Indian Education in the 19th and 20th century (In Indian Centenary commemoration brochure)
When primary education for the children of a community is limited to Standard IV for a period of 30 years, it goes without saying that this situation evinces apathy on the part of the Authorities! Such was the "chaotic" situation of Indian primary education in Natal from 1869 to l 899. The greater part of this period was characterised by almost absolute emphasis on little other than the three R's-Reading, Writing and Arithmetic-and not without justification.
Economically the Indian was dependent on the European and, as a means of fostering mutual understanding, the English language medium was indispensable. Socially, the Indian still clung tenaciously to the pattern
of his forebears and there was little demand for education on a higher level for some time.
The employers were concerned, at first, with labour supply. Education was not their concern, quite unlike the position existing today amployers on large estates (sugar cane, wattle) establish State-aided schools for the
children of Indian employees, as an important maans of maintaining a constant labour supply.
Neither did the Colony take the onus for scme time.