But the 1872 Education Act for Scotland was to create the greatest change for, from that date, education became compulsory for all children between 5 and 13 years of age. The government took over from the Kirk by providing the buildings and paying the teachers but the parents, except those in extreme poverty, had still to pay school fees of between 2d. All were taught the 3'Rs. 6d per scholar per year. Local School Boards were elected to manage the schools in each parish.
School provide an insight into the changes which took place.
Adam Rankine of Lochgelly's Iron Co. School was appointed schoolmater of Auchterderran Parish School in 1870 and he presided over the changes after the 1872 Act came into force. So unsatisfactory was the state of the building by 1900 that a deduction was made to their government grant as no attempt had been made to remedy last year's defects. The School Board then decided to provide temporary accommodation for the Auchterderran Infant Department by the construction of an iron building in Bowhill thus releasing the whole of the old school for the Seniors. That was known to us as Auchterderran Higher Grade School.