year term. Trustees were elected on a rotating basis each year at the Annual Meeting which was usually held between Christmas and New Years. All the rate payers for the school section attended to make decisions for the next year. The custodian’s salary was approved, the price of fuel was tendered. One trustee acted as secretary and he was paid about $35 for his work. The other trustees served for free. In addition to their official duties, the trustees did a lot of work around the schoolhouse, such as repairs and maintenance.
Under the Common School Act, townships were divided into School Districts. The name was changed in 1846 to School Sections. The Act regulated the election of trustees, rates levied to support schools, the building of schools, teacher examination and licensing, curriculum and government grants.
During the next decade, Wellesley was surveyed and settled and schools established. By 1852 there were 79 common schools and 4 Roman Catholic separate schools in Waterloo County.
Waterloo County was incorporated in 1852 after it separated from Wellington and Grey Counties. In March of that year the first meeting of the Board of Public Instructions was held in Berlin (now Kitchener). The Board was made up of local superintendents. This role was in place from 1853 to 1871 when the Common School Act was amended. At that time Board of Public Instruction and the position of Local Superintendent were abolished and replaced by a County Board of Examiners and County Inspector. School attendance became free and compulsory.
Each school had a three-man Board of Trustees who served a three-year term. Trustees were elected on a rotating basis each year at the Annual Meeting which was usually held between Christmas and New Years. All the rate payers for the school section attended to make decisions for the next year. The custodian’s salary was approved, the price of fuel was tendered. One trustee acted as secretary and he was paid about $35 for his work. The other trustees served for free. In addition to their official duties, the trustees did a lot of work around the schoolhouse, such as repairs and maintenance.