The fourth Prize Competition for Childrens' Literature has been announced on the lines of the third prize competition. The last date for receiving entries for this competition is 31st August, 1958.
Literary Workshops: The Ministry is continuing the scheme of organising Literary Workshops for training authors in the technique of writing for neo-literates and children.
In the year 1957-58, eight workshops-four for training authors to write for neo-literates and four for training authors to write for
15
children-were sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 11,000 each. They will be organised in the various States as under:
For Children For Neo-Literates
Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh
Punjab Bombay
Jammu & Kashmir Kerala
Orissa West Bengal
An equal number of workshops both for neo-literates and children will be held every year during the Second Five-Year Plan period.
Popular Encyclopaedia in Hindi (Gyan Sarovar): During 1957-58 the first volume of Gayan Sarovar, the popular encyclopaedia in Hindi which is proposed to be published in five volumes, was published through Maktaba Jamia, Ltd. The second edition of 10,000 copies of Gyan Sarovar--Volume I has now been brought out and is on sale. Volume II is expected to be out by the middle of 1958 and two more volumes will be completed in 1958-59.
Production of Model Books: In order to raise the level of book production in children's literature, this Ministry is producing a few model books. Some of the books produced or under production are:
(i) Baune ki Kheti.-This has already been published and is available in the market.
(ii) Bharat Ke Jahaz.-This is a book on the history of Indian shipping in Hindi under production by Toy Cart, Bombay. It is expected that the book will be available shortly.
(iii) Anokhe Janwar.-This is a book on strange animals of the world, illustrated with colour drawings. The book is in Press and is expected to be out shortly.
Popular Books on Important Subjects: The manuscript of "Story of Life" has been received and is under examination, before it is taken up for publication.
About 15 entries in a prize competition for the best "History of India" have been received. A prize of Rs. 5000 will be announced to the winning author and manuscript later published in Hindi.
Publication of Foreign Classics and Biology Series: The Ministry invited the co-operation of Indian Publishers for the publication of five books each of (i) Foreign Classics Series and (ii) Biology Series at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.00 lakhs. The printing programme will be undertaken in 1958-59.
16
Bringing Hindi Readers to Level Corresponding to English Readers in Culture Presentation and General Knowledge. -The scheme envisages the publication of 72 books on w5 selected topics of interest for High and Higher Secondary school-going-age children at an estimated cost of Rs. 3 lakhs. The printing programme will be undertaken in 1958-59
Purchase of Social Education Literature in Hindi: Under teh scheme to encourage production of Social Education Literature in Hindi the Ministry of Education has bought copies of outstanding books in this field in co-operation with State Government in a sharing scheme whereby the State Governments bear 50 per cent of the cost of these books, while the balance plus the cost of During 1957-58 Social Education Literature costing about Rs. 1.2 lakhs was brought for distribution to educational centres and libraries etc. under the 50:50 sharing scheme in co-operation with State Governments.
Preparation of Eight-graded Books for Neo-literates: A scheme costing Rs. 1.546 lakhs submitted by the Hindustan Culture Society, Allahabad, for producing eight-graded books for neo-literates has been approved by the Government of India and a sum of Rs. 25,000 has been sanctioned as the first instalment towards this project. The remaining six books will be brought out during 1958-59
Production of literature for Social Education Workers : In order to provide suitable literature to support and guide Social Education workers professionally, the Ministry has announced a prize scheme under which manuscripts on five selected topics have been invited. Five prizes of Rs. 250 each will be awarded shortly for the best manuscripts.
The Ministry has also planned out monographs on five subject, viz., `Democratic Group Discussion', `Mass Education in China', `Psychology of the Adult', `How to build a Good Library for a Village' and `Eradication of Illiteracy'. These monographs will be brought out by the Idara Talim-o-Taraqqi, Jamia, Delhi.
A similar prize scheme and preparation of monographs on different subjects will be taken up during 1958-59
National Book Trust: The Trust was inuagurated on 1st of August, 1957. Its function is to encourage production of good literature at low costs. Under the Chairmanship of Shri C. D. Deshmukh, the Trustees have had several meetings to discuss its activities and have tentatively drawn up its publications programmes. Against the existing provision of Rs. 2 lakhs in the budget for 1957-59 a sum of Rs. 5 has been proposes for 1958-59
17
Educational Survey of India: The object of the Educational Survey that is being carried out in collaboration with the State Governments, is to identify and enumerate every habitation and to map out and delimit the areas served by existing schools as also those that would be served by new schools at the Primary, Middle and High school stages by their appropriate location and suitable grouping of habitations.
On their return from the Central Seminar-cum-Pilot Survey held in January-February, 1957, the State Special Officers, after training the district staff in a State Seminar in the survey technique, started collecting the data through their district staff. The field work has already been completed in many districts and in other places where the survey work was begun late, it is expected to be completed before the 31st of March, 1958. Consequently the compilation of the State and the all-India Reports and other ancillary work are likely to be done in the next financial year and are to be completed by the end of June, 1958.
