An Excellent Suggestion.

WE have in our leading article referred to some salient points in the address of Sir Abdur Rahim at the Mysore University Convocation. Here is a suggestion thrown out by the lecturer in the course of the address, which we desire to draw attention: “Is it not possible for the State educational department,” he says, “to call to its help the voluntary missionary effort of educated men with leisure at their disposal, in spreading education, lecturing, teaching and organising classes in schools? In other departments such as legislation, administration of justice and municipal administration, unpaid services of citizens are being more and more gradually utilised even in India in addition to the work entrusted to the paid official staff.” It is not merely in Mysore that this excellent suggestion, if accepted and carried out, would do great good. All over the country is a dearth of competent and qualified teachers. This dearth is often put forward, and not without reason, as a serious obstacle in the way of a rapid extension of the field of education.