Question

Which of the following is/ are true regarding colonial education?

1. Only a small and slowly expanding minority obtained colonial education.

2. Colonial education was received not through English but was transmitted through the vernacular languages.

3. The most successful of the English-educated chose English language as medium for creative expression over their particular vernacular.

4. English became medium only in the high school education and in colleges.

English became medium only in the high school education and in colleges.

• A. Only 1, 2 and 3
• B. Only 1, 2 and 4
• C. Only 2, 3 and 4
• D. Only 1, 3 and 4

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Only 1, 2 and 4

Colonial Education in India: Key Aspects

• Limited Access: Colonial education primarily benefited a small, elite section of Indian society. The expansion of educational opportunities was slow and did not reach the masses. This was a deliberate strategy to create a class of educated Indians who could assist the British administration.
• Vernacular as Medium: In the initial stages and at the lower levels of education, colonial authorities often used vernacular languages (regional languages) as the medium of instruction. This was partly to facilitate basic education and partly to avoid alienating the local population.
• English in Higher Education: English was gradually introduced and became the dominant medium of instruction, especially in high school and college education. This was crucial for creating a class of English-educated Indians who could fill lower administrative roles and understand British legal and administrative systems.
• Impact on Creative Expression: While many English-educated Indians excelled in literature and other creative fields, the choice to use English as a primary medium for creative expression was a complex issue. Some embraced it, while others felt it distanced them from their cultural roots, leading to debates about identity and language.
• Wood's Despatch (1854): This was a significant policy document that laid the foundation for the modern education system in India. It emphasized the importance of vernacular languages at the primary level and English for higher education, while also advocating for the establishment of universities.
• Macaulay's Minute (1835): Lord Macaulay strongly advocated for English as the medium of instruction. His views heavily influenced British educational policy, leading to the promotion of English education with the aim of creating 'interpreters' between the British and the Indian populace.