History & Civics
What were the main objectives of British education in India? Mention the steps recommended to implement the policy.
Answer
The main objectives of British education in India, as outlined in the Wood's Despatch, were:
- Teach Western education: Spread European knowledge in arts, science, and literature, with English as the medium of higher education.
- Promote vernacular languages: Use vernacular languages to spread European knowledge to the masses.
- Focus on vocational and technical education: Establish technical schools and colleges for vocational training.
Steps recommended to implement the policy:
- School system: Establish vernacular primary schools in villages, followed by Anglo-Vernacular high schools and colleges at the district level.
- Grants-in-aid: Encourage private institutions with grants-in-aid, ensuring they meet teaching standards and employ qualified teachers.
- Public Instruction Department: Create a Department in each province to monitor education and submit annual reports.
- Universities: Establish universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, modeled after London University, to conduct exams and confer degrees.
- Teachers' training: Set up teachers' training institutions to improve the quality of education.
- Women's education: Provide support for women’s education.
These measures led to the establishment of three universities in 1857, marking a key development in India's education system.