The government of Baron Félix de Blochausen (1874-1885) enacted a decisive reform of primary education when it introduced obligatory schooling over the opposition of conservative deputies. School absenteeism was particularly widespread in rural areas, where the children helped on the fields. The "loi Kirpach" of 10 April 1881 (named after Henri Kirpach, the Director-General for the Interior) made school attendance mandatory between the ages of 6 and 12.Thewes, Guy. "Le gouvernement de Blochausen", "Le gouvernement Werner/Cravatte", "Le gouvernement Werner-Schaus II", "Le gouvernement Werner-Thorn-Flesch", "Le gouvernement Juncker-Polfer", "Le gouvernement Juncker-Asselborn I". In: Ibid., Les gouvernements du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg depuis 1848 . Service Information et Presse, 2011. pp. 42-47, 52-63, 160-171, 172-181, 192-203, 232-241, 242-255 This reform provoked bitter debates over the role of the state in society and the relations between church and state. The law also provided for a single system of public schools, and made it the state's duty to organise education. At the same time, however, the church remained involved, since the local parish priest was an ex officio member of the local commune's school commission, and the schoolteacher was under his supervision.
