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Lord Shaftesbury and Ragged Schools (dramatisation)

Charles Dickens presents a topical chat show about the importance of education in Victorian times. We meet Anthony Ashley Cooper, also known as Lord Shaftesbury, champion of children's rights in parliament. He talks about his Ten Hour Act, which was at first rejected by parliament and aimed to restrict child working to ten hours a day. We learn about the Ragged Schools movement, which gave poor children some education for the first time. He also talks about how and why he started Ragged Schools and speaks to children about their views on education. Classes were held in homes and halls during the day and in the evening to fit in with the children's work. Charles Dickens speaks to Ragged School pupils who explain how difficult it is to come to school after a long day's work.

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Duration:

6 minutes