With reference to Lord Macaulay’s famous ‘education minute', consider the following statements:
1. It settled the orientalist-anglicist debate on education in favor of the anglicists.
2. Lord Charles Metcalfe became the first Governor General to pass the resolution implementing Macaulay’s ‘education minute.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both 1 and 2
Incorrect AnswerNeither 1 nor 2
Incorrect AnswerExplanation:
Lord Macaulay the chairman of the General Committee of Public Instruction announced his famous ‘education minute on 2 February 1835. This decision followed the Orientalist-Anglicist Controversy over the education system in India.
The Anglicists argued that government spending on education should be exclusively for modern studies. The Orientalists said while Western sciences and literature should be taught to prepare students to take up jobs, emphasis should be placed on the expansion of traditional Indian learning
Lord Macaulay’s ‘education minute advocated the Anglicist point of view. Thus, the limited government resources were to be devoted to the teaching of Western sciences and literature through the medium of the English language alone. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Lord William Bentinck (1828-1835) became the first Governor General to pass the resolution implementing Macaulay’s famous ‘education minute. In response to Macaulay’s ‘education minute, the then Governor General Lord William Bentinck passed the resolution on Education on 7 March 1835. The resolution declared that henceforth, government funds would be utilized for the promotion of western literature and science through the medium of English language.
Lord Metcalfe (1835-1836) succeeded Lord William Bentick. He passed a new press law removing restrictions on the press in India. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
By: Parvesh Mehta ProfileResourcesReport error