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EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George,

dated 6 October (No. 5) 1858.

II. Madras.

aid to be afforded

Para. 25. It was first intended to leave it to the inhabitants to provide the (Letter dated requisite accommodation for the talook schools to be established throughout 25 August (No. 17) your Presidency. Mr. Arbuthnot, however, after a short experience, was led 57.) Correspondto believe that the contributions to be expected from local sources would be ence respecting the insufficient to defray the cost of buildings, even of the most inexpensive by Government in description; and he recommended that a grant should be made for the con- the erection and struction of such school-houses, equal in amount to the sum subscribed. In repair of school buildings. accordance with this recommendation, you sanctioned various grants which bore, except in one case, the proportion to the contributions suggested by the Director of Public Instruction.

26. In your subsequent correspondence with the Government of India, you stated the opinion that with reference to the varying circumstances of different localities, it was not desirable to lay down any fixed rule as to the proportion to be contributed towards the erection of talook school buildings respectively, by Government and by private persons. In the case of these schools, however, and of two other classes of Government schools, provincial schools or colleges, and zillah schools, you proposed to place a limit on the amount to be expended by Government; the grant by Government, subject to such established maximum, and the sum to be raised by subscription being left to be decided in each case, as it may arise. In the case of grants in aid of the building of schools, maintained by private individuals or societies, the rule limiting the amount of the grant to the sum contributed from private sources is stated to be strictly observed.

27. The establishment of schools by Government, which, as a general rule, provide for instruction of a higher order than is attainable at other institutions within a reasonable distance, ought not to depend absolutely on the willingness of the community to contribute to the erection of school buildings. Such a condition has not hitherto been required in the other Presidencies. On the other hand, in pursuance of the principle of calling forth as far as possible the sympathies of the community in behalf of the educational efforts of Government, and of fostering a spirit of self-reliance, it is desirable to encourage contributions strictly and entirely voluntary in support of all those measures which have in view the intellectual improvement of the people. The system of "inviting" local contributions should be avoided, as invitations by the Government officers are usually considered as demands which must be obeyed; but there can be no objection to your intention to receive local contributions when voluntarily offered for school buildings, of whatever kind; and the general principle proposed by Mr. Arbuthnot is a sound one, that in "determining on the appropriation of the funds available for the erection of school-houses for the superior schools, consideration will be given to the particular sums proposed as the limit of Government expenditure on the buildings for the various classes of schools, the Government of India will no doubt give the requisite instruction; but any limit which may now be fixed will necessarily be liable to alteration, when the system shall have been some time in operation.

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6 October (No. 5) 1858.

(Letter dated 25th August (No. 17) 1857, paras. 59 to 68.) It was represented that, by the terms under which a grant Para. 29. THERE is no doubt that under in the vernacular schools in Tinnevelly, belonging to the was made for the purchase of books and maps for the scholars a strict interpretation of the grant-in-aid Church Missionary Society, the society would be precluded rules, the view of Mr. Arbuthnot was the from availing themselves of the grant for some time to come, inasmuch as they had recently laid in a large stock of books correct one. Care should be taken to main- and maps for issue to the scholars. The Director of Public tain as far as possible the principle to which Instruction thought that the defrayment by Government of attention was called by that gentleman, that by the society, would be opposed to the principle of the grantany portion of the cost of books and maps, already purchased public support shall not in any case be sub- in-aid rules; but Government, not concurring in this opinion, stituted for, or supersede private efforts.

authorised the contribution of one-half of the cost of such books as, having already been purchased by the society, may hereafter be issued for the purposes of schools for the benefit of which this grant was originally sanctioned.

II.

Madras.

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6 October (No. 5) 1858.

