EDUCATION AND CULTURE

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Some sort of a system of imparting education to the local populace was in existence in the past, though no records supporting the claim are available. In the ancient period the Akola district was the part of Dandakaranya wherein some ashramas, were noted for being centres of education. These ashramas were at Washim, the capital of the kings of the Vakataka dynasty, Ausing, and Bhar Jahagir. Nothing is positively known about the system of education during mediaeval times till the district became part of the Hyderabad dominion. Education did not receive any impetus during the reign of the Nizams of Hyderabad. Subsequently when Berar was handed over to the British in perpetuity, the new rulers started very few schools in the district. In the beginning, vernacular schools were started with the addition of the English medium classes. The old Gazetteer of Akola has to say the following about the education in the district.

"A Government high school and a training school and Anglo-verancular school are maintained at Akola together with 5 municipal schools. Anglo-vernacular schools are to be found at all tahsil headquarters. The District Board is responsible for primary schools in non-municipal towns and villages. Girls schools were formerly maintained by the local bodies but they have now; been taken over by Government. Low caste boys pay no fees. T technical school was opened a few years ago at Basim, but its progress has not been entirely satisfactory. The American Alliance Mission maintains a small industrial school at Akola where carpentry and kindred trades are taught. A scheme to develop and enlarge this school is now under consideration. The total number of schools in the District is at present 240. Education is popular and most schools lack sufficient accommodation." [Central Provinces and Berar District Gazetteers, Akola District, 1310, pp. 280-281.]

TOP