Hunter Commission

The Hunter Commission was a landmark commission appointed by Viceroy Lord Ripon in 1882 to examine the state of education in India and make recommendations for reforms. The commission was headed by William Wilson Hunter, an Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer and a member of Lord Ripon’s Executive Council. The commission had 20 members, including 7 Indian members. In addition to the Hunter Commission of 1882, there was also a Hunter Commission in 1919. This commission was appointed to investigate the Amritsar massacre, which took place in April 1919. The commission’s report, released in 1920, was very critical of the British government’s handling of the tragedy.

In this article, we will look into the historical background, members, objectives, functions, recommendations, Hunter Commission Report and its impact.

Historical Background of Hunter Commission

 The British East India Company lost its administrative powers over India as a result of the Revolt of 1857, and those authorities were passed to the British Crown. Following this move, it was widely felt that the educational situation in the country needed to be re-evaluated as the grant-in-aid system introduced by Wood’s 1854 dispatch was not implemented as expected. All of these factors prompted a campaign in London, which resulted in the formation of the “General Council of Education in India.” From 1880 until 1884, Lord Ripon served as Viceroy of India and was asked by the General Council of Education in India to oversee the state of education in India. As a result, in 1882, Lord Ripon established the Indian Education Commission, with Sir William Hunter as its chairman.

Hunter Commission Members

The Hunter Commission, officially known as the Indian Education Commission, comprised several distinguished members, both British and Indian, who were appointed to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the state of education in India.

Member	Background
Sir William Hunter (Chairman)	British civil servant and social reformer
Sir Richard Temple	Prominent British administrator in Indian affairs
The Hon. Mr. Justice Arthur Strachey	Distinguished British jurist
Pandit Mahadev Govind Ranade	Eminent Indian social reformer and scholar
Sir Monier Monier-Williams	Renowned British orientalist and Sanskrit scholar
Sir Alfred Croft	Notable British educationist and administrator
K. G. Gupta	Respected Indian educator and academician
Dr. M. Thibaut	Distinguished British physician and educationist

Objectives of the Hunter Commission

The following were the objectives of the Hunter Commission:

• The commission aimed to investigate the state of education in India, including infrastructure, curriculum, and administration.
• It aimed to identify challenges and deficiencies in the education system, such as access, quality, and disparities.
• Based on its findings, the commission made recommendations for reforms in curriculum, teacher training, infrastructure, and language policies.
• It aimed to align education with societal needs and aspirations, considering economic, social, and cultural dynamics.
• The commission aimed to balance indigenous and Western educational traditions, integrating them harmoniously.
• Ultimately, the commission aimed to promote social and economic progress through educational reform, laying the groundwork for a brighter future.

Main Functions of the Hunter Commission

The following were the main functions of the Hunter Commission:

1. Evaluation of primary and secondary education.
2. Reviewing state institutions.
3. To look at the contributions of Christian missionaries in the field of education.
4. To review the government’s attitude toward the private sector.

Key Recommendations of the Hunter Commission Related to Primary Education

The following are the key recommendations of the Hunter Commission related to primary education:

• Primary education should be seen as mass education.
• The qualities of self-reliance should be inculcated in the individual through primary education.
• The medium of instruction at the primary stage should be in the mother tongue of the individual.
• Teachers should be appointed by the District Magistrate and authorized by the government.
• School buildings, types of equipment, and furniture should be durable and economical.
• Teacher training should be provided through normal schools.
• The curriculum should include useful subjects such as agriculture, natural and physical sciences, and local methods of arithmetic and measurement.
• It should be the responsibility of the government to spread primary education among the tribal tribes and backward castes.
• School fees should be charged to the students based on their financial capacity.

Hunter Commission Report

The Hunter Commission was a commission appointed by the Viceroy of India, Lord Ripon, in 1882 to investigate the state of education in India. The commission was headed by Sir William Wilson Hunter, and its report was published in 1883.

1. Primary Education

• The Hunter Commission gave its suggestions in every field of primary education. It determined the policies of primary education, organization, economic system, training of teachers, and curriculum of schools.
• It suggested that primary education should be given to the students in their mother tongue only. 
• Students who belong to backward classes and tribals should also be provided education. To establish that Hunter Commission placed the responsibility of primary education on local bodies, district boards, municipal boards, town areas, etc.
• The Hunter Commission in its suggestions suggested that funds should be made separately for primary education. Different types of financial assistance should be provided to urban and rural primary schools. 
• The Hunter Commission also mandated the establishment of teacher training schools. Training schools should be established at such places from where the number of teachers can be easily available in vacant schools. and practical subjects should be included in the curriculum.

2. Secondary Education

• The Hunter Commission mentioned that the responsibility of secondary education should be completely handed over to the Indians.
• Indian people should also be given adequate opportunities to work in the field of education. Whereas the difficulties in the way of education should be removed through grants and financial assistance.

3. Higher Education

• Hunter Commission has also given its suggestions regarding higher education. He told that financial assistance in the field of higher education should be given to teachers, students, educational institutions, laboratories, libraries, and reading rooms.
• Financial assistance should be made available after looking at all the things like scientific equipment, building, furniture, etc. So that the development of higher education institutions can be done properly.

4. Religious Education

• Concerning religious education also, the Hunter Commission suggested that whatever schools are being run by the government. There should not be any kind of place for religious education in those schools.
• Whereas non-government institutions, private schools, may or may not have a provision for religious education depending on the management of the school.

