Page:Reports on the State of Education in Bengal (1835 & 1838).djvu/106

36 the natives themselves to provide their children and their countrymen with English instruction. This class of schools may be subdivided into those that are pay-schools, and those in which the instruction is gratuitous.

The first English school of this kind is situated at Bhowanipore, and is called the Union school, in consequence of its having been formed by the union of two such schools respectively established at Bhowanipore and Kidderpore. They were established without any communication with Europeans by Native gentlemen for the instruction of Hindoo children in English, and were at first supported by voluntary subscription. In May, 1829, they were placed upon an improved footing; and in the management of them Europeans and Natives were then first associated. They were opened to pay-scholars, and the Calcutta School Society made them a monthly grant towards their support; but that resource not proving adequate to their wants, they applied to the General Committee of Public Instruction for assistance. Their immediate wants extended only to about 600 rupees for the necessary school-furniture; but the General Committee placed 1,000 rupees at the disposal of the School Society for the use of each school considering it to be “a great object to establish schools of this description which might in time serve as preparatory steps to the Hindoo College, and relieve that institution of part of the duty of elementary tuition.” The united school is supported partly by public subscriptions and partly by the fees of the scholars, of whom there are at present about 150. This is a day-school, instruction being given every day of the week from ten to three except on Sundays.

Another English school of this description is situated at Simliya, and has about 70 scholars. It is exclusively a pay-school, having no other resources except the fees paid by the scholars. There are three teachers, one Englishman and two Hindoos.

A third school of this kind is situated in Upper Circular Road and has 30 or 40 scholars. It is a pay-school, and the proprietor is a Christian, who supports himself by teaching.

A fourth pay-school is situated in Burra Bazar, and has 30 or 40 scholars taught by a Native.

The most popular school of this description is situated at Sobha Bazar and has about 300 scholars. The proprietors are a