under the education (scotland) act 1872 approximately 1,000 regional school boards were established and, unlike in england where they merely attempted to fill gaps in provision, immediately took over the schools of the old and new kirks and were able to begin to enforce attendance, rather than after the decade necessary in england. some ragged and industrial schools requested to be taken over by the boards, while others continued as sunday schools. all children aged from 5 to 13 years were to attend. poverty was not accepted as an excuse and some help was supplied under the poor law. this was enforced by the school attendance committee, while the boards busied themselves with building to fill the gaps in provision. this resulted in a major programme that created large numbers of grand, purpose-built schools. overall administration was in the hands of the scotch (later scottish) education department in london. demand for places was high and for a generation after the act there was overcrowding in many classrooms, with up to 70 children being taught in one room. the emphasis on a set number of passes at exams also led to much learning by rote and the system of inspection led to even the weakest children being drilled with certain facts.