Question

Why was hunter commission set up? Mention its main recommendations

Answer 1

Hunter Education Commission was a landmark commission appointed by Viceroy Lord Ripon with objectives to look into the complaints of the non-implementation of the Wood's Despatch of 1854; the contemporary status of elementary education in the British territories; and suggest means by which this can be extended and ...

The main recommendations of the Commission were as under:

1.      In the field of primary education, the commission made elaborate recommendations on the lines of country council act of England with regard to its policy, objectives, curriculum, methods of teaching, teachers training, finance and administration etc. The responsibility of imparting primary education was fixed on local – bodies.

2.    The curriculum should be framed according to local needs and its practical aspects properly emphasised.

3.  The Mother tongue should be the medium of instruction at the primary stage. The commission was silent about the secondary stage. Hence, indirectly, it supported the cause of English.

4.     The Commission recommended the establishment of a model Government high school in each District.

5.       At the secondary stage two types of courses were recommended. ‘A’ Type courses was to be pursued upto university level and ‘B’ type for providing vocational education. Thus, the Commission laid special emphasis on the diversification of courses.

6.    For primary teachers training, the number of normal schools should be increased or, established.

7.       Due encouragement should be given to local co-operation and private efforts. It suggested for the creation of a fund for the development of education in the country and the government was made responsible for providing grant-in-aid.

8.      Emphasis was laid on the Indianisation of education. The result was that the number of institutions at various levels of education increased enormously.

9.    Government institutions were banned for imparting religious education. Private institutions had freedom to manage their affairs in their own way. This lead to a policy of religious neutrality on the part of the government.

10.   In the field of women education, emphasis was laid on the differentiation of curriculum, award of scholarships and facilities in appointments

11.    Education for Muslims was given due to encouragement and attention was paid towards granting proper facilities to them.

12.   The commission also recommended for the proper arrangements of the education of backward classes.


Thus, the recommendations of the Hunter Commission (1882) gave a great set back to the efforts of the Christian missionaries. The individual’s efforts and local co-operation got due impetus and encouragement. This led to Indianisation of education. The result was increased number of schools and colleges. Grant-in-aid system was recognised by the Government and emphasis was laid on imparting useful knowledge.

But most important recommendation of the commission was with regard to the development and improvement of primary education. The practice of appointing Indian as school inspector in education department was adopted. The government institutions observed a policy of religious neutrality.