There were two types of one teacher schools in Queensland:
- state schools
- provisional schools.
One teacher state schools characteristics:
- funded entirely by the State
- staffed by a teacher with more education/training than those appointed
to provisional schools
- originally had to maintain an average attendance of at least 30 pupils
- provided with a State school building for a permanent daily attendance
of not less than 12 children (Education Regulations 1909)
- built on land owned entirely by the Department of Public Instruction (Education
Regulations 1876)
- usually one room, with a veranda in front, sealed and lined
- pre-1920 the building was set on low stumps with a separate play shed
- originally built with a shingle roof but this was replaced by galvanized
iron in 1890s (resulting in improved drinking water).
Provisional
schools characteristics:
- always one teacher schools
- established by the Minister for Education for the temporary provision
of primary instruction to children
- not state schools
- average attendance of between 12 and 30 pupils or face possible closure
- buildings provided by locals at their expense
- built either on private land, Crown land or land vested in the Minister
for Education
- also conducted in tents, bush or railway huts, rooms or verandas of private
homes, deserted hotels and farm sheds
- school committees responsible for maintenance of the school.
Role of the one teacher school »
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Last updated: December 2007
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