Miss Miranda Nell

=Service as Fanaglia's Chief Education Advisor=

Before the Great Coup, education was strictly for boys from wealthy families. In February of 1875, shortly after seizing power from her father, Queen Autumn appointed Miss Miranda Nell as her Chief Education Adviser. Nell was a young, radical schoolteacher whose innovative pedagogical ideas Autumn saw made her the perfect candidate for the reforms she felt the Fanaglian education system desperately needed.

Her first act, with the help of the queen, was to establish "Common Schools," free public education for everyone, boys and girls ages 5-12. Schools were originally mandated to educate boys and girls separately, though it became clear early on that in some poorer or sparsely populated areas that this was simply not economically feasible; co-education was legalized in May of 1876, though single-sex education is greatly preferred wherever possible.

In March of 1876, Queen Autumn made education compulsory until the age of 12, though this was later raised to 19. In 1881, Kindergartens were made compulsory as well, though these remained privately-owned (if a students' family is unable to pay the modest tuition, the schools are compensated by the Crown).

Nell worked for more and better-equipped school houses, longer school years (late August -- mid April), higher pay for teachers, and a wider curriculum. In April of 1882, Nell published her article, "On Fanaglian Educational Disparity," which discussed the need for a more standard curriculum. Six weeks later, it became law.

On 28 August, 1882, she opened the Kraftenburg Normal School, the first Fanaglian college for teacher education. Realizing the need for more well-educated teachers, she made the decision for the school to be free of tuition for any student who passes the Abitur (the final exit exam for secondary schools), provided that the student signs a contract to contribute at least 1/3 of his or her salary back to the school for the next four years. Unfortunately, those who drop out of the program must pay upon exiting the program.

Fanaglian schoolchildren are educated in kindergarten at age 4-5, in primary schools from 5-12, and in secondary schools from 12-19. Students who are not able to graduate at 19 (grade 13) may choose to either drop out or continue their education for free until they are able to pass the Abitur. Those who fail the Abitur may retake it as many times as they need to; the first two times are free and all subsequent tests cost a nominal fee.