5. Female Education

• The Hunter Commission has also given various suggestions regarding women’s education. It suggested having separate courses for boys and girls.
• Life useful subjects should be included in the curriculum for the girl child. They should also be given practical knowledge of life.
• Where arrangements are being made for the education of girls. Women teachers should be appointed there while other officers should also be women.

6. Missionary Education

The schools established by missionaries were not considered indigenous schools. The Hunter Commission said that India is a country of many religions, castes, and traditions. Where the responsibility of higher education should not be given to any institution. To tackle this more efforts were also made by the missionaries in the field of higher education.

7. Special Education Scheme

Hunter Education Commission pointed out and suggested that special types of schools should be opened for the native kings, Jagirdars, and talukdars. In which the system of education will be better than other schools.

8. Education of Backward and Tribal Areas

• The commission also suggested that education is for all and the people of backward classes, scheduled castes, tribes, and tribals should also be given full rights and full opportunities for education.
• Untouchability based on caste, class, creed, etc. should be abolished and different types of problems should also be solved judiciously and wisely. It suggested that special types of schools should also be arranged for the residents of tribal areas and hilly areas.

9. Grants in Aid

• Under the Wood Declaration, the grant-in-aid system was implemented in India but there was a lack of uniformity. Its form was different in different states of India. As in Madras, the salary was given in the form of a grant. But in Mumbai, they used to pay salaries based on exam results.
• The salary was given as a fixed practice in central India and northern India. Therefore, the Hunter Commission recommended that there should be uniformity in the grant system in all the states of India.

Impact of Hunter Commission on Education and Administration

The following were the impacts of Hunter Commission in education and administration:

1. Curriculum Reform

One of the major impacts of the Hunter Commission was its advocacy for curriculum reform. It emphasized the need to modernize the curriculum to meet the evolving socio-economic needs of India. This led to the introduction of new subjects and updated teaching methodologies, making education more relevant and practical.

2. Teacher Training and Professional Development

The commission’s recommendations also highlighted the importance of teacher training and professional development. Efforts were made to establish training institutes and improve the qualifications and competencies of teachers. This resulted in a more skilled and motivated teaching workforce, enhancing the quality of education delivery.

3. Infrastructure Development

The Hunter Commission emphasized the importance of adequate infrastructure for educational institutions. As a result, there was increased investment in building schools, colleges, and other educational facilities across India. Improved infrastructure helped in expanding access to education, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

4. Promotion of Vernacular Education

Recognizing the importance of indigenous languages and cultures, the commission advocated for the promotion of vernacular education alongside English. This led to the establishment of vernacular schools and the inclusion of regional languages in the curriculum, promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity in education.

5. Administrative Reforms

In addition to its impact on education, the Hunter Commission also brought about major administrative reforms. It recommended changes in the administrative structure of educational institutions, promoting decentralization and greater autonomy at the local level. This helped in streamlining decision-making processes and improving efficiency in educational administration.

6. Legacy and Long-Term Impact

The recommendations of the Hunter Commission had a lasting impact on the Indian education system and administration. Many of its reforms laid the foundation for subsequent developments in education policy and practice. The commission’s emphasis on quality, relevance, and inclusivity continues to shape educational initiatives in India to this day.

Conclusion – Hunter Commission

In conclusion, the Hunter Commission was established in 1882 to investigate the state of education in India. The commission made several recommendations, including the establishment of a uniform education system, the introduction of compulsory education, and the provision of free education for girls. The commission’s recommendations were accepted by the British government, and they led to a number of reforms in the Indian education system. The Hunter Commission’s report is considered to be a landmark document in the history of Indian education. The commission’s recommendations helped to lay the foundation for the modern Indian education system.

People Also View:

• Major Educational Commissions of Modern India
• Kothari Commission (1964-66)
• National Commission For Backward Classes (NCBC)

FAQs on Hunter Commission

What was the Hunter Commission?

The Hunter Commission, officially known as the Indian Education Commission, was a governmental inquiry established in 1882 to investigate the state of education in India during British colonial rule.

Who chaired the Hunter Commission?

Sir William Hunter, a British civil servant and social reformer, served as the chairman of the Hunter Commission.

What was the purpose of the Hunter Commission?

The commission aimed to assess the condition of education in India, identify challenges, and make recommendations for its improvement.

When was the Hunter Commission established?

The Hunter Commission was established in 1882 during the late 19th century.

Who were the members of the Hunter Commission?

The commission comprised both British and Indian members, including administrators, educators, jurists, and social reformers.

What were the key findings of the Hunter Commission?

The commission identified deficiencies in the education system and recommended reforms in curriculum, teacher training, infrastructure, and language policies.

What was the impact of the Hunter Commission on education in India?

The commission’s recommendations led to significant reforms, including curriculum modernization, teacher training improvements, and infrastructure development.

Did the Hunter Commission address administrative issues as well?

Yes, the commission also recommended administrative reforms, promoting decentralization and greater autonomy in educational institutions.

What was the legacy of the Hunter Commission?

The commission’s recommendations had a lasting impact on education policy and practice in India, laying the foundation for subsequent reforms.

Is the Hunter Commission relevant today?

While the commission operated during the late 19th century, its emphasis on quality, relevance, and inclusivity in education remains relevant in contemporary discussions on educational reform.