The Hunter Commission (1882) appointed to survey the state of education in India

The Hunter Commission of 1882 was appointed by Lord Ripon to review the progress of education since Wood's Despatch of 1854 [5]. The commission's report is often described as a revised and enlarged version of the 1854 Despatch, effectively endorsing its principles while shifting focus toward mass education. It emphasized that the state should take special care for the extension and improvement of primary education, recommending that it be imparted through vernacular languages [4]. While Wood's Despatch had laid the foundation for a comprehensive system, the Hunter Commission specifically highlighted that primary education had been neglected and should be transferred to the control of newly formed district and municipal boards [2]. It did not deprecate university education but rather suggested that secondary education be improved as a necessary pre-condition for university success [3]. It also supported the grant-in-aid system to encourage private participation [5].

Sources

1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 30: Development of Education > Hunter Education Commission (1882-83) > p. 567
2. [5] https://rtuassam.ac.in/online/staff/classnotes/files/1756967086.pdf
3. [4] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 30: Development of Education > Development of Vernacular Education > p. 572
4. [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 30: Development of Education > Hunter Education Commission (1882-83) > p. 566
5. [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 30: Development of Education > Saddler University Commission (1917-19) > p. 568