Mahavira Jain Vidyalaya Rajat Jayanti Mahotsava

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 196

SILVER JUBILER]
EDUCATION IN INDIA
37
schools. Poor boys and pupils of the backward class are also encouraged by the grant of scholarships and free studentships.
In light of our examination, we conclude that looking to the large and growing requirements of the country, the present position is very unsatisfactory. The provision so far made by Government or private efforts is very inadequate. Still much remains to be done. The problem has assumed greater importance after the outbreak of the war as several new industries have been started and several are proposed to be started. The Government must adopt a bolder policy. Greater facilities should be given for industrial and technical education. At the same time active co-operation and support of the industrialists and the businessmen is very essential.
The Universities should also give special prominence to degrees in technology, commerce and agriculture. At the Tokyo University in 1919, the largest number of under-graduates were preparing themselves for a degree in commerce. More recently even greater prominence has been given in that country to training in technical arts. It has been remarked that the cotton and other mills in Japan are to-day wholly manned by young men who have had higher training in textile, mechanical and other types of engineering. As things stand at present, practical proposals of this kind, if put forward, are liable to be received with. indifference or positive ridicule in University circles.
There should be a large number of special business institutes and schools in the country at which arts graduates and middle-class business men might receive the finishing touches of training needed to manage a factory, farm or shop. Industrial and technical institutes and Universities should arrange for popular evening classes in all industrial towns to enable practical men to improve their knowledge and qualify for more responsible positions in their own business.
Other educational facilities needed are the deputation of students to foreign countries: changing the character of education in public institutions so as to provide an industrial bias: and provision of mass education and adult education on an extensive scale.
The majority of the rural population should, as in the United States of America, receive training in mechanics and mechanical pursuits to give them a machine-sense and make them efficient producers. This will bring the education of the masses to the requisite practical standards for industrial life.
Sir M. VISVESVARAYA.