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realised that any acquaintance of European Introduction of Network of Graded
knowledge could be communicated to the Schools all over India
common people and that could be conveyed to The Wood’s Despatch of 1854 recommended the
them only through learning their own mother establishment of a network of graded schools all
tongue. Therefore the Despatch clearly stated over the country. At one end were the universi-
that Indian languages as well as English should ties and the colleges, then the high schools
be used as medium of instruction. followed by the middle schools and the bottom
Education of Women : The Wood’s Despatch of the network were the primary schools, both
of 1854 stressed on female education. The government and indigenous. Both the Anglo-
Wood’s Despatch stated, the importance of vernacular and vernacular schools were to be
female education in India cannot be over rated included in the same class. This system was
and we have observed with pleasure the evi- recommended in order to enable an individual to
dence which is now afforded of an increased receive higher education after completing the
desire on the part of many of the natives of India different levels of schools education.
to give a good education to their daughters. By Limitations of the Wood’s Despatch of
this means, a far greater proportional impulse is 1854
imparted to the educational and moral tone of
The Wood’s Despatch of 1854 was held respon-
the people than by the education of men. The sible for some glaring defects of the educational
Despatch also encouraged the private enterprises system of the country :
to promote women education. The schools for
g The British Government was vehemently
girls were to be included among those to which
criticised by the people of India for central-
grants-in-aid would be given.
ised system of education.
Training of Teachers : The Wood’s Despatch
g Indian languages and Indian culture contin-
of 1854 recommended the establishment of
ued to be backward and neglected.
teacher training schools in each of the provinces.
g The Despatch suggested the establishment
There should be training schools for teachers of
of only examining universities and could not
engineering, medicine and law. The qualified
think of a teaching university.
teachers should be given better pay scales. The
Despatch further emphasised on the provision of HUNTER COMMISSION REPORT OF
scholarships to the teachers during their training 1882
period. The Hunter Commission
Professional Education : The Wood’s of 1882 was appointed by
Despatch of 1854 encouraged professional the then Governor-
education. It recommended the establishment of General of India on 3
medical, engineering law and other institutes of February 1882. Presided
professional education. The Despatch stated that by Sir William Hunter, an
in order to develop vocational efficiency of Indian Civil Service officer
people and also to make people realise that the and a member of the
British rule was progressive. Another reason for Executive Council of the
the encouragement of vocational education was Viceroy. The following
to control the problem of unemployment. were the main objectives :
Sir William Hunter
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