z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 423
EDUCATION OF DEPRESSED CLASSES 423
in their behalf to those it made in the interests of the Depressed classes. With respect to the Mahomedans the Commission made seventeen recommendations of which the following are worthy of note : —
(1) that the special encouragement of Mahomedan education be regarded as a ligitimate charge on local, on Municipal, and on Provincial funds.
(7) that higher English education for Mahomedans, being the kind of education in which that community needs special help, be liberally encouraged.
(8) that where necessary graduated system of special scholarships for Mahomedans be established to be awarded ( a ) in primary schools and tenable in middle schools ; ( b ) in middle schools, and tenable in high schools; ( c ) on the results of Matriculation and. First Arts examinations, and tenable in colleges also.
(9) that in all classes of schools maintained from public funds a certain proportion of free studentship be expressly reserved for Mahomedan students.
(10) that in places where educational endowments for the benefit of Mahomedans exist and are under the management of Government the funds arising from each endowment be devoted to the advancement of education among the Mahomedans exclusively.
(11) that where Mahomedans exist, and are under the management of private individuals or bodies, inducements by liberal grants-in-aid be offered to them to establish English teaching schools or colleges on the grant-in-aid system.
(12) that, where necessary, the Normal Schools or classes for the training of Mahomedan teachers be established.
(14) that Mahomedan inspecting officers be employed more largely than hitherto for the inspection of primary schools for Mahomedans.
(17) that the attention of Local Governments be invited to the question of the proportion in which patronage is distributed among educated Mahomedans and others.
- Everyone of these recommendations made by the Hunter Commission was necessary in the interests of the Depressed classes also. But when we come to analyse the recommendations made by the Commission in the interests of the Backward classes we do not find them directing that education of the Backward classes be regarded a legitimate change on Government funds, that scholarships and proceedings be reserved for them, that special inspecting staff be kept to look after their educational needs or that public patronage be given to them by way of encouraging the growth of education amongst them. All that we find the Commission saying is that (1) the principle that “no boy be refused admission to a Government College or School merely on the ground of caste,” be now reaffirmed as a principle and be applied with due caution to every institution, not reserved for special