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Show on the verandah of the teacher's house or out under the shade of a tree, with often nothing more than a table and chair for the teacher, and matting for the pupils. Books and slates and pencils are notably scarce. But the Primary School is of first importance, and it is upon these mud floors that the educational battle must be won. The Madura Mission was begun in 1834, scarcely a year after the British had undertaken the Government system of education, which in 1919 was passed to the control of the Indians. The Mission began its history with strong emphasis upon education; it has established Boarding Schools and made every eff'ort to organize the village work. But the task has been too tremendous for even the combined forces not alone in Madura District but all over the commonwealth; so that today 38,000,000 children of school age are growing up absolutely illiterate. Only one out of three boys and one out of fifteen girls can read. We are not providing for the Christian children by any means, large numbers being unable for various reasons to enter any school. It is evident that we cannot leave India now in the midst of her experiment. Boarding Schools for both boys and girls hold a most.important place; they must fill the place between the village school and the High School, often providing the only door leading to a life of respectability, useful employment and comfortable living; and they lay the foundations of character essential for leadership. This is the all important work we have been aiding for more than twenty-five years in Madura District, Mr. Perkins spent a long period at Aruppukottai. When he moved to Dindigul in 1912 to the same class of work, he felt that he must again have our co-operation. Even while the Board puzzled over the situation quite unable to see how the fund for Madura Mission could be doubled, an unexpected answer came in the shape of a legacy for India from an unknown source for the exact amount asked. It was to Mr. Perkins a certain answer to prayer; and having assumed the obligation, we have been able to keep it up, and the workers have been able to do untold good with so small a sum. Last year an exchange was arranged with the W. B. M. I. which has larger interests there, and in the place of Dindigul we take the Abbott Home at Wai. [ 66 ] |