Locality, Education and Authority in Scotland: 1902-2002 (via 1872)

ABSTRACT This paper offers a synoptic survey of forms of local management and administration of education (primarily schooling) in Scotland in the century from 1902 to the present. It considers the operation of the school boards from 1872 to 1918, the ad hoc authorities from 1918 to 1929, the county and city councils from 1929 to 1974, the regional councils from 1974 to 1995 and the unitary authorities from 1995 to 2002. It explores the circumstances surrounding the establishment and demise of each successive form of local educational administration in Scotland and concludes by considering the prospects for further change in the future, following the devolution of domestic powers -- including powers over education -- to the recently (re-)established Scottish parliament.