DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68024#0171
1G3
2. I have already (in my No. 1362, dated 16th March 1870) accepted generally the
changes proposed by that Commission as embodying a practical measure of reform; and with
some reservations I am willing now to give effect to the present detailed scheme for carrying
out those changes. But at the same time I wish to guard myself from being supposed to
’adopt them as a complete and satisfactory solution of the important questions that have been
so long discussed.
3. I have nothing to object to the constitution of the Anglo-Persian department as now
proposed, which indeed scarcely differs from that which has been long in force ; but as regards
the Anglo-Arabic department, I entertain grave doubts of the success of the Committee's
scheme. The records show that the plan now proposed for this department is almost identical
with one which was tried in former years, and was condemned as a complete failure so long ago
as 1853. It is said that the circumstances of the Mahomedan community are so different in
1871 from what they were in 1853, that there is no reason to anticipate a failure now because
a similar plan was unsuccessful 18 years ago. No doubt great changes have occurred in this
interval, and it is possible that the supporters of the present scheme may be right. Recom-
mended as it is, there is a sufficient reason for trying it; but I think it my duty to point out
to the Lieutenant-Governor that the plan of uniting the ^asi-professional study of the
Mahomedan canon law and Mahomedan logic with an ordinary general school education for
boys seems on a priori grounds, irrespective of past experience, to introduce difficulties which,
if not insuperable, are at least so serious that they cannot be disregarded by any one who has a
practical knowledge of educational work. I believe that it would be far better to keep the two
separate, as was insisted on by the Council of Education in 1853, and to require from the stu-
dent a sound preliminary education in the ordinary branches of knowledge before he is allowed
to occupy himself with the distinctive religious and social laws of his creed and race, and the
mazes of ancient logic and rhetoric studied in a classical language of great complexity and
difficulty. In this view I would admit to the Arabic department those only who have either
passed through some of the junior classes of the Anglo-Persian department, and have reached
a certain fixed standard of attainments in the ordinary branches of education there taught, or
who not having attended those classes, are yet able to pass an entrance test examination in
corresponding subjects, either in their own vernacular or in English at their option.
In this way young men from 16 to 18 years of age would enter on the special studies of
the Arabic department with minds already opened and strengthened by a sound course of
ordinary instruction in grammar, arithmetic, elementary mathematics, geography, and history,
and might certainly be expected to make more rapid progress in four or five years in the social
and theological law of Islam and its system of logic, than in the eight years over which the
Committee propose to spread this religious and professional learning in connection with a general
course of ordinary school instruction.
I repeat that the course I have pointed out would, in my judgment, be more promising
for the real educational advancement of the Mahomedan community than the course actually
proposed; but, for the reason already given, I do not now press for its adoption.
Assuming, then, that the scheme proposed for the Arabic department is to be tried, I
accept the detailed arrangements now recommended for the organization of this department
and the Anglo-Persian department, subject to such changes as experience may from time to
time suggest.
4. In regard to the general control and management of the two departments, I have
already advised that the office of Principal, as heretofore constituted, should be abolished.
The present Head Master, Mr. Blochmann, I consider a very valuable and thoroughly trustwor-
thy officer. He possesses in an eminent degree the qualifications most needed in the head of a
Mahomedan school, and he has for more than six years performed the duties entrusted to him
to my entire satisfaction, being popular alike with the students and teachers offboth depart-
ments. I regret that he should have given offence to the Mahomedan Literary Society by
his criticism on the course of study for the Madrasah propounded by them two years ago
during the discussions which arose on the appointment of the Commission of Inquiry. I know,
however, that nothing was further from his intention than to wound the feelings of any one,
and I am sure that the Mahomedan gentlemen on the Committee, who have thought them-
selves aggrieved by what he then wrote, will soon learn to value his sterling qualities as a
teacher, and to repose their full confidence in him as a thoroughly competent and trustworthy
head of the institution which is the object of their care. From my long official knowledge of
him, I feel justified in recommending strongly that he be retained in his present appointment,
and that he be entrusted hereafter with complete executive control over the whole institution
as soon as the new arrangements have been brought into working order. Meanwhile, I propose
that Mr. Sutcliffe be requested to retain the general charge of the institution which he has
undertaken with so much advantage during the past year,
21 A
2. I have already (in my No. 1362, dated 16th March 1870) accepted generally the
changes proposed by that Commission as embodying a practical measure of reform; and with
some reservations I am willing now to give effect to the present detailed scheme for carrying
out those changes. But at the same time I wish to guard myself from being supposed to
’adopt them as a complete and satisfactory solution of the important questions that have been
so long discussed.
