Tamil Nadu Timeline

EducationNational and Dravidian movements

Madras Elementary Education Act

· Chennai

A Madras statute made elementary schooling compulsory for both boys and girls and raised spending on primary schools.

Under the Madras Elementary Education Act of 1920, schooling became compulsory for boys and girls in the Presidency, and more money was provided for elementary education. Parents who took their children out of school faced penalties. Amendments to the Act were made in 1934 and 1935. It is regarded as one of the early pieces of social legislation from the Justice Party period.

Related events

  1. 1919

    1. 23 Dec 1919ChennaiLegislation

      Government of India Act 1919 introduces dyarchy

      Based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, the Act introduced dyarchy in the provinces, including Madras, transferring some subjects to elected ministers.

  2. 1922

    1. 1922ChennaiIndustry

      Madras State Aid to Industries Act

      The Justice Party government passed a law to advance state loans for setting up industries in the Presidency.

    2. 1922ChennaiSocial Reform

      Council adopts the term Adi Dravida

      Acting on a resolution by M. C. Rajah, the Madras Legislative Council adopted Adi-Dravida officially in place of terms like Paraiya and Panchama.

  3. 1925

    1. 1925ChennaiLegislation

      Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act

      A law passed under the Justice Party government placed Hindu temple endowments under the oversight of a statutory board.

  4. 1926

    1. 1926ChennaiSocial Reform

      Muthulakshmi Reddy becomes first woman legislator in India

      Doctor and reformer Muthulakshmi Reddy was nominated to the Madras Legislative Council, becoming the first woman legislator in British India.

  5. 1956

    1. 1956 to 1963ChennaiWelfare

      Kamaraj expands free schooling and midday meals

      The Kamaraj government opened thousands of schools, extended free education and expanded free midday meals for schoolchildren.

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