(Letter dated 28th October (No. 23) 1857, paras. 13 Para. 37. THE proceedings here reported are to 16.) In furtherance of the steps taken by the Board entirely approved. The instruction which, in their of Revenue, in view to the amelioration of the state of the "Zanadias" (the wild tribe, residing in the Stree- low and uncivilised condition, the children of the harricottah Mootah, in the Chingleput District), the Zanadies are capable of receiving, must obviously establishment of a school for the tribe has been sanctioned, be of the most elementary description, but it is to at a cost of 10 rupees per mensem for a schoolmaster,

and of 100 rupees for the completion of a school-house, be hoped that they may be found willing to attend already partly erected by private funds. A small allow the school, and that, with the aid of the other ance of grain has likewise been allowed for the maintenance of the pupils. measures which have been sanctioned, these people may generally be weaned from their present habits, and brought into intercourse with their more civilised neighbours.

(Letter dated 28th

1857, paras. 18 to

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6 October (No. 5) 1858.

Para. 39. THESE schools appeared from the reports of the inspectors to be in October (No. 23), a most inefficient state. The instruction was gratuitous, and all the pupils 25.) Correspond- were indiscriminately supplied annually with a certain quantity of clothing; ence relating to the the masters were old pensioners, and the mistresses were their wives; various schools for the chil- plans were suggested for the improvement or removal of the school at Tripassore, troops and pension- but your opinion seems to be correct that the best plan was to remedy the ers at Poonawallee, existing defects, retaining the school at Tripassore. The alterations proposed of the pensioners at in the concluding paragraph of Mr. Taylor's letter of the 25th August 1856, Tripassore, and pro- seem calculated to meet the circumstances of the case.

and for the children

posed measures for

the improvement of the schools.

40. With regard to the school at Poonamallee, which is stated in the communication from the Commander in Chief to be a "regimental school," and, as such, to have been examined by mistake, it is hoped that measures have been taken to remedy the defects which were found to be as great as in the school at Tripassore. It does not appear that any system of inspection of regimental schools has yet been established. The Commander in Chief would no doubt gladly avail himself of the assistance of the chief officers of the Department of Education for the purpose of securing the efficiency of these schools, by means of periodical inspection; and it would seem advisable that you enter into communication with his Excellency on the subject.

41. The statement that the European community at Tripassore is "sunk in vice and wretchedness," and that it has been in this condition for a long series of years, has been read with great regret ; under present arrangement, Tripassore receives periodical visits from the chaplain at Poonamallee; and it may be hoped that when the school shall have been placed on an improved footing, the tone of feeling will be gradually improved, at least among the rising generation. It is believed, however, that the climate of Tripassore is unfavourable to the health of European children, and although the enforced removal of the pensioners to other stations is a measure which cannot be entertained, it is worthy of consideration by the military authorities, whether steps should not be taken to induce persons hereafter admitted to the pension establishment to settle in places better suited to the European constitution.

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6 October (No. 5) 1858.

Para. 42. THE examination on this occasion was conducted, so far as the (Letter dated 28th October (No. 23), senior department of the college was concerned, by gentlemen unconnected 1857, paras. 26 to with the institution; the reports of the mathematical examination were highly 31.) Reports on the result of the exami- favourable; those of the vernacular examination were also satisfactory as far as nation of the general they went, but the examiners in English literature were disappointed with the sidency College, in performances of the students in those departments, and a very unfavourable December 1856. opinion was pronounced on the attainments of the pupils in moral philosophy, political economy, and logic. You refrained from entering into the question

branch of the Pre

of

of the progress of the students, regarding which the reports of some of the examiners had been called in question by the professors, to whose departments the depreciatory remarks of those gentlemen had reference, and you did no more than record some observations on the support which should be accorded to gentlemen who undertake the duty of examiners, the tenor of which is entirely concurred in.

43. It appears that Mr. Arbuthnot has the whole subject under his consideration, and is about to submit proposals embodying the alterations which he may think desirable for removing the defects which have been brought to light, as well as for bringing the college system into harmony with that of the university. It is only necessary, therefore, now to remark, that the reports of the examiners, though exhibiting defects in some branches of the college, do not tend to throw any doubt on its general efficiency, either as regards teaching or management, and is undoubtedly right to allow weight to the opinion of Mr. Arbuthnot, that some of the papers set by the examiners were of considerable difficulty and undue length, and that the answers of the pupils were severely judged.

