SECONDARY EDUCATION
Scheme for Reconstruction of Secondary Education A provision of Rs. 2.75 crores exists in the current year's budget under the scheme for reconstruction of Secondary education, which includes, amongst other items, the conversion of selected High Schools into Higher Secondary Schools and Multipurpose Schools. Out of this a sum of Rs. 1.80 crores. has already been sanctioned in favour of State Governments as first instalment.
Budget provision for this Scheme for the next year has been included in the lump amount of Rs. 3.40 crores provided for Schemes of Secondary Education. (Demand No. 19).
Budget Provision for other Schemes A provision of Rs. 39,00,000 was made under Scheme 4 including Sub-scheme No. 4(b). Improvement of Selected Secondary Schools. (Demand No. 19.)
Expenditure under Scheme 2(a)-Research Projects in Secondary Education, Scheme No. 12 Establishment of Vocational and Educational Guidance Bureau and in respect of the Central Bureau of Textbook Research exists in the current year's Budget and is debitable to the provision of Rs. 1.27 crores made for Miscellaneous schemes under that Five-Year Plan for Educational Development Demand. A provision of Rs. 9 lakhs is desired to be made for all these schemes for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19.)
IMPROVEMENT OF SECONDARY EDUCATION The Government of India have undertaken the following projects during the current year for the improvement of Secondary education. The Ford Foundation have placed the following funds at the disposal of the Government of India:-
1. All-India Council for Secondary Education $ 75,000
2. Seminars.... $ 60,000
3. Workshops... $ 28,300
4. Extension Services.... $ 167,000
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All-India Council for Secondary Education The Government of India have set up the All-India Council for Secondary Education vide their resolution No. F. 18-2/55-D.1, dated 1st August, 1955, to review the progress of Secondary education throughout the country and to serve as an expert body, to advise the State and Central Governments about the improvement and expansion of Secondary education in all its phases, to assist the Government in the implementation of the approved programmes and to encourage research in problems relating to Secondary education. The Ford Foundation has agreed to provide a sum of $ 2,25,000 spread over a period of five years and has already placed at the disposal of the Government of India, a sum of $ 75,000 (approximately Rs. 3,56,250) for the current year for the project. Out of this amount Rs. 1,83,000 has been sanctioned for the current year as the Council was set up only in August, 1955. The Council held its first meeting in October, 1955 and the second meeting in January, 1956.
It has been decided that henceforth the implementation of all these projects relating to improvement of Secondary education e.g., projects Nos. (2), (3) and (4) above will also be the responsibility of the Council, and the amounts equivalent to Ford Foundation allotments on each project will be transferred by this Ministry to, the Council.
Headmasters' Seminars Under the Project of Seminars, it was decided to hold ten Semi- nars of which eight would be Regional Seminars of Headmasters, Inspecting Officers etc and two Special Seminars. Out of these ten Seminars, eight have already been held and their reports are awaited. The remaining two special Seminars will be held shortly. Provision is also being made for follow-up programmes.
Educational Workshops Three workshops are being organised by the United States Edu- cation Foundation in India. Out of the funds received from the Ford Foundation, the Government of India have transferred to it an amount of Rs. 1,34,425 which is approximately equivalent to $ 28,300. One workshop of ten weeks' duration was held at Calcutta and one is being held at Bhopal. The Madanapalli workshop will begin in the first week of April, 1956.
Extension Services Projects Under the Extension Services Project, the Government of India have 'Selected 24 Training colleges for implementing the Project.
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Out of the total grant of $ 500,000 for three years, the Ford Founda- tion has already transferred $ 167,000 to the Government of India for this year. Each of these 24 colleges will have an Extension Services Department with staff adequate for the type of services it undertakes. The Principal of the College will act as honorary Director of the Scheme. An initial grant representing about 1/12th of the approved budget for three years of the various colleges has been paid to all the institutions. Some of the colleges that had already started work have been paid two more instalments.
The U. S. Technical Cooperation Mission also has allotted approximately Rs. 49,43,000 towards the supply of equipment and four experts for these Training colleges under this Project for the year 1956-57 and Rs. 7,88,000 for four experts only for the year 1957-58.
As regards proposals for the next year, all of the current year projects mentioned above are proposed 'to be continued. The funds needed are expected from the Ford Foundation for the next year also. In anticipation of these funds, an amount of Rs. 26 lakhs has been provided for the next year's budget for these projects.
AGE OF RETIREMENT OF DISPLACED TEACHERS In supersession of all previous orders on this subject, the Gov- ernment of India, after careful consideration, have decided that:-
(a) Displaced persons employed in Government schools may be allowed on compassionate grounds, to continue in service till the age of 60, on a year-to-year basis, after examining each case on merits;
(b) On the same basis, displaced teachers in privately managed recognised schools may be retained in service up to 60 years of age.
This decision is subject to modification as soon as the situation improves.
Lawrence School, Sanawar and Lovedale Out of the total provision of Rs. 6,20,000 during the year, the Lawrence Schools at Sanawar and Lovedale have been paid grants to the extent of Rs. 3,94,500.
A provision of Rs. 5,05,000 has been made for the year 1956-57. (Demand No. 19).
Direct Grants to Public Schools During the current year, the following grants have so far been paid to Public Schools, out of a provision of Rs. 2,00,000.
(1) Birla Vidya Mandir, Nainital RS. 25,000
(2) Doon School, Dehra Dun Rs. 25,000
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(3) M.G.D. Girls Public School, Jaipur Rs. 10,000
(4) Daly College, Indore Rs. 15,000
A provision of Rs. 2,00,000 has been made for the year 1956-57.
(Demand No. 19).
Inspection of Public Schools During the current year, five Public schools were inspected by the Inspection Committees appointed by the Government of India. A provision of Rs. 4,000 exists to meet expenditure on these inspections during 1955-56. The same provision has been made for the year 1956- 57. (Demand No. 19).
N.C.C. in Public Schools Sanction for an expenditure of Rs. 76,000 has been made to hold annual camps of the Junior Division Units in Public schools during the current year.
A provision of Rs. 76,000 has been made for the year 1956-57.
(Demand No. 19).
Andaman Education Committee The Government of India appointed a Committee of educational experts to study the existing educational system in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and to recommend plans for the improvement and reorganisation of education in those Islands. The recommendations of the Committee include proposals for large-scale expansion of Primary education, the opening of a Higher Secondary Multipurpose school for boys, a Senior Basic school for girls, Vocational education and Social education. (Demand No. 56).
Grants to Educational and Cultural Organisations During the current year, grants have been paid to the following institutions, as shown against each:-
Banasthali Vidyapith Rs. 25,000
Dr. Graham's Homes, Kalimpong. Rs. 9,000
Inter-State Board for Anglo-Indian Education Rs. 4,282
(Demand No. 19).