Monitorial

Monitorial refers to a system of education that was popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This method, also known as the Bell-Lancaster system after its proponents Andrew Bell and Joseph Lancaster, utilized older or more advanced students to teach younger or less advanced students. These senior students, called "monitors," would instruct small groups of their peers under the supervision of a single teacher. The core principle was that by dividing the class into smaller groups, a teacher could manage a larger number of students than traditional methods allowed.

The monitorial system aimed to provide basic education to a wider population, particularly those who could not afford traditional schooling. It was seen as an economical and efficient way to impart literacy and numeracy skills. Monitors were trained by the head teacher and were responsible for teaching lessons, drilling students, and maintaining discipline. This hierarchical structure was efficient in delivering instruction, though it has been criticized for its rote learning aspects and potential for superficial understanding. While largely superseded by modern pedagogical approaches, the monitorial system was a significant development in the history of mass education, demonstrating an early attempt at large-scale, cost-effective schooling.