Saddler University Commission (1917-19): Objectives, Recommendations, And Its Impact

Saddler University Commission

In honor of its chairman, Michael Sadler, the Calcutta University Commission, sometimes referred to as the Sadler Commission, was founded in 1917. The aim is to look at the present and future of Calcutta University as well as focus on the issue of effective policy in relation to the issue at hand. After analyzing the key problems with higher education in Bengal, the committee provided multiple measures. It included every facet of education, from early childhood to higher learning. It maintained that improving secondary education was a necessary condition for improving higher education.

Background Of Saddler University Commission

• In 1917, the Indian government created a commission to look into and compile information on the problems at Calcutta University.
• Dr. Michael E. Sadler, vice chancellor of the University of Leeds, was selected to lead the panel.
• Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad and Sir Ashutosh Mukeiji were among the commissioners from India.
• The Sadler Commission examined the whole area of education from school education to university education, in contrast to the Hunter Commission’s report on secondary education issues and the University Commission’s 1902 report that focused mostly on the many facets of university education.
• According to the Commission, a successful synthesis between colleges and universities had yet to be achieved after the reform of 1904 had been completed but the groundwork for a solid university structure had not been laid.
• It also said that there were still issues with high school organization and training.
• While Calcutta University was the focus of the Commission’s findings, other Indian institutions might perhaps benefit from its recommendations and observations.

Objective Of Saddler University Commission: Calcutta University’s Future Focus

• The Sadler Commission 1917–19 was set up to investigate the present and future state of Calcutta University.
• Relieving universities from the burden of overseeing secondary education so that they may focus only on higher education. 

Recommendations Of Saddler University Commission: Saddler Commission’s Bold Moves

Some of the major recommendations of the commissions are as follows:

• Calcutta University should be organized to become a fully teaching university. 
• A separate residential and teaching university should be established in Bangladesh’s capital.
• More universities should open and older ones should be considered residential and teaching universities. 
• Universities should be free from excessive official controls and government interference in educational matters.
• Academic councils should be established to influence educational problems and queries. The Syndicate and Senate should be replaced by the court and council for better administration. 
• A full-time salaried vice-chancellor should be appointed as the executive head. 
• Teaching and teaching work should be organized across various departments, and boards of studies, facilities, and statutory bodies should be formed. 
• Honors courses should be introduced, and tutorial analysis work should be organized.
• Provision should be made for instruction in engineering, agriculture, law, medicine, and technology. An inter-university should be started to coordinate efforts.

Transformative Impact: Saddler University Commission Educational Reforms

The Sadler Commission has multifaceted impacts on Indian education, some of the prominent ones are as follows:

• From 1916 to 1921, seven new universities were established, including Mysore, Patna, Benaras, Aligarh, Dacca, Lucknow, and Osmani. The Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras universities provided affiliation, examinations, and degrees. 
• However, the number of teaching and residential universities has increased. Further, the introduction of Honours courses has increased academic activities and higher education and research facilities have been built. 
• The position of professor has been created in universities, and education departments have been established at Calcutta and Dacca universities.
• The internal university administration has improved, with the Academic Council overseeing curriculum development, examination, and research.
• A full-time salaried vice-chancellor must be appointed as the administrative head. 

Conclusion

Over the following few decades, the Sadler Commission’s recommendations had a big effect on how education developed.  The commission’s proposals, nevertheless, have drawn criticism for being too innovative for the period, and many of the novel concepts put out were inappropriate given the conditions at the time.

Saddler University Commission (1917-19) FAQs

Q1. What was the composition of the Saddler University Commission?

Ans. The members of the commission are Dr. Sadler chairman, Sir Ashutosh Mukeiji, and Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad.

Q2. What was the objective of the Saddler University Commission?

Ans. The Sadler Commission 1917-19 investigated Calcutta University’s current and future state, and allowed universities to focus on higher education.

Q3. What was the impact of the Saddler University Commission?

Ans. From 1916-1921, seven new universities were established, with increased teaching and residential facilities, Honours courses were started, and administration improved with the establishment of the Academic Council.

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