Child's Labour Certificate

Child’s labour certificate,1914. Museum no. B.21-1995 (click image for larger version)

This certificate was issued by Leeds Education Authority to Annie Waggonheim in 1914. Annie was 13 years old at the time. Children needed the certificate in order to start work as it demonstrated their school work was of a reasonable standard. This system ensured that the workforce was competent at reading, maths and general knowledge, and guaranteed all children a basic level of education. Unfortunately it put pressure on bright children from poorer families to leave school as soon as possible. Once they had reached this basic standard of education they could start work and bring an extra wage to their household.

The certificate came into use under the Employment of Children Act 1903 and stipulated that no child under the age of 14 should be employed in any occupation before 6am or after 8pm or for more than nine and a half hours a day or on a Sunday. These regulations outlawed many of the bad practices relating to the employment of children, but were hard to enforce, particularly in remote mining and farming villages, or large cities with a high proportion of migrant labourers.

In times of high unemployment governments have often encouraged pupils to continue their education beyond the minimum age: it can improve their prospects of a better job, and helps keep the unemployment figures lower. When Annie left Darley Street Council School the school leaving age was 13 years.  This rose to 14 years in 1918, 15 years in 1944, and 16 years in 1972. These changes were often strongly opposed at the time - by employers and parents, and also by pupils themselves.