In December 1892 going into January 1893, Blantyre Schools closed for almost 5 weeks.
Thinking a festive holiday of 5 weeks for children was very unusual and absolutely unique to Blantyre history, I decided to research what was going on. I was surprised at the outcome, which was yet again another reminder how we now take things for granted nowadays!
On Friday 2nd December, a special meeting of Blantyre School Board took place. An emergency meeting held in the Board room at Stonefield Parish School (Ness’s). The purpose was what to do with the schools now that cases of infectious diseases in the parish had reached an epidemic level!
The Clerk submitted a report compiled from earlier that day from all Blantyre schools, which showed no less than 628 children were off that one day alone, their reason being contraction of an infectious disease.
He had no other option that to recommend the immediate closure of the schools for at least 3 weeks in the hope that outbreak could be contained. However, combined with the festive holidays, the closure would more likely be closer to five weeks!
The figures were about 30% of all pupils, a concerning statistic in itself. There were a large number of enteric fever and scarlet fever, measles and whooping cough with sores on hands, eyes and feet also prevalent. During the previous week, the number of cases had rapidly grown.
Mr William Small reminded the board that the teachers would effectively be paid to do nothing in that time and it would be worthwhile if they did something charitable such as attending to the poor of the parish. The Board however, rejected this not the basis it wasn’t in teachers contracts and that they themselves may be at risk of contracting something should they endeavour on that path.
As such, all pupils and teachers were off in Blantyre in December 1892. Can you just imagine the teachers breaking this news to the well pupils still at school at the start of December! I have to wonder too, what additional pressure this put on parents.
AI pictures the scene
