The Ystradyfodwg School Board, covering the rapidly growing
Rhondda Valley
Rhondda , or the Rhondda Valley ( ), is a former coal mining, coalmining area in South Wales, historically in the county of Glamorgan. It takes its name from the River Rhondda, and embraces two valleys – the larger Rhondda Fawr valley (, 'la ...
s was formed in 1878 and consisted of thirteen members elected for a period of three years.
It was abolished, along with other
School Board
A board of education, school committee or school board is the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or an equivalent institution.
The elected council determines the educational policy in a small regional area, ...
s in 1902 and its responsibilities transferred to
Glamorgan County Council
Glamorgan County Council was established in 1889 together with the administrative county of Glamorganshire under the Local Government Act 1888. The first elections to the council were held in January 1889. The council was abolished under the Loca ...
.
In the main, the members were local industrialists, tradesmen, nonconformist ministers and, in later years, a smattering of working men. A number of prominent figures in the public life of the Rhondda served their apprenticeship on the Board.
The 1878 School Board Election
The initial Board included
William Abraham (Mabon), the future MP for the Rhondda.
The 1881 School Board Election
The second election took place in 1881. "On the whole, commented a local newspaper, "we think this may be taken to be a fair representative Board."
The 1884 School Board Election
The third election took place in 1884.
The 1887 School Board Election
Following the success of
William Abraham (Mabon) at the 1885 General Election the School Board election was contested by
Labour candidates.
The 1890 School Board Election
The fifth election was held in October 1890.
The 1893 School Board Election
The sixth election was held in October 1893.
References
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History of education in Wales
School boards in the United Kingdom