oriental-occidental controversy in education

                            oriental-occidental controversy

Earlier,In INDIA,education was provided by private sector only.After the cognizance of Britishers ,it came into the hands of government.They tried to give education a western flavour,and of course,they were succeed in this motive.
The current education system had begun to grow it's root in 19th century.there were contradictions whether to continue the oriental education or to introduce the European ,western literature and science.It was LORD MACAULAY who advocated the European education in India. He came to India as a law member of council of Governer-general on 10th June 1834.he was appointed as a chair man of the society of the public instructions of Bengal by LORD WILLIAM BENTICK.At that time a violent ORIENTAL AND OCCIDENTAL controversy regarding medium of education in India was very evident.
LORD MACAULAY submitted his minutes on 2nd February 1835.this contained the scheme of education to be followed in the India.In his minutes,he supported the WESTERN EDUCATION THROUGH ENGLISH MEDIUM in the country.His recommendations were accepted by lord William Bentick.
This was the beginning of present education system in our country.

NATURE OF CONTROVERSIES:  There were many controversies over the following issues:

AIM---The first controversy was about the target population.whether to educate the elites in higher education or to provide learning to the masses in elementary education.
OBJECTS: The second controversy was ,whether to preserve and promote oriental learning or,to introduce and encourage western knowledge,culture and science.
MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION: What should be the medium of instruction,whether it should be English or Persian and Sanskrit .this was the third controversy.
AGENCY:  Whether the state should take direct responsibility of education or allow the indigenous system of the country to impart and look after the education.
MISSIONARY POLICY  :What should be the role of missionaries here?whether they should be given more freedom ,or should be restricted to limited number.
MACAULAY; A GREAT PROPONENT OF ENGLISH 

 Macauly was the great stickler of english.He rejected the Sanskrit as well as Arabic and Persian,because he considered the English as the superior to the indigenous languages.
There are following arguments that he provided in the favour of English.

• English is the key to modern education and current knowledge.
• It is more useful than Indian language.
• It is the language of the ruling class.
• It is the language of commerce.
• English literature is more authentic and scholarly correct. 

 According to MACAULAY, There will be a" class of persons Indian in blood and colour,but english in taste ,in opinion,in morals and in intellect."
He advocated the FILTRATION THEORY ,which i will discuss in my next blog.