SECONDARY EDUCATION
Reconstruction of Secondary Education.-Against the original budget provision of Rs. 3.95 crores for 1958-59 for granting Central assistance to the State Governments towards the implementation of various programmes for the reconstruction of Secondary education revised estimates for 1958-59 are Rs. 3.33 crores. Out of this, the Ministry of Finance has been releasing equal monthly "ways and means advances" to the State Governments amounting to three-fourths of the Central assistance. The final sanction is to be issued in February, 1959. An amount of Rs. 4 crores has been proposed in the budget for 1959-60.
Up to the end of March, 1958, the total number of Multipurpose schools set up in the country was 1,143 against the target of 1,187 by the end of the Second Plan period, while the number of schools of Higher Secondary type set up under this scheme by March, 1958 was 340.
All-India Council for secondary Education During 1958 the following activities of the Council in the field of Secondary education were continued :
Opening and Continuance of Extension Services Departments in the Training Colleges.-These Departments provide opportunity for the inservice training of Secondary school teachers and keep them abreast of recent developments in educational theory and practice. The number of such Departments was 52 in 1957-58 and one more Extension Services Department has been opened in 1958-59.
Seminars of Headmasters and Subject-teachers, all-India Seminars and followup work.-These seminars bring together groups of persons responsible for the supervision of Secondary schools in various States, to discuss problems regarding new goals in Secondary education, etc. During the year under report eight seminars of Headmasters and Education officers, three followup workshops, sixteen seminars of, subject-teachers and four seminar-cum-training courses were held.
Examination Reform.-In February 1958, ten Evaluation officers were sent to the U.S.A. to receive training under the guidance of Dr. B. S. Bloom of Chicago University. In August 1958, a full Examination Unit consisting of 14 Evaluation officers was set up. In September 1958, a Conference of Secretaries of Boards of Secondary Education was convened to consider a programme of
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examination reform drawn up by the Council. The recommendations of the Conference were communicated to the States. The Unit conducted a number of workshops for Secondary teachers to acquaint them with the new procedures in the field of evaluation.
Strengthening of Science Teaching.-The Council has been encouraging the organisation of Science clubs to strengthen Science teaching in Secondary schools. Up to the end of 1957-58 more than 130 Science clubs were established with assistance from the Council. The target for 1958-59 is an addition of 200 more such clubs and the States were requested to recommend about two per cent of their Secondary schools for this purpose.
Experimentation in Schools.-During 1958-59 nine schools were approved for the grant of financial assistance. The assistance is to help these schools to conduct experiments in classroom instruction or school organisation with a view to improving it. The Council has brought out a brochure on "Experimental Projects in Secondary Schools" giving full information about the scheme.
The All-India Council for Secondary Education has been hitherto working as an autonomous body. It is now proposed to convert it into a Directorate attached to the Ministry. The proposal is likely to be implemented during 1958-59.
Against a budget provision of Rs. 39,80,900 for the Council for 1958-59, a provision of Rs. 27,95,000 has been proposed for 1959-60.
Assistance to Voluntary Educational Organisations working in the field of Secondary Education.-Under the scheme financial assistance is given to recognised voluntary educational organisations to improve and/or expand their activities in the following fields-
1. High and Higher Secondary education.
2. Training of teachers.
3. Vocational and Educational Guidance.
4. Research in Training schools and Training colleges
A sum of Rs. 12,84,307 has so far been sanctioned during the period, January 1958 to December 1958 to various educational institutions for the development of education at Secondary stage. The budget provision for 1958-59 is Rs. 14.10 lakhs out of which a sum of Rs. 9,02,505 was utilised towards making grants to the institutions. During January-March, 1959 a further amount of Rs. 2 lakhs is expected to be utilised.
A provision of Rs. 16 lakhs has been made for the scheme in the budget for 1959-60.
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Loans for the Construction of Hostels.-Under the Second Five-Year Plan interest-free loans were proposed to be sanctioned to educational organisations for the construction of hostels. A sum of Rs. 2,02,454 was sanctioned to various institutions in the month of March 1958.
The scheme has since been revised. Under the revised scheme interest-bearing loans will be sanctioned to State Governments and not direct to the institutions. The State Governments were asked to forward fresh applications in accordance with the procedure detailed under the revised scheme.
Promotion of Research in Problems connected with Secondary Education.-This Scheme was continued during 1958-59 and grants were given to Teachers' Training colleges and Departments of Education in the universities. A provision of Rs. 1,64,500 exists in the budget for 1958-59 for such grants.
Eighteen new projects were taken up during the year and are under consideration. Five old projects were completed.
