ALFA MERIN THOMAS

Topic : THE DEVELOPMENT OF

ENGLISH EDUCATION IN INDIA
Optional : ENGLISH
Roll No : 4
M.G.U.C.T.E
MUVATTUPUZHA

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History Of English Education in

India
English, the Queen of languages.
It influenced Indian National life.
Aroused patriotism and National sentiments

across the country.

Resulted the independence of India.
English attain the status of Associate Official
Language.

A brief sketch to the history...

I.

PRE-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD:The East India Company (1600),interested in

trade then involved in politics. Became an agent of
British Government during 18th and 19th centuries.

II. POST-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD:After independence English attain the role

of medium of instruction and Associate Official
Language.

PRE-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD
i.

CHARTER ACT

Proposed by William Wilberforce in 1793.

To send teachers to India , but it was rejected.
In 1813 it was renewed.
The clause 43 of the Charter contained the educational
policy of the government.
Promotes translation of native books into English.
Christian missionaries actively engaged in educational
activities in India.
English education began to take root in the Indian soil.

Clause 43

A sum of not less than one lakh

rupees in each year shall be set
apart and applied to the revival
and improvement of literature
and the encouragement of the
learned natives of India, and for
the introduction and promotion of
a knowledge of the sciences

THE EAST-WEST CONTROVERSY

(Also known as Oriental-Occidental Controversy)
Main issues were based on
Whether a limited number of people be given

education in higher branches of learning or

elementary education be given to the masses.
Whether English/Sanskrit/Arabic /Persian be the
medium of instruction.
Whether the Western sciences and literature or the
Eastern studies be encouraged.
Whether the responsibilities for education be
entrusted with the state or be left to private
enterprises.

MACAULAYS MINUTE
New policy by Lord William Thomas Bebington

Macaulay in 1835.
Interpreted clause 43 of Charter Act 1813.
English education should be the aim of
Indian education.
Promotion of literature means promotion of
English literature.
Learned natives meant person learned in
English. Macaulays Minute is
considered as the Blue Print of modern
Indian education.

English as the medium of instruction

due to..
1. English is the key to modern knowledge.
2. It stands pre-eminent among the

languages of the west.

3. It is the language of the ruling class.
4. It would bring about renaissance in India
5. The natives are desirous of learning
English.
(Proposed by Governor
General Lord William Bentinck)

THE DOWNWARD FILTRATION

THEORY
Macaulays view:
We do not at present aim at giving
education directly to the lower classes of the
people of this country. We aim at raising up an
educated class who will thereafter, as we hope,
be the means of diffusing among their
countrymen some portion of the knowledge we
have imparted to them.

POST-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD
ASSOCIATE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Mahatma Gandhi proposed Hindi as
national language because:- as indigenous
language
:-knowledgeable for major
section of India

The Official Language Commission (1955)

strongly recommend for English.
By 1965 English attain the status of
Associate Official Language.

The Three Language Formula

Mother tongue or regional language should

be the medium of instruction throughout the

secondary school stage.
During middle school stage every child should
be taught at least two languages
At the High and Higher Secondary stage , at
least two languages should be studied.

KOTHARI COMMISSION 1964-66

Implications..
Compulsory study of the mother tongue or the

regional language at the Lower Primary stage.

Compulsory study of two languages- the mother
tongue or the language and Hindi or English at
the Upper Primary stage.
Obligatory study of three languages viz, Hindi or
English, English as a library language and a
modern Indian Language in Secondary stage.
Two compulsory language for Higher
Secondary :-a modern Indian language, a
modern foreign language and a classical
language.

Implications of NCERT
Lower Primary mother tongue or the regional

language.
Upper Primary three languages viz, the
mother tongue or the regional language, a
modern Indian Language and English.
Secondary three languages viz, the mother
tongue or regional language, a modern Indian
language and English.