Hunter Commission (1882-83): Objective, Recommendations, and Significance

Hunter Commission: Revitalizing Education in Colonial India (1882)

The Viceroy Lord Ripon appointed the Hunter Education Commission, whose duties included looking into complaints about the Wood’s Despatch of 1854 not being implemented, assessing the state of elementary education in the British overseas territories, and making recommendations for its expansion and improvement. This commission’s final report was delivered in 1882 under the direction of Sir William Wilson Hunter.

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Objectives Of Hunter Education Commission: Evaluating and Reforming Indian Education (1882)

The following were the objectives Hunter Education Commission:

• To assess the state of Indian education at the moment, with a focus on elementary schools, and to make recommendations for reform.
• To evaluate the contribution of missionaries to education.
• To ask questions concerning the application of Wood’s Despatch of 1854 and the utilization of its grants-in-aid, and make suggestions for improvement.
• In addition to its primary goal of studying India’s primary education system, the Hunter committee decided to look into secondary and higher education there.
• To do a study on how people see governmental organizations and missionary organizations.

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Hunter Commission: Transformative Recommendations for Education (1882)

The suggestions made by the Hunter Commission mostly addressed elementary and secondary education which are as follows:

• Emphasized the need for the state to take extra attention to expanding and improving elementary education, and that primary education should be taught in the local language.
• It was recommended that newly established district and municipal bodies take over the management of basic education.
• Drew attention to the lack of facilities for female education, especially outside of presidential towns, and provided suggestions for their extension.
• For lower-level government positions, literate candidates were given precedence, and elementary schools in impoverished regions were expanded.
• The administration of elementary education was delegated to district and municipal boards under the Local Self-Government Act. 
• With government funding, private parties were supposed to start secondary schools. 
• Additionally, academic and practical courses were separated into several branches in the secondary school curriculum.
• The promotion of Indian enrollment in the private education system and opposed the use of missionary schools.
• Girls’ and women’s educational growth was meant to get special consideration.

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Hunter Commission: Catalyst for Educational Transformation in India

The Hunter Commission report is considered a turning moment in India’s educational history. 

• The British government took most of its recommendations into account, which caused the devolution of primary education.
• As a result, students in primary school spent a lot less time studying British topics.
• A portion of the load on Calcutta University was reduced after the establishment of Punjab University in 1882. 
• Between 1882 and 1901, there was a noticeable growth in the number of students attending elementary and intermediate schools.

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Conclusion

The Hunter Commission’s realistic proposals helped the area of education advance quickly. By including courses like agriculture, physics, etc. in basic school, an effort was made to make education both theoretical and practical. Special focus was placed on the education of lower castes, women’s education, Muslim education, etc. in the Hunter Commission’s recommendations. The Hunter Commission proposed giving Indians control over education, which would instill in them a fresh appreciation for it.

Hunter Commission (1882-83) FAQs

Q1. By whom the Hunter Commission on education was established?

Ans. Viceroy Lord Rippon

Q2. What was the objective of the Hunter Commission?

Ans.  Assessing Indian education, evaluating missionary contributions, Wood’s Despatch application, secondary and higher education, and understanding public perception of governmental and missionary organizations.

Q3. What was the significance of the Hunter Commission?

Ans. The British government devolved primary education, reducing British subjects, and established Punjab University in 1882.

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