Q. Which of the following is regarded as the Magna Carta of western education system in India?
(a) The report of the Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
(b) The Charter Act of 1833.
(c) Despatch of Sir Charles Wood, Secretary of State, 1854
(d) Report of the Hunter Commission, 1862
Ans: (c) Despatch of Sir Charles Wood, Secretary of State, 1854
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Despatch of Sir Charles Wood, Secretary of State, 1854.
The Despatch of Sir Charles Wood, also known as the Wood’s Despatch, is regarded as the Magna Carta of the western education system in India. The Wood’s Despatch was issued in 1854 by Sir Charles Wood, the Secretary of State for India at that time. It laid out a comprehensive policy framework for education in India under British colonial rule. The Despatch emphasized the importance of education, particularly in English, and proposed the establishment of a system of public education with an emphasis on science, literature, and practical skills. It also called for the establishment of universities and encouraged the development of a network of schools and colleges. The Wood’s Despatch had a significant impact on the development of modern education in India and set the foundation for the western education system in the country.