2. Dismal Education Opportunities
Before the Elementary Education Act of 1870, schooling was not compulsory, and many children received little to no formal education, limiting prospects for upward mobility. The Act established school boards to oversee and complete the network of schools and to bring them all under some form of supervision. However, it wasn’t until the Elementary Education Act of 1880 that attendance became mandatory for children aged 5 to 10 (leicester.net). Despite these legislative efforts, access to quality education remained limited, particularly for the working class, hindering social mobility and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
