The appointment of the local schoolmaster,
or dominie, was an important responsibility of the parish. The schoolmaster,
because of his scholarship, was a key member of the local community,
second only to the minister himself. More often than not he had studied
at a university, although poorer parishes were not able to afford such
a scholar. All had to subscribe to the Confession of Faith - a 40 page
document. Some parishes set an examination for their prospective dominie.
Often the successful candidate would be installed at a formal ceremony,
perhaps with parents crowding onto the benches usually occupied by their
children. The kirk minister would start with prayers followed by the provost
praising the parish’s newly appointed dominie. In some parishes the
tradition was for the new schoolmaster to teach their first lesson in the
presence of both the children and their parents and local dignitaries.
He would then be presented with the keys of the school together with rent
free accommodation in the school house.
The dominie had tenure for life; dismissals were uncommon, usually on
grounds of religion, politics or morals or an over enthusiastic punishment
of pupils with his tawse. There is a record of one Invernesshire schoolmaster
who began teaching at the age of 29 and died 70 years later still in post.
The dominie’s teaching would be subject to an annual scrutiny by
local dignitaries until 1840, thereafter by government inspectors. Tradition
has it that the dominie typically wore black clothes: dark trousers, frock
coat all covered by his academic gown. His local salary would be augmented
by the fees paid by the children, although the poorest could be supported
from parish funds. He might also undertake other community responsibilities
such as acting as clerk, book keeper, surveyor or factor; or he might provide
private tutoring or even write textbooks. For some, the role of teacher
was a steppingstone to higher things. The minister’s status and salary
were a particular attraction and dominies often undertook further theological
studies.
Children would enter the parish school at the age or 6 or 7. In the class
the younger pupils would work alongside the older ones. The day was often
a long one, sometimes beginning as early as 5 in the morning although more
often at 6. The alphabet would be learned through the Shorter Catechism
and from 1616 all children had to learn the Catechism by heart. Reading
progressed through the Proverbs to the Bible itself. The minister would
examine the pupils on their ability to read the Bible. The majority of
children would not progress much beyond this stage of reading. However,
some older pupils would advance to arithmetic and Latin and a few to writing.
A number of parish schools prepared their more able pupils for direct entrance
to university. In the Lowlands of Scotland even this basic education meant
that there was almost universal literacy. A practice common throughout
Scotland at the beginning of the 19th century was the public examination
of pupils held on the morning of the last day of the summer term. The Scottish
education system helped the brighter boys, with parental and teacher support,
to advance beyond his roots. Thomas Carlyle, writer, historian and polymath,
was born into relative poverty in Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, yet through
the schooling and support available was able to go to Edinburgh University
and on to London.
The local dominie often worked in isolation from others in his profession.
Devising his own methods he would endeavour to teach his class despite
its wide range of ages and abilities. He might take the older more able
boys in a special class before or after the rest of the school. Some of
these would progress to the larger burgh schools, and a few to university
usually at the age of 14 or 15. Here they would find even larger classes,
with knowledge drilled in by the lecturer. Many lasted only one or two
sessions before leaving for a job.
......
on to Part 2 |
