Which of the following statements are correct regarding the Hunter Commission of 1882?

1. It was made to review the progress made in the field of education following Wood's Dispatch.

2. It laid special emphasis on primary education whose control ought to be transferred to district and municipal boards.

3. It underlined the need to provide adequate facilities for the spread of women’s education outside the presidency towns.

4. Private initiative in the field of education should not be encouraged.

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) 1, 2 and 3 only.

Explanation:
The Hunter Commission of 1882 was established to review the state of education in British India, especially after the recommendations made by Wood's Dispatch of 1854. The commission focused on several aspects of education, including primary education, women's education, and the role of government and private initiatives in education.

• The commission recommended that primary education be given special emphasis and suggested that its control be transferred to district and municipal boards, making it more localized and accessible to the general population.

• It emphasized the importance of women's education, particularly outside the presidency towns, and advocated for expanding educational facilities for women in rural and less urbanized areas.

• The commission, however, did not discourage private initiatives in the field of education, as it recognized the contribution of private institutions to education in India.

Information Booster:

• The Hunter Commission was chaired by Sir William Hunter, a British civil servant, who was tasked with assessing the progress of education following Wood's Dispatch.

• One of the key recommendations was the need for a better system of primary education, particularly in rural areas.

• The commission advocated for more opportunities for women’s education, which was considered critical for social reform.

• It recognized the importance of local management in education through district and municipal boards to improve efficiency and reach.

Additional Information:

• Option 4 is incorrect because the commission did not argue against private initiative in education. In fact, it acknowledged the importance of private institutions in supporting education.

• The Hunter Commission was part of ongoing reforms to improve educational access in India, especially following earlier directives like Wood's Dispatch (1854), which had laid down the foundation for educational policies in the country.