On the 7th of March, 1835, Lord William Bentinck decided that "the great object of the British Government ought to be the promotion of European literature and science among the natives of India;" two of the Orientalists retired from the Committee of Public Instruction; several new members, both English and native, were appointed; and Macaulay entered upon the functions of President with an energy and assiduity which in his case was an infallible proof that his work was to his mind.
The post was no sinecure.

It was an arduous task to plan, found, and construct, in all its grades, the education of such a country as India.

The means at Macaulay's disposal were utterly inadequate for the undertaking on which he was engaged.

Nothing resembling an organised staff was as yet in existence.

There were no Inspectors of Schools.
There were no training colleges for masters.