Development of Education System in India during British

Period
Posted in Modern History of India by Deepak Chaturvedi On March 19, 2014. No comments
Education policy of the British: In pre-British days Hindus and Muslims were educated through Pathsala and
Madrassa respectively. Britishers showed no interest in advancement of learning in the first stage of their rule
in India. Some of the Britishers in personal endeavor and for political gain showed some interest in spreading
education. Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal showed keen interest in spreading oriental education
in which effort Jonathan Duncan, Nathani Halhead, Sir William Jones, joined hands. Sir William Jones, the
Justice Calcutta High Court, established Asiatic Society at Calcutta (1784 A.D.). Here they started research on
oriental education and culture. At the time of Lord Wellesley Fort William College was established (1800
A.D.). Here the British Civilians were taught Indian languages, laws, customs, religion, geography etc. By
endeavor of Wilkins Jones, Colebrook, William Carey this oriental education got a foothold.
Endeavour of the Christian Missionaries: British colonial ruler did not show any interest in education. The
Christian Missionaries were the first to come forward. The Baptist Missionary William Carey came to India in
the year 1793 A.D. He along with his friends established Baptist Mission in Serampore (1800 A.D.). By their
enthusiasm many primary schools came up in nearly places.
They established a printing press and stilled printing booklets in Bengali. Carry translated the Ramayana in
English (1800 A.D.) By his inspiration the Bible was translated in different Indian languages and Halheads
Bengali Grammars new edition was published. By their zeal an English school was established in Serampore
in 1818 A.D. That is now known as Serampore College.
Personal Endeavour: At that time by the attempt of few liberal Indians and foreigners non-government
schools were founded to spread English education. Out of them most memorable were Raja Rammohan Roy,
Raja Radhakanta Deb, Tejchandra Rai Bahadur of Burdwan, David Hare, the watchmaker of Scotland. Raja
Rammohan Roy was the father of modern India. By his own endeavor he established Anglo Hindu School in
1815 A.D. By personal endeavor two English schools were founded in Chinsurah (1800 A.D.) and
Bhawanipur (1848 A.D). Few energetic Indians and high-minded English civilians came forward to establish
Hindu College in Calcutta in the year 1817 A.D. This is now the famous Presidency College.
Endeavour of the government: In the Charter Act of 1813, Rupees one lakhs per year was sanctioned for
advancement of education in India. Now there was a debate about the line of expenditure of this amount.
Some said that it should go for oriental education; the others said that the sum was to be spent for English
education. Raja Rammohan Roy was in favour of spending the money in western education. But that was not
done. The General Committee of Public Instruction (1823 A.D.) decided to spend the money on oriental
studies. In 1823 A.D. the decision was taken to establish a Sanskrit College at Calcutta. Rammohan opposed
this decision.
During the rule of Lord William Bentinck (1828-1835 A.D.) there was change in governments education
policy. He appointed Thomas Babington Macaulay, a renowned educationist, the chairman of the Committee
of Public Instruction. At that time the committee was divided in the issue of Oriental or European education.
Princep, Colebrook, Wilson were the supporters of Oriental education. They were known as Orientalist. But
people like T.B. Macaulay were the supporters of European education. He had with him Alexander Duff,
Sanders, Colvin etc. at his side. They became known as Anglicists. Macaulay presented a proposal of
advancement of English education in 1835 A.D. This was known as Macaulay minutes.
1. He expressed his strong opinion in favour of English education, as he thought that oriental culture was
defective, unholy and corrupted.
2. He thought that it would be better to give proper teaching to a small number of upper and middle-class
students as a law of infiltration it would reach to more number of people. This law was known as
infiltration theory.
3. He opined that a shelf of Europeans library was equal to the whole literature of India and Arab.
Practically, this opinion was the result of his complete ignorance and blind nationalism.
4. He wanted to create a good number of black Europeans who would support the British government. The
government approved the Macaulay proposal and after that by the government the education English
language and science started spreading very quickly. It was in the same year (1835 A.D.) Calcutta Medical
College and Elphinstone College at Bombay were established. During the time of Lord Auckland (1836-
1842 A.D.) government sanctioned more money for propagating Anglicized education.
In 1842, the Public Instruction Committee was rejected and Council of Education was formed. Few Indian
members were taken in this Council. Charles Woods recommendation in the question of spreading of higher
education was very important. He was the Chairman of the Board of Control. His proposal about education
was known as Woods despatch. He gave instruction to regularize the education system from primary stage to
University level. He also instructed to educate pupils in both English and Vernacular. By his recommendation
Education Department was established. In 1857 A.D. Calcutta, Bombay and Madras Universities were
established.



SECONDARY EDUCATION COMMISSION(1952-53)

Introduction
*The secondary education appointed by the government of India in term of their Resolution number F 9-5/52 B-
1 dated 23 September 1952
*The commission appointed by the government of India .
*Dr A. Lakshmanswami Mudaliar (vice-chancellor madras university chairman).
AIMS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION COMMISSION
*Development of democratic citizenship
*Development of personality
*Education for leadership.
*Improvement of vocational capability and efficiency
*Concept of world citizenship
EXAMINATIONAL REFORM
*Balance mixture of essay type, short answer type and objective type question
*Thought provoking question
*There should be no optional questions
*Question should be made to cover the maximum course
*In place of one paper of three hour duration in a particular subject their should be two paper each of three hour
*Class work be given some consideration
*External exams may be supplemented by vivavoce
*Marking norms should be carefully determined and prescribed
*Difficult, as well as easy question should place in question paper
*There should be no compulsory public examination
*The number of external exam should be reduce
*Cumulative records in respect of every child should be introduced and and maintained
*Symbol / Grades in place of numerical marking should be introduced
*Student may be allow to appear in two or three subject and complete
the examinant in two consecutive year or so