II. other schools in the district. A report of the progress of this institution during Madras. the past year is forwarded to you in a separate communication, in which I propose Nursapoor central that the present head master be entertained on the Government establishment school for boys and with a fixed salary. In no other way do I consider that Government aid could girls. be so judiciously bestowed. The importance of having an efficient man at the head of an establishment of this kind cannot be overstated. It was always my desire to make this the parent institution, from which to supply English and Telugu teachers to the minor schools in the district. With this object, I have procured a master from England, Mr. Samuel Ager, a young man highly recommended to me by several clergymen. He kept terms at the Dublin University, and was employed as master in the diocesan school of Aylsham, Norwich. He will have joined the school, I trust, before the end of the month. Besides the charge of the 60 lads attending the ordinary classes of the school, it was my intention to give him the superintendence both of the Telugu normal class of village teachers, which is located in a portion of the school building, and of the class studying practical geometry and land surveying, which includes many curnums and volunteers from whom a small fee would be demanded. Both classes would greatly benefit by the supervision of a competent European teacher, who, as Mr. Ager promises to do, will thoroughly qualify himself in Telugu. It will also be the head master's care to institute a normal class of teachers in English, and to hold periodical examinations of all the English teachers employed in the schools of the division. This could be done by the teachers meeting on stated days at the central school for examination, and by the head master availing himself of an occasional native holiday to visit them at their own station. By this arrangement a healthy action would be imparted to all the institutions, and emulation would be kept alive among the teachers, whose increased exertion would tell most beneficially upon the advancement of their pupils. The numerous Telugu schools in and about Nursapoor, and the most important of them all, the girls' school which has now existed for three years, will, in the absence of a lady, greatly benefit by the head master's supervision. I trust, therefore, that my recommendation respecting Mr. Ager will be adopted. 39. In conclusion, I cannot conceal from myself that the present is a critical Conclusion. period in the existence of the village schools. Except perhaps at Nursapoor and a few other large towns, education on an improved plan has not been long enough established to have taken firm hold of the public mind. A want of sympathy, or the least show of indifference, on the part of the controlling European officers in the district, might be fatal to its progress. My immediate connexion with the district is for the present interrupted, but my anxiety for the improvement of the people will never cease. The personal supervision of the schools will now fall into other hands, but I have the pleasure to know that my successor will watch over them with the same interest as myself, and I ought not therefore to doubt that they will continue to prosper as they have hitherto done. Madras, 4 February 1856. I have, &c. (signed) G. N. Taylor, Sub-Collector. RULES established by the Sub-Collector for the Management and Supervision of VILLAGE SCHOOLS. 1. HOURS of attendance-three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening; generally 6 to 9 a.m., and from 3 to 6 p.m. 2. The village master will be chosen by the villagers, and will adopt the course of instruction pointed out to him; and if he is incapable, another more competent will be put in his place. II. Madras. 3. Elementary books will be supplied gratis, but are to be paid for if carelessly or wilfully destroyed. On certain conditions boys will be allowed, at the discretion of the master, to take them to their houses so long as they continue to attend the school. 4. The children of all classes without distinction who contribute to the fund assessed upon the land, are entitled to free entrance, including the sons of all relations and dependants of actual ryots, and likewise the sons of the village servants who belong to the community, and who are required to give their services for school purposes. Enamdars, comaties and others, not belonging to the agricultural class, will pay a monthly fee of 2 annas to the village teachers. 5. The sons of the village teachers will have free admission into the school in which their father is employed. 6. Whenever the contribution of the village community exceeds 60 rupees annually, or 5 rupees a month, the surplus funds will be applied towards the building of a suitable school-house, and to meet the expense of books, materials, &c., required in the school. 7. Boys will be admitted on the 15th of the mouth, and the fee must be paid in advance before the 18th of every month, failing which, the lad will be suspended until the matter has been reported to the Inspector, and his decision received. An account of all payments to the master will be kept for the inspection of the visitor. 8. Two registers to be kept by the village master in the form furnished; one the admission book, and the other the roll book of daily attendance. In the column of remarks it will be stated whether a fee is paid or not. 9. An abstract of the results of every week is to be kept for the inspection of the Samut visitor, to whom it should be forwarded on the Thursday following provided the school has not been visited before that day. 10. The village masters are under the supervision and control of the visiting Samut teacher, or the tahsil schoolmaster, as the case may be, through whom all their applications and communications to the Inspector or to the Sub-Collector are to be made. 11. No leave will be granted to the masters, except on urgent occasions, without a reference to the Inspector, and in every case the Samut teacher will be responsible for the result, and will report what arrangements he has made for carrying on the school during the temporary absence of the master. 