( 2 )
11. As these experiments have turned out a success, I suggest that
a certain amount of riding and gymnastics might very well be demanded at
the examination.
THE STUDENTS.
12. Class A.—Twenty-nine
students attended lectures in Class A at the
beginning of the session (Appendix IV). Of these, 25 were new men, 3
belonged to a batch of 4 that had failed at the examination for promotion in
1896-97, and 1 belonged to a batch of 5 that had been prevented from going
up for examination owing to irregular attendance.
13. Of the 29 students, only 15 continued their studies throughout the
year, and these men were all successful at the examination for promotion which
was held in March 1898. It will be seen by Appendix V that while the first
man scored 388 marks out of a possible 400 the last man secured more than half
marks. Considering that a third of the aggregate maximum marks will pass a
student, these results are very high.
14. It was suggested last year by the Assistant to the Inspector-General,
Civil Veterinary Department, that the Board of Examiners should examine
Class A, as well as Class 13. But this arrangement has not been sanctioned,
and the examinations were conducted by me.
15. Class B.—Nineteen students attended lectures in B class at the begin-
ning of the session (Appendix VI). Of these, 10 were students promoted from
Class A, 4 were students debarred at the final examination in March 1897 on
account of irregular attendance, and 5 were students who had failed to pass.
This number was gradually reduced to 15, as 2 students left in July, 1 in August,
and 1 in December. All the 15 students were allowed to present themselves for
examination, and all passed except one, who was plucked in medicine (Appendix
VII).
16. Therefore the pass in Class A is 100 per cent., and in Class B is 93.33
per cent. In the previous examination the pass in Class A was 50 percent., and
in Class B was 42.86 per cent. This includes the men who failed through irregu-
lar attendance.
17. The good results of the examinations are due to a tightening of disci-
pline, to better teaching, and to the Hostel being opened, which has made it
possible to increase the practical instruction.
18. I am not yet satisfied with the amount of practical knowledge the
students have been able to acquire, and this includes practical surgery, but in the
year and odd four months during which the lectures are held (for a two years'
course is not two years of study owing to holidays, &c.) the staff has done its
utmost to instruct the students. It only remains, if more practical knowledge
is to be imparted, to give more time for the purpose by extending the period
of study. This subject has been discussed so fully that it seems hardly neces-
sary to refer to it again, beyond giving in Appendix VIII a copy of the last
report I was called upon to render to Government. I should welcome a decision
one way or the other, as the delay is influencing the class of men who apply for
admission, because they are naturally anxious to know how they are likely to
stand when they have obtained their certificates.
19. The Muhammadan students have been a source of considerable disap-
pointment to me. Several of them were likely looking youths when they
joined, but they soon ceased to attend under one pretext or another, the general
excuse being that their stipends were not sufficient for them to live on.
STIPENDS.
20. Class A.—On November 27 and 28 a stipendiary examination was
held for the selection of stipend-holders in Class A. Fifteen students appeared
at the examination and all were found deserving of awards (Vide Appendix IX),
but as 2 candidates were already holder of District Board stipends and I had
already been awarded the Sheo Bux Bagla scholarship, only 12 Government
stipends were distributed, although the position of each student on the exami-
nation list was carefully recorded to his credit.
21. Class B.—Ten Government stipends of Rs. 5 per month were awarded
in Class B early in 1897-98, but as 2 students subsequently left the Institution,
only 8 stipends were paid throughout the year under report.