Historical information

The journey towards compulsory attendance in Victorian education was a gradual process, influenced by various factors such as economic conditions, social attitudes, and the need for efficient instruction. The first attempts to encourage attendance were made in the 1860s with the Revised Code of 1862, which linked payments to attendance and academic performance. However, it was not until the 1870s and 1880s that measures were taken to make attendance compulsory. The 1876 Sandon’s Acts were a significant step, compelling parents to ensure their children received efficient instruction and imposing penalties for non-compliance. The 1870 Education Act allowed School Boards to frame bye-laws for compulsory attendance between the ages of 5 and 13, but it was not until the 1880s that full compulsory attendance was established.

Physical description

Single sided document. Perforations down left side of certificate. Education Department of Victoria logo in top left of certificate. Printed certificate with hand-written details of student, numbered 63406. Certificate exempting Frank Every from further attendance at school. Dated, at White Hills, 18th November, 1895.