Of the total provision of Rs. 15 lakhs in the Plan for this scheme, a provision of Rs. 13.5 lakhs existed in the Budget for the year 1957-58 (Demand No. 21). Of this, a sum of Rs. 3,62,722 has already been sanctioned up to the end of December, 1957 and this represents the first instalment of 50 per cent. of Central assistance at the rate of 66-2/3 per cent of the estimated expenditure indicated by some of the State Governments. The first instalment for the remaining States will be sanctioned as soon as the proposals are received and the second instalment is expected to be released shortly on hearing from the State Governments regarding actual expenditure during the first six months and their revised estimates for the remaining half of the year.
As part of the survey work will be carried out during the first three months of the next financial year and the States will also incur some expenditure during those months a provision of Rs. 1.5 lakhs has been proposed for inclusion in the budget for 1958-59.
AUDIO-VISUAL EDUCATION Central Film Library.-A sum of Rs. 69,000 was provided for 1957- 58 for the purchase of films, filmstrips, film equipment and other audio-visual aids. During the period under review 600 films and 40 filmstrips and some equipment were added to the Central Film Library. The Preview Committee held 30 meetings and 149 films and 142 dia-maps and slides were previewed. The Library enrolled 136 members bringing the total to 1126. Four quarterly lists of films were prepared and distributed to all members of the Central Film Library. 7764 films and 20 filmstrips were issued to member-institutions.
18
During this period, reprints of an article "How to Make ClassRoom Diorama" by B. Hughes were distributed to members of the Central Film Library and also to State Governments to acquaint teachers with the latest development in audio-visual education. Similarly, copies of a pamphlet entitled "Printing by Silk Screen" have been made available to the Directors of Public Instruction and Development Commissioners in States.
Three outstanding films "Children of Hiroshima", "Beneath the Seven Seas", and "Hello Elephant" have been acquired for the audience engaged in the promotion of film appreciation and also for the Research and Reference Section of the Central Film Library.
Mobile Cinema Unit.-A sum of Rs. 4,000 was provided for the maintenance of Mobile Cinema Unit. This year the Unit confined its activities to conducting film shows in educational institutions only, keeping in view the main aim and object of the Unit to demonstrate the proper use of audio-visual aids for classroom teaching. During the period, the Unit have organized 300 film shows and 45 preview- meetings. The Unit have also undertaken a project of assessing and evaluating the usefulness of films in education. This experiment will be conducted in half a dozen selected High/Higher Secondary schools in Delhi.
Travelling Library of Visual Aids.-The Unesco Travelling Library on Audio-Visual Education, received by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research in December, 1956, was loaned to the Social Education Organisers' Training Centres at Nilokheri, Allahabad, Calcutta and Sriniketan besides Delhi. It is at present at Ranchi. At all these Centres, the trainees derived benefit from the Travelling Library.
Building of Audio-Visual Wing.-The finishing touches are being given to the Audio-Visual Wing building. The National Institute for Audio-Visual Education that is expected to start functioning during 1958 will be located there.
According to revised estimates, the cost of construction of the building has risen from Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 7,06,800.
Production of Gramophone Records.-At the request of this Ministry, the Director-General, All India Radio, has set up an Advisory Committee consisting of six members to advise and recommend to the Government of India the production of gramophone records for use in Secondary schools.
Mobile Cinema Vans under the Colombo Plan.-The four mobile cinema vans which the Government of India were to receive from Australia under the Colombo Plan are expected to be shipped to us during 1958- 59.
19
National Institute for Audio-Visual Education.-Under the stress of national economy, the total provision for the establishment of the National Institute was reduced from Rs. 75 lakhs to Rs. 50 lakhs. Necessary steps are being taken to approach the Ministry of Finance for sanctioning various posts required for the Institute-
Technical Co-operative Mission are recruiting three Audio-Visual U.S. Experts in consultation with this Ministry. A list of equipment that is being acquired for the Institute with the list of film/filmstrips has been approved and passed on to Technical Co- operative Mission.
During the year a sum of Rs. 50,000 was provided for the project.
Production of the Educational Films.-During the year under report, the following films have been completed: (i) Jamia Millia; (ii) The Climate of India.
The following films have been included under the Production Programme of Educational Films for 1957-58; (1) Institute of Tech- nology, Kharagpur; (ii) Birds of India; (iii) Quiz films; (iv) The Teaching of Elementary Mathematics.
Development Schemes of Audio-Visual Education.-A sum of Rs. 1.5 lakhs was provided for the implementation of the following Central Audio-Visual Schemes during the year 1957-58:-
(a) Publication of an Audio-Visual Education Journal.- Significant event in the field of development of audio- visual education during the year is the publication of "Audio-Visual Education Journal". This was one of the recommendations of the National Board for AudioVisual Education, made at the second meeting held in 1955. The first issue of the Journal was out in April, 1957 and so far four issues have been published. A sum of Rs. 10,400 was provided for this purpose. The purpose of this journal is to foster interest in the use of audio- visual techniques in education. The journal also serves as a forum for teachers and social education workers. "Audio-Visual Education" is the only Journal in India exclusively devoted to audio-visual aids in Education.
