Wed Aug 06 00:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

**Headline: 1871 Census Reveals Stark Educational Divide in Madras Pyall Schools**

**Chennai, August 6, 2025** – A recently resurfaced report from the ‘Results of the Educational Census of Madras November 1871’ sheds light on the significant disparities in education and resources within the Madras Presidency’s *pyall* school system. The census, aimed at evaluating the state of education, uncovered a stark contrast between schools catering to wealthier families and those serving the poor.

The report details the elaborate and costly initiation ceremonies for students from privileged backgrounds. These ceremonies involved religious rituals, gifts for Brahmin teachers, and feasts for attendees, reflecting the social and religious significance of education for the upper classes. The monthly fees, although modest, were considerably higher than those in schools for the poor, with the affluent paying up to eight annas per month.

In stark contrast, *pyall* schools serving poorer communities lacked the same resources and were characterised by minimal fees, and smaller presents for teachers, who were often dependent on the charity of families. Furthermore, Muslim schools relied on presents, making teacher income dependant on student’s families wealth.

The census revealed the economic impact on teachers. Teachers in affluent areas earned ₹5 to ₹25 per month, while their counterparts in poorer localities struggled to earn ₹5 to ₹10.

The 1871 report provides a valuable glimpse into the social and economic realities of education in Madras during the British Raj, highlighting the deep-seated inequalities that shaped access to knowledge and opportunity.

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