3. I have nothing to object to the constitution of the Anglo-Persian department as now
proposed, which indeed scarcely differs from that which has been long in force ; but as regards
the Anglo-Arabic department, I entertain grave doubts of the success of the Committee's
scheme. The records show that the plan now proposed for this department is almost identical
with one which was tried in former years, and was condemned as a complete failure so long ago
as 1853. It is said that the circumstances of the Mahomedan community are so different in
1871 from what they were in 1853, that there is no reason to anticipate a failure now because
a similar plan was unsuccessful 18 years ago. No doubt great changes have occurred in this
interval, and it is possible that the supporters of the present scheme may be right. Recom-
mended as it is, there is a sufficient reason for trying it; but I think it my duty to point out
to the Lieutenant-Governor that the plan of uniting the ^asi-professional study of the
Mahomedan canon law and Mahomedan logic with an ordinary general school education for
boys seems on a priori grounds, irrespective of past experience, to introduce difficulties which,
if not insuperable, are at least so serious that they cannot be disregarded by any one who has a
practical knowledge of educational work. I believe that it would be far better to keep the two
separate, as was insisted on by the Council of Education in 1853, and to require from the stu-
dent a sound preliminary education in the ordinary branches of knowledge before he is allowed
to occupy himself with the distinctive religious and social laws of his creed and race, and the
mazes of ancient logic and rhetoric studied in a classical language of great complexity and
difficulty. In this view I would admit to the Arabic department those only who have either
passed through some of the junior classes of the Anglo-Persian department, and have reached
a certain fixed standard of attainments in the ordinary branches of education there taught, or
who not having attended those classes, are yet able to pass an entrance test examination in
corresponding subjects, either in their own vernacular or in English at their option.
In this way young men from 16 to 18 years of age would enter on the special studies of
the Arabic department with minds already opened and strengthened by a sound course of
ordinary instruction in grammar, arithmetic, elementary mathematics, geography, and history,
and might certainly be expected to make more rapid progress in four or five years in the social
and theological law of Islam and its system of logic, than in the eight years over which the
Committee propose to spread this religious and professional learning in connection with a general
course of ordinary school instruction.
I repeat that the course I have pointed out would, in my judgment, be more promising
for the real educational advancement of the Mahomedan community than the course actually
proposed; but, for the reason already given, I do not now press for its adoption.
Assuming, then, that the scheme proposed for the Arabic department is to be tried, I
accept the detailed arrangements now recommended for the organization of this department
and the Anglo-Persian department, subject to such changes as experience may from time to
time suggest.
4. In regard to the general control and management of the two departments, I have
already advised that the office of Principal, as heretofore constituted, should be abolished.
The present Head Master, Mr. Blochmann, I consider a very valuable and thoroughly trustwor-
thy officer. He possesses in an eminent degree the qualifications most needed in the head of a
Mahomedan school, and he has for more than six years performed the duties entrusted to him
to my entire satisfaction, being popular alike with the students and teachers offboth depart-
ments. I regret that he should have given offence to the Mahomedan Literary Society by
his criticism on the course of study for the Madrasah propounded by them two years ago
during the discussions which arose on the appointment of the Commission of Inquiry. I know,
however, that nothing was further from his intention than to wound the feelings of any one,
and I am sure that the Mahomedan gentlemen on the Committee, who have thought them-
selves aggrieved by what he then wrote, will soon learn to value his sterling qualities as a
teacher, and to repose their full confidence in him as a thoroughly competent and trustworthy
head of the institution which is the object of their care. From my long official knowledge of
him, I feel justified in recommending strongly that he be retained in his present appointment,
and that he be entrusted hereafter with complete executive control over the whole institution
as soon as the new arrangements have been brought into working order. Meanwhile, I propose
that Mr. Sutcliffe be requested to retain the general charge of the institution which he has
undertaken with so much advantage during the past year,
21 A