However, this first system was underappreciated by the public and underfunded. The School Act of 1833, revised in 1837, established a structured system for parish schools, but primary school teachers were often incompetent and student attendance was voluntary.
La School Act de 1833, révisée en 1837, instaure un régime structuré pour les écoles de paroisse, mais les instituteurs sont souvent incompétents, et la présence des élèves, facultative.