z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 412
412 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
“Paragraph 13th. Further, it is admitted that education afforded in the
Vernacular School is far from efficient. A great Same subject. portion of the strictures of Mr. Willoughby’s Minute
is directed against the defective character and insignificant results of these
schools. The Board, not only acknowledge this fact, but they have been
studious to point it out prominently for many years past, and indeed, in the
opinion of some competent observers, have drawn too unfavourable a picture
of the vernacular schools. But what are the obvious remedies for the defects
indicated ? Mr. Willoughby describes them very correctly : ‘a superior class
of school masters, normal schools, more efficient supervision, additions to the
vernacular literature.’ These are all subjects, however, which have occupied
the attention of the Board for many years past, and as to which not a step
can be made in advance without additional expenditure. But we are given to
understand from the letter of your Lordship in Council that’ it is not probable
the Government will have the power, for a considerable time to come, to afford
the Board additional pecuniary assistance.’
“Paragraph 14th. It results most clearly from these facts, that if sufficient
funds are not available to put 175 vernacular schools Conclusion that into a due state of organisation, and to give a sound no means exist elementary education to 10,730 boys, all question for educating the as to educating ‘the masses’, the ‘hundred and forty masses. millions’, the 900,000 boys in the Bombay Presidency
disappears. The object is not one that can be attained or approximated to
by Government; and Educational Boards ought not to allow themselves to
be distracted from a more limited practical field of action by the visionary
speculations of uninformed benevolence.
“Paragraph 15th. The Hon. Court appear to have always kept the conclusion
which has been arrived at in the last paragraph very Views of Court distinctly in view. Perceiving that their educational of Directors as to efforts to improve the people could only be attempted the best method of operation with on a very small scale, they have deemed it necessary limited means. to point out to their different Governments the true
method of producing the greatest results with limited
means. We have already cited their injunctions to the Madras Government on
this head (Para 7) and their despatch to the Government on the same date
enforces sentiment of exactly the same import : ‘ It is our anxious desire to
afford to the higher classes of the Natives of India the means of instruction
in European sciences and of access to the literature of civilized Europe. The
character which may be given to the classes possessed of leisure and natural
influence ultimately determines that of the whole people.’
“Paragraph 16th. It being then demonstrated that only a small
section of the population can be brought under Inquiry as to the influence of Government education in upper classes of India, and the Hon’ble court having in effect India. decided that this section should consist of the
‘upper classes’, it is essential to ascertain who these latter