Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
Board of Education
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1855-1895
History
In 1855 the office of Minister was replaced by the Board of Education, whose members were appointed by the King, and the department was named the Department of Public Instruction. The Board of Education was headed by a President, who acted as the Board's chief executive officer.
The President and Board administered the system through school agents, who in 1855 were stationed in 24 school districts throughout the Kingdom. The school agents worked semi independently with the primary responsibility in the districts to hire, pay, transfer and evaluate teachers; and build and maintain the buildings and grounds of the schools. In addition, they conducted the population census and disbursed funds allotted to them by the district tax collectors. The school agents were required to report regularly to the Board on their accomplishments and on their observations of teaching effectiveness and student attendance in the schools. There developed a steady stream of reports and correspondence between the districts and the Board of Education in Honolulu during the nineteenth century.
In 1865 the office of Inspector General of schools was created to improve the quality of instruction. The Inspector- General toured the districts, inspected and supervised, and reported his findings to the Board in Honolulu. Upon authorization of the Board, he examined, certificated, appointed, dismissed, and transferred teachers; modified courses of instruction; and opened or closed schools as the population count dictated.
In 1896, Act 57 provided for a significant reorganization of the educational establishment. The Board of Education, which was subordinate to the Minister of the Interior, and had administered public education since 1855. was replaced by a Department of Public Instruction headed by a Minister. as chief administrative officer, and six commissioners.
Places
Hawai'i
Legal status
Functions, occupations and activities
Administer education system throughput the Islands
Mandates/sources of authority
"An Act to Remodel the Department of Public Instruction." Approved 7 May 1855. "Laws of His Majesty Kamehameha IV., King of the Hawaiian Islands, passed by the Nobles and Representatives, at their session, 1855. (Session Laws, 1855)