GOVERNMENT OF MADRAS.

EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.

Read letter from the Director of Public Instruction, dated 20th July1878, No. 2,815.

                           ORDER THEREON, 20th September 1878,No. 429.

       The Report on the Medical College for the year 1877-78, though dated the
24th June 1878, was not issued from the Press until the 2nd September, and did not
reach the Government till the 6th idem. To guard against similar delay, the Report
will, in future, be submitted to Government in manuscript and printed with their
Order thereon.

       2. The aggregate number of students
in the College during 1877-78 was slightly
in excess of 1876-77. Taking the Depart-
ments separately there was, as compared
with the previous year, a falling off in
the Senior and Junior Departments, and a
considerable increase in the Second Depart-
ment.

       3. The decrease in the Senior Department is ascribed to the restriction of fresh
admission, but as the order on the subject was not issued until the 4th May 1877, it
could not have had the effect of excluding candidates from entering the College on the
1st of April.

       The Government do not see any disadvantage in students proceeding to England
to finish their studies, and therefore find no reason for action in the direction suggested
by the Principal of the Medical College.

       4. Most of the students in the Second Department belong to the Civil branch,
thirty-three being in the first year, six in the second year, and nine in the third year
of collegiate training. There were also four female students, and His Grace the
Governor in Council notes with pleasure the high places which they have taken in the
list. The suggestion of the Examiners to be allowed some discretion in the system of
classing with reference to marks does not commend itself to Government.

       5. The changes sanctioned in G.O., dated the 23rd August 1878, No. 398, for
the purpose of giving students in the Junior Department a longer collegiate training,
will, it is hoped, effect a material improvement in results.

       6. The requirements of the Professors of Materia Medica and Chemistry should
be brought forward separately.

       7. The eleemosynary system of education in the Medical College having been
abolished, future annual reports should exhibit the receipts and expenditure of the
Institution. It is satisfactory to learn that the change has not resulted in any decrease
in the number of applicants for admission.

       8. The Director of Public Instruction will convey to the Principal and Professors
of the Medical College the thanks of Government for their labors in connection with
this important institution.

                                                               (Signed)      C. G. MASTER,

Acting Chief Secretary.