Page:Provincial geographies of India (Volume 4).djvu/135

] Education. The important branch of education is administered by a Department under a Director of Public Instruction. As elsewhere indicated, the basis of primary education of boys is the monastic school system. Besides monastic schools, there are many others, some supported from municipal and town funds, others by missions or private teachers, very few directly by Government. Most schools receive grants in aid from provincial funds, subject to inspection and observance of prescribed courses of study. While elementary education is very widely spread, higher education is in a backward state. Till recently, colleges in Burma were affiliated to the Calcutta University. In 1920, the University of Rangoon was established, consisting of University College, maintained by Government, and Judson College, maintained by the American Baptist Mission Union.

Municipal. Municipal administration was introduced in 1874 and has since, from time to time, been largely extended. At present there are in Lower Burma 35, and in Upper Burma 13, municipal towns. Many members of municipal committees are elected and in some towns there are non-official presidents and vice-presidents. The tendency is to minimize official control and guidance. In 23 smaller towns committees with somewhat less extensive powers manage local affairs.

Revenue System. Commissioners, deputy commissioners, sub-divisional and township officers, and village headmen are concerned in the revenue administration. At the head is the Financial Commissioner. In Lower Burma, the land revenue system is comparatively simple. The State is the