Throughout its history, Southampton has experienced numerous industrial conflicts, yet none were as peculiar as the occasion when young students from the area decided to go on strike.
Rumours began to circulate far and wide regarding a growing dissatisfaction among students in classrooms in October 1889. The dissatisfaction stemmed from various issues such as lengthy school hours, excessive homework assignments, and rising tuition fees.
However, the primary demand echoing through the halls was the plea to abolish the use of corporal punishment in schools, specifically the cane.
“The neighbourhood is a poor one and it appears that a large number of boys are in the habit of selling newspapers, and have become familiar with the strikes amongst schoolboys and others elsewhere,’’ said a report in the Hampshire Advertiser, a forerunner of the Daily Echo, at the time.
“A number of boys beyond the school age, who have, made themselves the terror of the neighbourhood appeared in the vicinity of the Eastern District schools, just before the usual time to enter therein, and endeavoured to provoke an outbreak among the schoolboys, urging them to go out on strike.
(Image: Echo)
“Some disturbance was caused, but at the usual time of opening the school there was above the average number of boys waiting to go in, and after the scholars had been admitted to the playground, in order to prevent any possible upset, the gates were locked, and thus, perhaps, a few boys who were a little late were unable to gain admittance, but afterwards they gave satisfactory reasons and this had no connection with the so-called strike.’’ Before long, a pair of officers patrolled the area outside the school, while in the afternoon, numerous mothers assembled near the gate to ensure their children weren't intimidated.
“Next day the police were in attendance to prevent interference with the scholars on the part of boys who are older, and should know better, but the boys who, undoubtedly for mischief, are seeking to promote discontent among the scholars, did not put in an appearance.’’ Those determined to cause trouble had moved on and did their best to persuade the children attending St. Denys Board School not to attend classes.
“The rough boys were armed with sticks and endeavoured to induce the boys not to attend school in the afternoon,’’ said the Hampshire Advertiser.
(Image: Echo)
“They were successful in inducing about a dozen who joined with them in consequence of the novelty of the thing of from sheer fear, to remain away, but the roughs were not permitted to exercise their calling long, as Police Sergeant Fielder, who is stationed at Portswood Police Station, came on the scene and drove them to the Bitterne side of Cobden Bridge where they had to remain for the rest of the afternoon.
“The steps the police are taking will no doubt put a stop to these unruly proceedings on the part of the rough boys who hang about the streets of Southampton ready to lead younger ones into any kind of sin and mischief.’’ Following a series of brief disruptions, including a final incident near Shirley School, there were no more incidents reported in the Hampshire Advertiser.
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