15.6. Extension Centres.-Owing to emergency, no new centre could be set up during the year. In 1964-65, however, it is proposed to establish 10 centres and 25 units.
16. Department of Psychological Foundations 16.1. The nucleus of the Department already existed in the form of the Central Bureau of Educational and Vocational Guidance and the Psychology Wing of the Central Institute of Education. Later a Child Study Unit and a Psychometric Unit were set up. All these four units have been combined to form the present Department of Psychological Foundations.
16.2. Research.-In the field of educational and vocational guidance the bibliographical research on the gifted child had been completed. The research projects on which work has been continued, include : (i) a Study of the Self-Concept of Bright Under-achievers; (ii) a Study of Class VIII Annual Examination Marks as a Predictor of Success in higher Secondary Classes; (iii) Adaptation of the Brown- Holtzman Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes; and (iv) a Study of Teachers' Needs in the National Emergency. Work was initiated on a number of other projects. A pilot study for preparing developmental norms for Indian pre-schoolers was conducted in 10 nursery schools of Delhi. The study was confined to the development of the motor behaviour, adaptive behaviour and personal social behaviour. Encouraged by the experience of this study it has been decided to extend it to 7 centres, namely, at Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Bombay, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Madras and Delhi. Both rural and urban areas will be sampled.
16.3. In the field of psychology, the work continued on : (i) Studies of Personality Adjustment, learning and Academic Achievements; (ii) Study of Socio-Economic Background related to Academic Achievement in Higher Secondary School Examination; and (ii) Reading in Primary Schools.
16.4. Training.-The fourth diploma course in Educational and Vocational Guidance concluded in May, 1963; all the 20 trainees passed the examination. The fifth course commenced in August, 1963. A nine- month training course in Research Metholodogy in Education was started in March, 1963 and concluded in December, 1963. Research reports on different topics of educational interest constituted the essential requirements for the successful completion of this course. A similar course will be offered in 1964-65 also. In addition, in-service training in statistics and research methodology including refresher courses will be conducted from time to time. The first diploma course in Early Childhood Education commenced in August, 1963 with 14 students. The course aims at training teacher-educators for pre- school education.
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16.5. Seminars.-The Central Bureau of Educational and Vocational Guidance organised two seminars, namely, a national seminar on `Teaching of Guidance in training colleges' in October, 1963 at Udaipur to discuss the objectives, syllabi and materials for the B.Ed. and M.Ed. courses in guidance, and on `Modern Viewpoints in the Use of Tests in Guidance' at Delhi in January, 1964 to acquaint counsellors with recent trends in the use of tests in guidance.
16.6. The Psychometric Unit organised a workshop of primary and secondary school teachers in December, 1963 for a conceptual analysis of mathematics curriculum. A seminar to determine the instructional goals in mathematics at various levels of school education was also organised in January, 1964. A workshop on practical activities for nursery school teachers was organised in December, 1963.
16.7. Other Activities.-The Central Bureau of Educational and Vocational Guidance continued to offer occupational information service and counselling to individuals and groups. A six-day orientation course in guidance on behalf of the Extension Services Department, Vidya Bhawan Training College, Udaipur, an orientation seminar in guidance for heads of schools, and a career masters' training course on behalf of the Extension Services Department of the Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur were also organised.
16.8. The Psychometric Unit provided advisory services to the various departments of the National Institute of Education in working out research designs and statistical analysis, to the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in their programme of examination improvement, and to other research workers in the field of educational and psychological measurement.
16.9. A number of panel discussions were arranged on various subjects of educational research, e.g., Ethical Issues in Research, Educational Research in the U.K., the U.S.A. and Australia, and Achievement Motivation.
17. Department of Science Education 17.1. General Science Textbooks.-The syllabus for classes I to VIII of general science has been printed. It is based on unit system and the content matter has been spelt out in the form of major and minor concepts which the teacher has to develop in his teaching. The syllabus is being widely used as a source material in workshops and seminars. A handbook on the syllabus for classes VI to VIII has also been prepared and is under print. The general science textbooks for classes I to VIII prepared for the Punjab schools are in use. A workshop was held to evaluate these textbooks with the cooperation of teachers who have been using the books.
17.2. Supplementary Readers.-It is proposed to bring out two sets of supplementary readers which are intended to stimulate the interest of students in the higher secondary schools in scientific aspects and to give a deeper knowledge in a particular aspect. One manuscript under the second series on `Birds' is under print.
17.3. Summer Institutes.-In association with the University Grants Commission and the United States Agency for International Development,
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four summer institutes, one each in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, were held in Delhi, Patna, Madras and Delhi respectively in May and June, 1963. Forty secondary science teachers participated in each of these institutes. The programme is designed to introduce the secondary school teachers to the new approach in teaching science, with emphasis on understanding the essential nature of scientific principles and processes.
17.4. Summer Courses.-Two one-month summer courses for general science teachers were held in May and June, 1963 at Hyderabad and Debra Dun to give content knowledge and laboratory experiences in areas of deficiency to 100 participating teachers. Six such courses are proposed to be organised during 1964-65.
17.5. Science Talent Search.-The pilot project on science talent search was conducted in Delhi. Ten students were selected for the award of scholarship and seven more for certificate of merit. The students are being assisted financially with scholarships to pursue their studies in basic science at the university stage. It has been decided to extend the scheme to the entire country with effect from 1964-65. Under the expanded scheme, 350 scholarships will be awarded.
