WOOD'S DESPATCH 1854

This presentation is very helpful for teachers and students. It consists of history, effects, objectives, importance and recommendations of Wood's Despatch 1854.

1. Wood’s Despatch 1854 Ufra Shahid M.A (Education), Final Year Aligarh Muslim University

2. Sir Charles Wood was a B ritish liberal politician and member of Parliament. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1846 to 1852. He declared this education policy on July 19, 1854. It therefore, termed as Wood Despatch. Later he became the President of Board of Control of the East India Company. In 1854, he sent the “Wood Despatch” to the Governor General Lord Dalhousie. How it started…

3. Wood’s Despatch is called Magna- Carta of English Education in India because it professed the promotion of western education in India. Education Departments were established in every province and universities on the model of the London University. Later more universities were opened in Punjab in 1882 and at Allahabad in 1887. Wood’s Despatch Effect

4. To impart western knowledge and information about the western culture to the Indians. To educate the natives of India so that a class of public servants could be created. To promote intellectual development and also raise the moral character of the young generation. To develop practical and vocational skills of the Indian peoples. Objectives

5. Creation of a Department of Public Instruction Expansion of Mass Education Establishment of Universities Grant-in-aid system Recommendations…

6. Teaching of Language Education of women Training of teachers Professional Education Introduction of network of Graded schools all over India Continue…

7. The despatch contained 100 paragraphs and deals with several questions of great educational value. It favored the use of English and Indian Language together. Opening Education department in various provinces Universities at three presidency. Establishment of a network of graded schools. Providing Grant-in-aid and opening training schools for teachers. Importance

8. By 1853, a number of problems concerning education in the country had risen which required immediate solution. As a result, the despatch prepared by Sir Charles Wood in 1854 on an educational system for India came to be called the Magna Carta of education in the country. The government needed to spread western education through English medium for higher education. But vernacular primary schools should be set up in rural areas. Conclusion

9. The despatch drew special attention of the government, to the importance of placing the means of acquiring useful and practical knowledge within reach of the great mass of the people. This despatch gave many recommendations, on the basis of these recommendations the new system of education in India gradually evolved. However, the despatch has contributed a lot to the organization and stabilization of the present Indian educational system. Continue…