How education can shape a new land and its people
In Building the North, J.
B. Macdougall surveys the challenges of educating a growing, diverse population in Ontario’s frontier days. The book traces how schools, communities, and government departments worked together to lift literacy, integrate immigrants, and strengthen democracy in a vast province.
It looks at the hard facts behind reform—from foreign-born language barriers to adult illiteracy—and describes practical steps that helped communities train citizens, support rural regions, and rebuild schools after disasters. The narrative links the past efforts to today’s ideas about education as a shared national mission.
- Explores how immigrant literacy and language education affect civic life.
- Describes solutions like evening classes and targeted programs for adults.
- Celebrates the role of leadership, local inspectors, and cross-department cooperation.
- Outlines a vision for rural schools, high schools, and enduring educational infrastructure.
Ideal for readers of Canadian history, education policy, and community development.