12. Besides the allowance of 5 rupees a month, insured to the village masters, and the additional fees which may be paid to them, those who are most conspicuous for good conduct and assiduity will be promoted on the occurrence of vacancies to Government visiting teacher; those, on the contrary, who are inattentive, negligent, or guilty of misconduct, will be dismissed, and in the last case never re-employed. 13. The village schoolmaster will have charge of the books, &c., supplied, and will be responsible for their safe custody; will render a weekly account to the visiting teacher, and will indent through him for whatever may be required for the use of the schools. TAHSIL AND SAMUT SCHOOLS. 1. HOURS of attendance: three hours in the morning, and three hours in the evening, generally from 6 to 9 a.m., and from 3 to 6 p.m. 2. The Samut teacher or tahsil schoolmaster will adopt the course of instruction pointed out to him by the Inspector. 3. A few books will be supplied gratis on the same conditions as to the village school, and others must be purchased by the boys. 4. Fees charged to all but agriculturists, from 2 to 4 annas. In Samut and tahsil schools 4 annas will be charged for those learning English. The village master, if employed in these schools, will get a portion of this amount, not exceeding 5 rupees. The sons of the Samut and tahsil masters are entitled to free admission into the school in which their father is employed. 5. Boys will be admitted on the 5th of the month, and the fee must be paid in advance before the 18th of every month, failing which the lad will be suspended until the matter is reported to the Inspector. An account of all fees received, and payments made to the village teacher, will be kept by the Samut and tahsil masters for submission to the Inspector. 6. Two registers to be kept by the tahsil schoolmaster or Samut teacher in the form furnished, one the admission book, and the other roll book of daily attendance. In the column of remarks it will be stated whether a fee is paid or not. 7. A report 7. A report once a fortnight to be sent by Samut and tahsil schoolmasters to the Inspector, who will furnish a monthly abstract to the Sub-Collector. The Inspector will also send quarterly and half yearly reports to the Sub-Collector, the latter of which will be submitted with the annual report to Government. 8. The schoolmasters will communicate on all subjects through the Inspector. 9. No leave will be granted to the masters except on urgent occasions, without a reference to the Sub-Collector, and in every case the Inspector will be responsible for the result, and will report what arrangements he has made for carrying on the school during the temporary absence of the master. 10. Such of the Samut masters as are most conspicuous for good conduct and assiduity will be promoted on the occurrence of vacancies to tahsil schoolmasters, and the latter, when qualified by unusual ability and industry, besides being fit for promotion in his own department, will be eligible for Government employ in any other line. 11. The tahsil schoolmasters or Samut teachers will have charge of the books, &c., supplied, and will be responsible for their safe custody; will render a weekly account to the Inspector, and will indent through him for whatever may be required for the use of the school. 12. They will be responsible for the efficiency of the schools within their range, and will exercise proper control over the masters under them, whether in their own cusbah or in other schools under their supervision. Madras. GENERAL RULES. 1. LADS who absent themselves from school without leave will be liable to such punishment as each particular case may seem to require. The village schoolmaster may chastise the boys in moderation, but is restricted to two strokes on each hand with a rattan, and the punishment should never be inflicted in a moment of anger. An unfavourable report on this subject from the visiting teacher will subject the village master to removal. 2. The Samut and tahsil masters are expected to exercise a sound discretion in the punishment of the boys attending their schools. It is hoped that they will not have occasion to resort to corporal chastisement except in very rare cases, and their management in this respect will be specially noticed by the Inspector. 3. As the position of the master of every grade, and his eventual promotion, depend entirely upon the state of the school, he must be careful not to misuse his power over the boys, and will inflict no punishment but such as may be necessary to maintain proper discipline. He will treat all classes alike, paying equal attention to the children of ryots and to those of the richer inhabitants who pay the fee of 2 to 4 annas. His competency as a schoolmaster will be judged by the number of the former class who attend his school, which should bear a proper proportion to the population. Note. It is expected that every native officer in the service of Government will give his best assistance to the Sub-Collector in the present undertaking; that he will demonstrate by his own demeanour towards all officers in the Educational Department, that the position occupied by the latter is of the greatest importance to the welfare of the community, and deserving of the respect of all classes; and that he will also endeavour, both by precept and example, to lead the mass of the people to take advantage of the means of instruction now put within their reach. Rajahmundry District, Podoor, April 1855. G. N. Taylor, Sub-Collector. Appendix (A.) ACCOUNT CURRENT of the Sums sanctioned by Government on account of Schools, &c., to the end of November 1855. STATEMENT of Subscriptions, and Probable Annual Expenditure for Village Vernacular Schools which had been Established in the Subdivision of Rajahmundry District, up to the end of November 1855. Remarks. From the 274 rupees, entered below columns 7 and 8, have to be deducted 234 rupees, transferred to account current for contingencies, leaving a balance of 40 rupees to meet the cost of 3,000 Telugu books supplied from the press, amounting, at 8 pice each, to 125 rupees. |