The Indian Education Commission 1882-83, the first in the series, was set up under the chairmanship of William Hunter to enquire into the manner in which effect had been given to the principles of the Despatch of 1854, with particular emphasis on elementary education. The primary education system was given an impetus by the Report of the Hunter Commission. The Commission also recommended, “Primary education be regarded as the instruction of the masses through the vernacular in such subjects as will best fit them for their position in life, and be not necessarily regarded as a portion of instruction leading up to University”. The inquiry of the Commission led to a great educational awakening in India and its main findings agreed largely with the Despatch of 1854, which dominated the Indian educational policy.

Hunter Commision