A seminar was held at Srinagar from 17th to 20th May, 1958, to coordinate research among different institutions and to consider the report of the work done by them.
The following institutions were assisted during the period under report for the projects as given below :
Institution Research Project Grant
Sanctioned
during
1958-59
Rs.
1. Central Institute of Education, 1. Reading for Pleasure 10,705
Delhi
2. Indian Institute of Education, 2. Wastage in Secondary Education
Bombay in Bombay and the neighbouring
districts of Thana, Kolaba and
Ratnagiri 4,950
3. St. Xaviers' Institute of Educa- 3. Preparation of Achievement Tests
tion, Bombay, University of for standard VII and the Interest
Bombay Inventory in Marathi. 3,604
4. M.S. University of Baroda 4.Educational and Vocational Gui-
dance
5. Construction and Standardisation 23,671
of Achievement Tests .
5. Gujarat Research Society, 6.Construction and Standardisation
Bombay of Achievement Tests for Children
in Secondary Schools-Class V to
VII 16,100
6. University of Madras 7.Standardisation of Intelligence
Tests 5,169
7. Sri Ramakrishna Mission 8. A Study of the Socio-economic
Vidyalaya Teachers' College, Conditions of High School Students
Coimbatore in Coimbatore District 3,375
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Grant
Institution Research Project Sanction-
ed during
1958-59
Rs.
8. Thiagarajar College of Precep- 9. An Enquiry into the teaching of
tors, Madurai Social Studies in the Schools of
Madurai and allied Problems. 3,824
9. Radhanath Training College, 10. Teaching of Science Scientifically 2,400
Cuttack
10. Dev Samaj College for Women, 11. The utility of the School Broadcast
Ferozepore and the Ways and Means to make
it more effective 5,132
11. University of Lucknow 12. A Critical Evaluation of the Second-
ary Teacher Training Programme in
India 4,800
12. D.A.V. College, Dehra Dun 13. An Investigation into the causes
of Truancy in Indian Schools 2,654
13. Meerut College, Meerut 14. Construction and Standardisation
of Achievement Tests in General
Science for Classes VI, VII and
VIII 3,123
14. B.R. College of Education, Agra 15. Construction of Achievement Tests
in English and Mathematics 2,000
15. Muslim University, Aligarh 16.Study of Interest-patterns of Teachers
under Training at the Muslim Uni-
versity, Aligarh vis-a-vis the Interest-
patterns of Trainees in other Profes-
sions 5,510
16. Tilak Dhari Training College, 17. Common Errors in Written English
Jaunpur their Prevention and Cure 5,200
17. University of Allahabad 18.A Survey of the Load of Work of
Secondary School Teachers 5,378
19. Causes of Failures in High School
Examinations 5,679
18. D.S. College, Aligarh 20. Standardisation of Interest Inven-
tory in Hindi 3,299
19. Mahila Vidyalaya Training 21. A Study of the Causes of Educa-
College, Lucknow tional Fall-off in Classes VI to XII 2,700
20. University of Gorakhpur 22. A Sample Survey if Mental Ability
in Urban and Rural Secondary
Schools of Eastern U.P. 2,150
21. Vinaya Bhavan, Visva-Bharati, 23. Preparation of Standardised Attain-
Santiniketan ment Tests in different School
Subjects 3,002
22. David Hare Training College, 24. A Comparative Study of 'Trained'
Calcutta versus 'Untrained' Teachers in
respect of Teaching Efficiency 2,800
23. Indian Institute of Technology, 25. The Effectiveness of the Board and
Kharagpur University Examinations in India
and Suggestions for their Improve-
ment 25,587
24. Institute of Education for 26. Attitude towards Teaching 4,600
Women, Calcutta
A provision of Rs. 1,80,000 has been made in the budget for 1959- 60 for continuing grants for the research projects that will be in progress and assisting any new projects.
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Introduction of Agricultural Courses in Rural Secondary Schools.- Unfortunately the scheme did not work satisfactorily. Out of a sum of Rs. 9.3 lakhs sanctioned to the State Governments during 1957-58, only West Bengal spent its as well as the Centre's share. During 1958-59 it is proposed to sanction grant to West Bengal Government only and our revised estimates for the current year are Rs. 4.6 lakhs. The Scheme is proposed to be discontinued from 1959-60.
New York Herald Tribune Forum for High Schools.-On an invitation from the sponsors of the Forum, Kumari Nalini Nair, a student of the pre-University class from Trivandrum, was selected through a competition organized with the help of State Governments and universities. The Forum is scheduled to be held at New York in January-March, 1959. Kumari Nair left Bombay for New York on 27th December, 1958.