17.6. Science Clubs.-During the year assistance was given to 70 secondary schools to establish science clubs. This brings the total number of science clubs in secondary schools to 651. Fifteen new Central Science Clubs were started in secondary training colleges bringing the total number of such clubs to 45, Fifty-four science fairs were held in different secondary extension centres.
17.7. Central Science Workshop.-With the assistance of Unesco a Central Science Workshop is being developed as a part of the Department. The workshop will develop suitable prototypes of simple apparatus, design experiments and relative apparatus for improved work in school laboratories and devise tools for school workshops.
17.8. Publications.-In addition to the publications listed in Annexure VI, the Department continued to publish `School Science', a quarterly journal for schools.
18. National Institute of Audio-Visual Education 18.1. Training.-During the year, the Institute organised : (i) a five-week training course in `audio-visual methods in- teaching' for naval officers (February-March, 1963); (ii) fifth short-term training course in audiovisual education (May-July, 1963); (iii) a training course in `puppetry and creative drama in education' (November-December, 1963); (iv) a technical training course of three months' duration in the operation, repair and maintenance of audio- visual equipment (beginning on 15th January, 1964); and (v) a number of orientation courses of short duration for different institutions and organisations. During 1964-65, it is proposed to prepare a standard syllabus for training in audio-visual education for teachers training colleges.
18.2. Production.-The Institute finalised the prototypes of six portraits of eminent scientists, nine study kits entitled, `Our India' and a number of study packages on cotton, cement, jute, `Our Forests', multipurpose projects, etc. A working model of a lift and a mathematical model were also
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finalised. The films on the Seventh Inter-University Youth Festival, Malkhamb and National Discipline Scheme were completed. Filmstrips produced during the year, include Delhi Monuments, Hazards of Smoking and Drinking, Musical Instrument of India and Recreational Mathematics. A slide book on `Kulu, the Valley of Gods' was also produced.
18.3. Research and Evaluation.-The survey project on the `Use of Closed Circuit Television for Medical Training' was finalised. Basic outlines for a survey of the classroom furniture in Delhi schools were completed and pilot projects were undertaken for the systematic use of films/ filmstrips and other audio-visual aids.
18.4. Other Activities.-The 6th meeting of the National Board of Audio-Visual Education was held in December, 1963. It is proposed to set up an independent unit in the Institute for the production of instructional films and also for purpose of teaching film-production techniques.
18.5. Publications.-During 1964-65 it is proposed to complete a manual on audio-visual equipment which will serve as a textbook at the Institute and training colleges.
19. National Institute of Basic Education 19.1. Research.-The following studies were completed during this year; (i) Check-List-cum-Rating Scale for the Assessment of Basic Schools; (ii) a pilot study on Unit Cost of Starting a Basic School; (iii) an Evaluative Study of the Orientation Programme at School- Level; and (iv) an Evaluative Study of Correlated Lesson Plans. The studies in progress include: (i) Development of Basic Education since 1937-A Historical Study; (ii) a study of Elementary School Teacher; (iii) an Intensive Study of Selected Elementary Teachers' Training Institutions; and (iv) Review of Researches on the Teaching of Arithmetic in Primary Classes. A number of projects in arts and crafts are also in progress.
19.2. Extension Services.-The extension centres established in 30 training institutions for primary teachers continued to function satisfactorily. It is proposed to establish another 15 centres during 1964-65. A `Handbook of Suggestions' incorporating the report and findings of the training course for honorary directors and coordinators of extension centres organised in January, 1963, was prepared and distributed to the Centres. Another training course for the staff of the extension centres is proposed to be organised in May, 1964.
19.3. Other Activities.-A project on the identification of bright children of the age-group 5-6 in primary schools with the aim of discovering the physical, intellectual, emotional and social characteristics of bright children in India, is proposed to be undertaken through the agency of two selected extension centres and 100 participating schools.
20. National Fundamental Education Centre 20.1. Research.-The projects completed during the year include; (i) Evaluation of Janata College, Alipur, Delhi State; (ii) Health Habits of People in Sukhrali Village, Gurgaon Block, Punjab; (iii) a Study of Syllabi of Social Education in Post-Graduate Teachers' Training Colleges in India; and (iv) Researches and Studies in Adult (Social) Education; A Selected Bibliography, 1947-63. A number of other projects concerning various problems of adult education were in progress.
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20.2. Training : During the period, the first training course in Educational Methods for 15 education officers under the Central Board of Workers' Education, Ministry of Labour and Employment, was organised in November-December, 1963. Six training courses for adult and literacy instructors of the Indo-Tibetan Border Force sponsored by the Ministry of Home Affairs were organised during the, period and 125 instructors were trained in these courses. Training being an essential function of the Centre, similar training courses will be conducted during 1964-65 also.
20.3. Seminars.-A seminar on Research and Publications in Social Education was organised at the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, in September, 1963, with a view to bringing together to a common platform officers in charge of social education at the State level as well as representatives of institutions engaged in active social education work, especially in research and/or publication.
20.4. Other Activities.-As parts of the Literacy Unit, two sections on `Adult Literacy' and `Literature for Neo-literates' were set up in the Centre's Library. The Programme Advisory Committee of the Centre held its first meeting in September, 1963 and approved a broad outline of the programme of the Centre for the next three years.