Wood's despatch
Sir Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control of the English East India Company, had an important effect on spreading education in India when in 1854 he sent a despatch to Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor-General of India.[1] Wood suggested that Primary Schools Must Adopt vernacular languages, High school must adopt Anglo Vernacular Language and on College Level English medium for education. This is known as Wood's despatch. Vocational and women's education were stressed upon.
Recommendations
He recommended there in that:
- An education department was to be set up in every province.
- Universities on the model of the London university be established in big cities such as Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.
- At least one government school be opened in every district.
- Affiliated private schools should be given grant in aid.
- The Indian natives should be given training in their mother tongue also.
- Provision was made for a systematic method of education from primary level to the university level.
- The government should always support education for women.
Legacy
In accordance with Wood's despatch, Education Departments were established in every province and the University of Calcutta, the University of Bombay and the University of Madras in 1857 as well as the University of the Punjab in 1882 and the University of Allahabad in 1887.For its great impact and influence on western education in India it was known as "Magna Carta". In which education for commerce was also added.