II. Madras.

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6th October (No. 5) 1858.

Para. 49. It appears from your letter in the Military Department, dated 24th December (No. 66) 1857 (paras. 1 and 2), that you have sanctioned the establishment of a primary medical school in dependence on the Vessery Dispensary, for the purpose of training pupils for admission to the Medical College, and thus supplying the want of qualified candidates for the medical service which has hitherto been experienced. This measure is approved, but the result is still awaited of the further consideration of the question raised by Dr. Kellie, as to the expediency of removing all restrictions on the classes from which the subordinate medical service may henceforth be recruited.

(Letter dated 28th
1857, paras. 33 and
October (No. 24)
34.) Proceedings
connected with the
question of obtain-
ing a constant sup-
ply of students at
the Medical College
to compete for the
appointments of

sub-assistant
surgeon.

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6th October (No. 5) 1858.

the

Para. 58. THE scheme for the grant of degrees in civil engineering in the (Letter dated 24th University of Madras differs from that adopted for the Calcutta University in December (No. 33) 1857, para. 9.) The the following respect while there is at Calcutta only one degree in civil scheme of examinaengineering, that of master, and candidates for that degree are required to have tion drawn up by the faculty of civil previously taken the degree of bachelor of arts, the condition just specified is engineering, and to be dispensed with at Madras, and the degree of bachelor of civil engineering the bye-laws for is to be substituted for it. The Faculty of Civil Engineering give at length their the Madras Univergovernment of reasons for this difference, which are grounded on the peculiar "social con- sity, passed by the stitution and requirements of this part of India," and on the necessity, in the senate, approved, opinion of the faculty, that the professional education of the candidates for warded. degrees in civil engineering should, in the Madras Presidency, commence at an earlier period than would be practicable were the candidates under the necessity of taking previously the degree of B. A.

59. The probability has always been contemplated that the general scope of the educational measures of Government throughout India being the same, variations in details would be required to suit the differing circumstances of the several Presidencies. The scheme, therefore, which you have sanctioned for the grant of degrees in civil engineering, is not objected to on the ground of its differing from that adopted at Calcutta, especially as it provides for an examination for the second degree, or that of master of civil engineering in the same subjects as those prescribed for that degree in the Calcutta University, and thus secures a general equality of qualifications in those who obtain the distinction at the two universities. It is to be remarked, however, that in stating their

and copies for

II.

Madras.

objections to the Calcutta scheme, the Faculty of Civil Engineering at your Presidency seem to have overlooked the fact that students in the Calcutta University intending to adopt that profession are to be allowed to pass the whole, or a portion of their time of study for their B. A. degree in one of the colleges of civil engineering, an arrangement which seems to provide that opportunity for the early commencement of their professional studies, which is assumed by the faculty to be wanting.

(Letter dated 24th December (No. 33) 1857, paras. 26 to 32.) Proceedings on an explanation lain of Vizagapagiven by the chaptam respecting the orphan schools at that station, to which a grant in aid had been re

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6th October (No. 5) 1858.

Para. 62. THE established rules precluded compliance with the application for a grant for these schools; it is, however, very desirable that the descendants of European veterans and pensioners should be provided with the means of education, and thus saved, if possible, from the state of degradation and wretchedness into which they would almost inevitably fall if suffered to grow up without instruction in the midst of a native population. I recommend this subject to your consideration, and I am of opinion that, if there is no general institution within your Presidency into which the children of European descent at Vizagapatam can be received, arrangements should be made which will fused on account of provide for their proper charge and education at that station.

their inefficient state.

(Letter dated 24th

1857, paras. 36 to 47.) Scheme for the improvement and establishment

of village schools throughout the

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6th October (No. 5) 1858.

