Previous Year Question
Regarding Wood’s Dispatch, which of the following statements are true ?
Grants-in-Aid system was introduced.
Establishment of universities was recommended.
English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Wood’s Dispatch was issued in 1854. It was associated with Sir Charles Wood, President of the Board of Control, and was addressed to the Governor-General of India in Council. Owing to its comprehensive educational plan, it is often described as the “Magna Carta of English education in India.”
Statement 1 is correct:
Wood’s Dispatch recommended the implementation of a systematic Grants-in-Aid arrangement.
Eligible privately managed educational institutions were to receive financial assistance from the Government.
Such institutions had to possess adequate local management, provide secular education, accept government inspection and comply with prescribed conditions.
This arrangement encouraged the expansion of private and missionary educational institutions.
Statement 2 is correct:
It recommended universities at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras on the model of the University of London.
Consequently, the Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were established in 1857.
Initially, these were primarily affiliating and examining universities that conducted examinations and conferred degrees.
Statement 3 is incorrect:
Wood’s Dispatch did not recommend English as the medium of instruction at every level of education.
English was considered important for higher education, while vernacular or local languages were emphasised for primary education and the education of the masses.
Therefore, the expression “at all levels” makes the statement incorrect.
Other important recommendations included:
Establishment of a Department of Public Instruction in every province.
Arrangements for teacher training.
Promotion of female and vocational education.
Development of a graded system extending from primary schools to universities.