(b) Audio-Visual Convention.-A two-day regional Audio- Visual Convention of the Members of the Central Film Library was organized by Audio-Visual Unit of the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research on August 3 and 4, 1957, at New Delhi. The Convention was attended by 33. teacher-delegates and many observers. The Delhi Convention, the first of its kind
20
organised in India, was only a pilot experiment. It has, been responsible for the formation of an Audio- Visual Society in Delhi and for mooting the idea of organising similar conventions in other States. An Audio-Visual Exhibition was organised on the occasion and remained open from 3rd to 7th August, 1957.
(c) Exchange of films.-Films acquired from the following countries were previewed with a view to considering the possibility of acquiring them on the basis of exchange of negatives:-
1. Malaya.
2. Indonesia.
3. Czechoslovakia.
4. Canada.
Films already acquired from the National Film Board of Canada under this project are being dubbed in Hindi at the Films Division, Bombay. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have been requested to draw up estimates for the projects. A sum of Rs. 25,000 was provided for this during the present financial year.
Production of Filmstrip Projectors.-The Ordnance Factory, Dehra Dun have designed and completed a 35 mm filmstrip projector for use in schools/institutions in pursuance of the recommendations of the National Board for Audio-Visual Education and it will now be finally previewed in the Ministry and its manufacture on a mass scale will be considered.
Unit for the Production of Visual Aids.-During this period, 10,000 copies of each of the two charts entitled, "Four R's of Audio- Visual Programme" and "Seven Ingredients of a Good Lesson" were prepared. A folder entitled "Care of 16mm Films", has been produced and distributed among the members of the Central Film Library.
Translation of Teaching Notes.-In implementation of the re- commendations of the second meeting of the National Board for Audio- Visual Education in India, the work of translating teaching notes into Hindi has been taken up during the year. Different foreign producers of filmstrips were approached for permission to translate their teaching notes of the filmstrips into Hindi. So far permission from five producers has been acquired and the teaching notes of eight filmstrips have been translated.
21
Assistance to State Governments and Union Territories for Development of Audio-Visual Education.-A sum of Rs. 5.78 lakhs is estimated to be paid to State Governments and Union Territories as Central assistance for the implementation of the following schemes during 1957-58:-
1. Establishment of Audio-Visual Sections and Audio- Visual Libraries in the States and Union Territories.
2. Organising the Training Courses in Audio-Visual Education.
3. Establishment of the Audio-Visual Boards.
4. Supply of Film Equipment and Radio Sets to Educational Institutions.
5. Introduction of Audio-Visual Education in Teachers' Training Institutions.
6. Setting up of Mobile Audio-Visual Units.
Implementation of various schemes for the development of Audio- Visual education at the Centre and at State levels will continue during 1958-59.
SECONDARY EDUCATION Reconstruction of Secondary Education.-From the current financial year, it has been decided to grant Central assistance for a scheme, 'Improvement of Salary Scales of Secondary School Teachers'. Central assistance during 1957-58 for schemes concerning Multipurpose Schools, Higher Secondary Schools is at 60 per cent. of the total cost, and for other schemes at 50 per cent. of the total cost. An amount of Rs. 1.91 crores has been sanctioned to State Governments up to the end of September, 1957 for their schemes on Secondary Education.
During the First Plan period, about 367 schools were converted into Multipurpose Schools. During the Second Plan period, it is proposed to raise this figure to 1,187. Two hundred and eight schools have been converted into Multipurpose Schools and 109 schools into Higher Secondary schools during 1956-57.
A provision of Rs. 7 crores has been proposed as Central assist- ance to State Governments for schemes relating to the reconstruction of Secondary education during 1958-59.
Introduction of Agricultural and Science Courses.-The scheme provides for the introduction of 100 Agricultural and 38 Science Courses in Rural Secondary schools. As there has been a cut of 50 per cent. in the Plan provision for the scheme (from Rs. 1 crore to half crore) only proposals for 80 Agricultural Courses and ten
22
Science Courses have been approved. Grants totalling Rs. 9.3 lakhs have been sanctioned to various State Governments for starting these courses. A sum of Rs. 10 lakhs was provided for this scheme during 1957-58.
A budget provision of Rs. 15 lakhs has been proposed for this Scheme for 1958-59.
Research in Problems connected with Secondary Education.-A sum of Rs. 2 lakhs was provided for this scheme for the year 1957-58. Out of this, so far Rs. 1,02,352 have been sanctioned to help various institutions in research schemes. The number of institutions that have been helped is 22 and the number of projects initiated is 28 during the current year.
These 28 projects are being carried out in various Training Colleges and University Departments of Education. Assistance will be continued in 1958-59 for such schemes as are not completed by the end of the present financial year as well as for any new scheme that may be approved. A budget provision of Rs. 2 lakhs has been proposed for this scheme for 1958-59.