Para. 64. It is satisfactorily shown by the Director of Public Instruction that December (No. 33) there are points in the schemes of popular vernacular education which have been tried in the North Western Provinces in Bengal, and in a portion of the Rajahmundry District, in your Presidency, which render all those schemes unsuitable for your Presidency generally. The plan which, on Mr. Arbuthnot's recommendation, you have sanctioned, is that of constituting normal vernacular Madras Presidency. classes in connexion with the provincial and zillah schools, and holding out as inducements to village schoolmasters to improve themselves, the prospect of certificates of donations, and of small monthly allowances to those masters, who may attain a certain standard of acquirement, and whose pupils may be able to pass a certain specified examination. By the plan, as first proposed by Captain Macdonald (one of the Inspectors of Schools) the rewards to the masters would be given in books and not in money; but Mr. Arbuthnot doubts whether grants of that description would afford sufficient inducement, and he proposes to substitute money payments either in whole or in part, should it prove satisfactory to do so.

65. It is observed by Mr. Arbuthnot that this scheme "can only be looked on as a very incomplete, and perhaps temporary expedient for the improvement of elementary education." Mr. Arbuthnot considers that the only way of thoroughly effecting the object is by the imposition of an educational rate; but he thinks it questionable whether the time has come for the levy of a tax for the purpose, since "in many districts it must be preceded by a thorough revision of the assessment, and even in those districts where the assessment is light, it would be advisable to defer it until the adoption of other measures for the improvement of the existing teachers shall have practically convinced the people of the advantages of an improved system of education."

66. There can be no doubt of the correctness of the opinion of Mr. Arbuthnot, that the general opinion of your Presidency require to be much more familiarised with the advantages of education before they can be prepared for a system essentially different in its character from that to which they have been accustomed. The Home Authorities have often declared themselves favourable to the plan of improving and making the most of the existing machinery with

which the natives are familiar, in preference to adopting entirely new measures for promoting education. I entirely approve, therefore, the moderate and tentative course of proceeding which has been proposed by Mr. Arbuthnot. The principle being approved, the details will admit of such modifications and improvements as experience may suggest, and I rely on the practical good sense and knowledge of the subject displayed by Mr. Arbuthnot for accomplishing as much towards the extension of education among the general population of your Presidency as is for the present to be expected.

II.

Madras.

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6 October (No. 5) 1858.

Letter, dated 24 December (No. 33) 1857, paras. 49 to 51. A monthly

Para. 68. THE report of the Deputy Inspector on this school was generally favourable; but with reference to the bad effect allowance of 35 rupees per month, which had resulted from the want of a head master, it should be sanctioned for the Anglo-Vernacular understood that every effort must be made in schools receiving Canara Division, in continuation of School at Honore, in the Malabar and grants in aid, to maintain the establishments on their proper the grant previously made. footing. Failure in this respect might be in some degree guarded against by making the grants for fixed and specified objects, instead of for the general purposes of the schools.

EXTRACT Public (Educational) Despatch to the Government of Fort St. George, dated 6 October (No. 5) 1858.

1857, paras. 52 to 58. Proceedings arising out of a proposal by Mr. Kellie, President of the Medical College Council, for throwing open to certain non-professional classes the readings of those Professors of the College, who lecture on subjects not altogether pro

Letter, dated 24 December (No.33)

Para. 69. THE enlarged and liberal views on which the proposal of Mr. Kellie was founded are deserving of high appreciation, and the desire of that gentleman that the advantages and the popularity of the medical college should become more extended than has hitherto been the case, is cordially concurred in. Approval is accordingly given to the resolution to admit to the lectures in chemistry, in botany, and physiology, and in medical jurisprudence, to such extent as the available accommodation may allow certain classes, both students and others not attached to the medical college, to whom the knowledge of the several subjects may seem to be desirable.

fessional,

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