XI
COLLECTOR, MADRAS TO BOARD OF REVENUE: 13.11.1822
(TNSA: BRP: Vol.931, Pro.14.11.1822 pp.10, 512-13 No.57-8)- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
under date the 25th July last, with one from government and to
forward the statement therein called for. - Adverting to the Orders of Government above referred to
I beg leave to submit the information I have been able to obtain
on the several questions connected with the system of education
adopted in this Collectorate. - The schools enumerated in the statement comprise only
those in which the various descriptions of the Hindoo and
Mussulman children are educated. - These children are sent to school when they are above
five years old and their continuance in it depends in a great
measure on their mental faculties, but it is generally admitted
that before they attain their thirteenth year of age, their acquire-
ment in the various branches of learning are uncommonly great,
a circumstance very justly ascribed to an emulation and perse-
verance peculiar only to the Hindoo castes. - Astronomy, Astrology, etc., are in some instances taught
to the children of the poorer class of Bramins gratis, and in
certain few cases an allowance is given proportionate to the
circumstances of the parents or guardians. - In this Collectorate there are no schools endowed by the
public. Those denominated ‘Charity schools’ include a few insti-
tutions of that description under the immediate control of the
missionary society. The scholars in them are therefore of various
sects and persuasions. - These Charity schools are abolished at the pleasure of
their supporters. - The allowances paid to each of the teachers in a school
seldom exceed 12 pagodas per annum for every scholar.
Madras Cutcherry, L.G.K. Murray,
13th November 1822. Collector.
(Statement on next page)