COOXIV 



a school." Going back to 1870-71, we find that primary edflcation 

 was then in its infancy : only 1,606 schools had been registered in the 

 official returns for the whole Presidency, and these, with an attendance 

 of 42,299 pupils, earned a grant of Es. 60,332 from Government. It 

 is clear then that since 1870-71 primary education has been rapidly 

 extending under the combined exertions of Government, Municipalities, 

 and Local Fund Boards. By far the largest share of the financial cost 

 of primary education is now borne by Municipalities and Local Boards. 

 According to the returns for 1890-91 it was no less than five-sixths of 

 the total charge. The most pressing question in connection with primary 

 education is, of course, the question of finance. While there seems to be 

 almost an indefinite scope for the extension, and the improvement in 

 quality, of village schools, the agencies, who now mainly contribute 

 towards their upkeep, are beginning to feel the pressure of cost and 

 complain that they have already gone far enough, in justice to other and 

 more pressing demands upon their resources. 



Perhaps the most hopeful sign of the intellectual and moral progress 

 of the country is the encouragement given in recent years to female 

 education. In 1870-71, there were no girl-schools to speak of, except 

 the few that had been started by Christian Missionaries in Madras and 

 a few other stations. In 1890-91, according to the report of the Director 

 of Public Instruction, there were no less than 87,715 girl-pupils under 

 instruction. The number that has gone through the higher courses of 

 school and collegiate study is, as may be expected, very limited ; but 

 there are hopeful indications that increasing numbers will soon go up to 

 the higher stages of education. Only two women have as yet taken the 

 degree of Bachelor of Arts in the local University. Sixty- three female 

 candidates went up for the Matriculation Examination in 189 0-91, of 

 whom 37 were successful, while 278 candidates appeared for the Higher 

 Examination for Women, of whom 160 passed and obtained certificates. 

 It is a significant fact that even the most conservative classes of the 

 Indian community are coming under the influence of this new education — 

 which^ as it spreads wider and wider, would doubtless prepare the way for 

 those much-needed social reforms, for which our reformers are fighting 

 so hard, but now without the support of those who constitute the 

 real strength of Hindu homes. 



During the period under review, steps were also taken for encour- 

 aging education among Europeans and Eurasians, Muhammadans and 

 other classes who, by reason of their poverty or other cause, were slow 

 to avail themselves of the ordinary facilities for education afforded by 

 the State. On the 31st March 1891 there were 94 schools for Europeans 

 and Eurasians with an attendance of 3,855 boys and 3,152 girls, and 

 936 schools for Muhammadans with 39,089 pupils under instruction. 

 Municipalities and Local Fund Boards now pay special attention to the 

 education of the backward sections of the community, such as weavers 

 and other handicraftsmen. Night schools have also been started for 

 the sons of these classes, so that those who cannot spare time in the day 

 may be instructed for an hour or so after sun-set. According to the 

 return for 1890-91, there were no less than 609 night schools with an 

 attendance of 11,706 pupils. Schools for Pariahs specially are few as 

 yet : but under the order of Government recently issued, they will soon 

 come into existence. 