A provision of, Rs. 500 has been made to meet the expenses in connection with the selection of a delegate for the 1960 Forum.
Central Institute of English, Hyderabad.-To improve the standards of teaching English, provide for the study of English language and literature, organise research in the teaching of the subject, train teachers, undertake and facilitate the introduction of advanced courses and to organise conferences, seminars etc., the Central Institute of English, Hyderabad was set up from 17th November, 1958 under the supervision and control of an autonomous governing body registered under the Public Societies Act, Hyderabad.
Up to the end of December, 1958 a sum of Rs. 2,01,500 was sanctioned to the Institute. A further sum of Rs. 1 lakh is likely to, be sanctioned during January-March, 1959. A sum of Rs. 6.5 lakhs has been provided in the budget for 1959-60.
Scheme for the Promotion of Inter-State Understanding.-The details of the programme of the Scheme are being worked out. It is proposed to hold regional camps at some important cities. It is also proposed to prepare pamphlets dealing with the historical and cultural contribution made by each State.
Promotion of Gandhiji's Teachings and Way of Life.-A survey of the existing literature is being made to select a book each for the Primary, Secondary and University, levels on Gandhiji's contribution in important fields. The State Governments have been requested to direct all schools under their respective jurisdiction to celebrate the Gandhi Week every year in a suitable manner. Kumari Manuben Gandhi delivered a course of lectures in 25 selected schools of Bombay State on various aspects of Gandhiji's life.
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A programme is being arranged for the institution of lectures at universities by distinguished people conversant with various aspects of Gandhiji's life.
Against the existing provision of Rs. 10,000 for 1958-59 a sum of Rs. 15,000 has been provided in the budget for 1959-60, for the scheme.
Educational Delegations to and from India.-The provision for such delegations was previously made as part of the programme for cultural activities which are now the concern of the new Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs. From 1959-60, a separate provision of Rs. 75,000 has been made for educational delegations to and from India. Important among the delegations that may visit this country next year are the delegations of Nepalese students, teachers and students from Sikkim and Bhutan. An Indian Hockey team is proposed to be sent to Afghanistan next year.
Grants to Educational and Cultural Organizations.-Revised estimates for 1958-59 for grant-in-aid to Banasthali Vidyapith are Rs. 45,000. A provision of Rs. 35,000 has been made for 1959-60 for the purpose.
Secondary Education Journal.-The publication of the 'Secondary Education', a quarterly journal that was started in April, 1956 in pursuance of a recommendation made by the Secondary Education Com- mission was continued during the period under report. Its publication is proposed to be continued during the next year also.
Central Research Advisory Committee.-A Central Research Advisory Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Shri K. G. Saiyidain, Secretary, Ministry of Education to coordinate the activities of the various research institutions working under the Government of India, viz.,
The Central Bureau of Educational and Vocational Guidance,
The Central Bureau of Textbook Research,
The Central Institute of Education,
The National Institute of Basic Education, and
The National Fundamental Education Centre.
The Committee met twice in 1958. The first meeting was held on 15th and 16th April, 1958, while the second was held on 28th and 29th November, 1958, presided over by the Minister for Education.
The activities of the Committee are proposed to be continued next year also.
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Central Bureau of Textbook Research The work done in the Bureau during the period under report may be divided into the following different categories :-
Research Work.-Annotation of analysis sheets and tabulation and interpretation of data (in Science and History) were completed. Analysis of textbooks in different subjects continued. Under the guidance and collaboration of the Bureau, a new syllabus combining the present Basic and non-Basic syllabi into a single unified pattern in English, Hindi, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science for the Primary and Middle grades was prepared. Twenty-four try-out lessons, according to the new syllabuses in Science and Social Studies along with evaluation exercises were prepared. In cooperation with the Delhi branch of the U.N. 23 model lessons on teaching about U.N. along with exercises and suggestions to the teachers were drawn up.
Servicing.-During the period under review, suggestions and guidance on different problems relating to textbooks were given to the State Governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. Kerala, Assam. and Jammu and Kashmir, and also to the Ministry of Defence on the publication of textbooks in various subjects.
Guidance was also given to research students preparing their theses for Master's and Doctoral degrees, in Delhi, Punjab and Madras.
A two-day seminar on the use of textbooks was held.
Publications.-The Score Cards in Language and Science and the brochure on 'Textbook Selection Procedures in India' were printed and distributed. A brochure on 'Textbook Production Procedures in India' is in the press.