Mahatma Gandhi’s Contribution to Education

On economic, political and military grounds, India was of first rate importance to the British and education was the instrument by which they sought to maintain and strengthen their domination by experimenting with a unique model of educating an elite through a foreign language. However, contrary to the popular belief, English education was not forced on the Indians. Rich Indian citizens had actively come forward in setting up the system as the only way to modernize their society. So much time was spent in mastering English language by the Indian School boys that the main purpose of education was missed. The premium on rate learning and examinations was so high, that the growth of inquisitiveness and an experimental bent of mind, so necessary for economic development, were not cultivated. But more important was an invisible and quite change in attitudes and values of viewing education as a social welfare activity for girls and an investment for boys. As an outcome, the system concentrated on a centralized and uniform higher education