A new Dawn in Education
(The great experiment)

With the change in Laws allowing Catholics more rights in Ireland, The Irish parliament started to make preparation to introduce an education system to the general population. 
The Commissioners for National Education (National Education Board) were established in 1831 for administering a fund of £30,000 placed at the disposal of the Lord Lieutenant for the education of the poor in Ireland. Their powers were based on a set of instructions drawn up by Chief Secretary Stanley and were not defined in any enactment. 

Granted a charter in 1845, the Commissioners were empowered to make grants to existing schools for the payment of teachers and the provision of equipment and to provide for the building of new schools, to appoint and pay inspectors and to establish a model school for the training of teachers.

Only one model school was first contemplated, a central model school in Dublin, which was established in 1833. From 1845 onwards, local model schools began to be established; managed by the local inspectors, their teachers were directly appointed by the Board. The Royal Commission on Education (1868-1870) found that the model schools were an unduly expensive method of training teachers and their use for this purpose ceased from about 1883 onwards, the schools continuing to function as ordinary schools.

Building of prison school took place around 1823 as suggested by letters from. Fr. Nolan seeking funding. Rev. Patrick Nolan with the support of Sir Francis Lynch Blosse helped to build and open schools in the, area of Balla and Manulla. In the letters it is mentioned that funding is needed for two schools in Balla one of which is in the half parish of Manulla.

I am building the school-house in Minola, on the plot Lord Kilmaine gave some years back for building a chapel, there can be no doubt therefore of its permanent use to the public. The dimensions I have already mentioned, 40 feet by 20; the estimate will be in proportion to the grant given. The trustees are John Bourke, Thomas Bourke, Francis Ivers, Patt Ivers, all living in the town of Minola, of course interested in the cause. I myself, the manager. I have already stated the local contribution, which I compute half-crown a house in money and work, among about 200 families.