[5] The act established that education would be free, compulsory, and secular for Pākehā children aged five to thirteen.

[7] In 1882, the Minister of Education stated: "A perceptible increase in the numbers of Maori and half-caste children attending the public schools, especially the latter, is recorded.

[7] Especially in rural areas, children often helped with tasks at home rather than attend school.

[8] Ongoing truancy problems led to the introduction of the School Attendance Act in 1894.

At the top, the Department of Education established the curriculum and provided funding to twelve education boards (Auckland, Taranaki, Wanganui, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, North and South Canterbury, Westland, Otago and Southland).