It was located east of the village. In 1948 a new school was built a few hundred yards from the railroad cross¬ ing, on land purchased from George D. Jardine . While it is recorded that Major Wright sold the land for the South Freetown School Lot 26, in 1879, there are records of classes being held there in 1875 with Emeline Crosby as teacher. She had an enrollment of twenty-seven students, seventeen of whom used paper, and ten of whom used slates. It is interesting to read a report of the School Visitor for , Mr. John Arbuckle . He presented this to the Department of Education 1852, and stated "the first duty of government and the surest evidence of good government is the encouragement of education which must here as elsewhere be the work of the administration, and the expense of which all should feel the necessity and all will reap the benefit, must in a just proportion, be borne by all." He advised a fund for the entire support of our schools be raised, a suitable school house and apparatus with a convenient dwelling house for the teacher be provided in every district; and that every school house be supplied with a well qualified teacher receiving adequate renumeration. In 1853, however, the general idea in school districts was how to get the greatest possible number into the least possible space and with minimum comfort. That year the School Visitor reported, " the benches in many of our schools are so constructed that it is impossible for the child to sit with any ease. He is compelled to sit erect with no support for his back, or to lean only against the rough edge of a plank!' In the lists of teachers employed in Freetown schools there is mention of supplements voted at the local district school meetings and also amounts for contingent expenses in a number of years. It should be noted that down through the years, classes started 1st July and ended on 30 June of the following year. Up to 1852 the schools were supported mainly by voluntary subscriptions and other local efforts. That year however, the Free Education Act was passed. This permitted teachers' salaries to be paid by the Provincial Treasury. The Provincial Normal School was established in 1856 and Prince of Wales College was opened in 1860. In 1877 the Public School Act provided for a Department of Education. Thus the schools came up with more up to date methods of education. In 1879 Prince of Wales College and the Normal School were amalgamated and ladies were admitted for the first time into the former institution. This was a step towards improving the training of teachers. Other improvements in the administration of education affairs and the grading of the different schools were introduced. In 1875 Norman Stewart , School Visitor, reported that the Upper Freetown school was not fit to teach in. The trustees resolved to build a new school which if completed according to the specifications would be one of the best in the country. In 1876 the Board of Education outlined the many defects of the school system. At that time there were unsatisfactory conditions and discouraging results in nearly all the schools including those of the Freetown districts. A new act was passed appointing a Superintendent of Education, and three Inspectors; one for each County. Each district was to have three trustees to supervise the general management of school buildings. They were also empowered to keep the schools in repair, to engage and direct teachers and even to compel attendance. In the following year the trustees were entrusted with the assessment and collection of taxes in the school districts. They drew up a list of properties in each district and assessed them according to the value of property plus a poll tax of $1.00 per household. All property owners were required to pay school tax whether or not they had children in school. They were accountable every year to an annual meeting of ratepayers in each district. They were also to report to the Superintendent of Education on the conditions of the schools. Each Board of Trustees had a secretary who was responsible, for collecting taxes, paying bills, and drawing up the necessary reports. A new trustee was elected each year. The term of office was three years with the senior trustee becoming chairman in his third year of office. In 1876-77 the average yearly salary for school teachers in the province was $153.65. The teacher in Freetown school, Miss M.J. Cairns received, that amount for her work. By 1916 teachers in Freetown were receiving $275.75 for their work. All schools in the province were strictly non-sectarian. Teachers were directed to open each school day with the reading of the Scriptures, but they were not allowed to comment, and no student was to have this forced on him against his parents will. Courses varied according to the teacher. In 1890, Lower Freetown school students were taught vocal music by Janie Cairns . In 1901, Colin H. Callbeck taught scientific temperance. Theodore Ross , formerly of Ross' Corner , was a travelling instructor in agriculture and dairying under Sir William MacDonald 's scheme. The funds for the latter were supplied by Sir William , through his agent Prof. J.W. Robertson . This varied programme sometimes brought criticism. In 1899, the Inspector reported that South Freetown was trying to do too many things in their school, but not doing anything thoroughly.