Second report of the Royal Commissioners appointed to inquire into the endowed schools and hospitals (Scotland) : with evidence and appendix / [chairman, Sir Edward Colebrooke].

  • Scotland. Endowed Schools Commission
Date:
1874
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Second report of the Royal Commissioners appointed to inquire into the endowed schools and hospitals (Scotland) : with evidence and appendix / [chairman, Sir Edward Colebrooke]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    Mr. Thomas Davidson and Mr. Alexander Westwood. it to the poorer classes, subsequent to the founding of the original aca- tleniy ?—They have. 6168. On the whole, you are satisfied generally with the administration of the trust, but you think it is necessary on public grounds that it should be more extended ?—That is our opinion. Mr. Westtvood.—We have no fault to find with the present management. 3Ir. Davidson.— None whatever. Mr. Westivood.—There is one thing, however, which may be stated to the Commissioners. From the fact that two of the trustees are ex officio, the town has sometimes to elect a provost who might not have been elected but for the sake of the trust. We might have been pleased to elect another provost, but this is one of his most important duties, and he is selected as much for his competency to manage the academy as for his competency to manage the affairs of the town. And the same with regard to the Dean of the Guildry. He is elected, pure and simple, for the trust. We have now no Guildry in Cupar, but the office is kept up simply for the sake of keeping up the member at the board. There was a Guildry when Dr. Bell made his deed. 6169. In the report of the assistant Commissioners on Burgh Schools in 1868, some remarks were made to the effect that it was not creditable to a town with a free rental of £14,000 that absolutely nothing was con- tributed to the support of the school beyond some old buildings 1—Mr. Davidson.—The fact is, that the burgh has no funds to contribute. Previous to 1823, the burgh contributed £40 to a Latin master, who was also rector, and £20 to an English master. In the year 1823, a number of gentlemen connected with the town resolved to erect an academy, and it was erected, and the town gave one-half of the teachers' salaries. That went on down to 1832, when Dr. Bell's trust came into operation, and then the town gave Dr. Bell's trustees the use of the buildings, but were unable from the state of the burgh funds to pay any part of the salaries. They have not paid anything for 41 years. 6170. Mr. Parker.—The trustees seem to consider that the town ought to repair the buildings when that is required. Is that admitted by the town? ^No. Mr. Westivood.—We have never been called upon to do so; and the trustees have built large buildings separate and distinct from the burgh buildings. 6171. Is it the opinion generally that the management of the school is satisfactory?—At present it is; but it took the public years to get the trustees moved to make any alteration. It is difficult with ex-officio trustees to get them to think that a bad teacher should be removed, whereas Dr. Bell's deed provides for the dismissal of any one who may prove to be ^°*^6S* In point of form they are elected annually, and therefore they can be dismissed any year ']—Mr. Davidson.—Yes. Mr. Westwood.—Q\xt in fact during the last thirty years only two have been dismissed, and it took year's of pubUc agitation before that could be effected. The academy was going to the dogs very rapidly. . wt, 6173. Is the present rate of fees satisfactory ?—Some think they are high. The funds of the academy are in a very prosperous condition. About five years ago a considerable change was made in the teachers. One teacher was removed after several years of agitation, and the institu- tion took a new start. Its prosperity has gone on increasing every year and I believe that during the five years the trustees have paid off £1000 of debt, and their funds are now in a very good state. 6174 The Chairman.—There is no desire on the part of the Town Council to make any change in the academy itself 1—Mr. Davidson.—None. 6175 Or to apply any more of its funds to elementary teaching T—JNone.