INTRODUCTORY
1.1.0 The Ministry of Human Resource Development was created in 1985 for integrating all efforts for the development of human potential in the areas of education, culture, the youth and sports, women and children. This Report covers activities of the four Departments which constitute the Ministry and is presented in four parts:-
Part I- Department of Education
Part II- Department of Culture
Part III- Department of Youth Affairs and Sports
Part IV Department of Women and Child Development
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 1.2.1 The two most significant achievements during the year 1992- 93 were the completion of the review of National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 and its Programme of Action (POA) and the finalization of the Eighth Five Year Plan. The synchronisation of policy review and plan formulation was a happy development, as the NPE policy objectives could be reflected in the Eighth Plan. Thus the Eighth Plan outlay on Education (Centre and States) at Rs.19599.7 crore is higher than the Seventh Plan expenditure of Rs.7632.9 crore by 2.6 times. Within the plan outlay there is a marked shift - in the inter se allocation of resources for education. The outlay on elementary education increased from 33 per cent in the Sixth Plan to 37.33 per cent in the Seventh Plan to 46.95 per cent in the Eighth Plan.
1.2.2 The NPE, 1986 provided for the review of the implementation of its various parameters every five years. Accordingly, a review of NPE, 1986 was conducted during 1990-92. The review broadly endorsed the NPE, 1986 and held that NPE, 1986 continued to provide a comprehensive framework to guide the development of education for a long time to come. However, the developments during the last few years and the experience in the implementation of the Policy have necessitated certain modifications. These modifications were effected in May 1992.
1.2.3 Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE), adult education, equalisation of educational opportunities, women's education and development, vocationalisation of school education, consolidation of higher education, modernisation of technical education, improvement of quality, content and process of education at all levels continue to be the themes of national endeavour in the field of education. The focus in elementary education has now shifted from enrolment, per se, to retention and achievement. The revised Policy resolves to ensure "that free and compulsory education of satisfactory quality is provided to all children upto 14 years of age before we enter the twenty-first century. " A national mission is envisaged for the achievement of this goal, as the experience of the National Literacy Mission has proved that the mission mode is an effective strategy for achieving total literacy. The revised policy formulations also extended the scope of vocational education by including generic vocational courses.
1.2.4 Consequent on revision of the Policy, the Government also prepared a revised Programme of Action (POA) in 1992. The POA 1992 emphasises that the first and the foremost task is the reform of the management of education and calls for developing an ethos of cost- effectiveness and accountability at all levels of educational planning and administration. Efficiency should be rated not by the ability to consume budget and demand more but by performance and delivery. The POA, 1992 calls for stopping the unplanned proliferation of sub- standard institutions. The programme envisages preparation by the States of their POAs in line with this situational imperative as well as the national policy. In order to expedite operationalisation of State POAs four regional workshops were held. It is expected that State POAs would be ready shortly.
1.2.5 Inter alia, the POA emphasises the strategy for UEE which envisages adoption of disaggregated target setting and decentralised planning in the Eighth Plan. A new scheme is being launched for the improvement of primary education in educationally backward districts and in districts where the total literacy campaigns have been successful, leading to an enhanced demand for primary education. In these districts, districts-pecific and population-specific plans for achieving universalisation of elementary education are being prepared. Twenty to twenty-five districts out of about 200 educationally backward districts where female literacy is below national average, will be taken up for preparation of district plans in 1993-94. It has also suggested improvement of school facilities through revamped Operation Blackboard to be extended to upper primary stage. The Programme notes that the Total Literacy Campaign (TLC) has emerged as a viable model. It has transformed the perception of universal adult literacy from one of hopeless dream to an achievable prospect. These campaigns are areaspecific, time-bound, volunteer based, cost- effective and outcome oriented. TLCs have already been successfully completed in 30 districts spread over eight States and are going on in 182 districts either partially or wholly covering over 40 million people.
1.2.6 The POA perceives the problem of universalisation of elementary education as, in essence, the problem of the girl child and stresses the need to increase participation of girls at all stages of education, particularly in streams like science, vocational, technical and commerce education where girls are grossly under-rated. The POA stresses the need for reorienting the education system to promote the women's equality and education. It advocates need for institutional mechanism to
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ensure that gender sensitivity is reflected in the implementation of all national programmes.
1.2.7 The policy thrusts and strategies envisaged in the modified NPE and POA, 1992 have been built into the Eighth Five Year Plan. A triple track approach of primary schooling, non-formal education and adult literacy has been adopted for achievement of universal literacy. The measures adopted for achievement of the objective include giving as much importance to retention and levels of achievement as enrolment, focusing on the more difficult aspects of access, i.e., access to education of girls and disadvantaged groups, pre-service and in-service teachers' training, improving school effectiveness, provision of alternative channels of education through non-formal and distance education modes, pump-priming the deficient demand for education and enlisting the local communities in the planning and management of education and ensuring convergence of different services in the social sectors, more particularly child care, nutrition, early childhood education, primary education and health. The on going schemes have been reviewed in the light of the experience gained in their implementation as well as of NPE and POA revision. Wherever necessary new schemes have been prepared.
1.2.8 The NPE and POA lay considerable stress on value education and inculcating proper perspective about the country's cultural traditions. School textbooks are the most potent tools for transmitting values and attitudes necessary for developing a national, secular and humane outlook among the school students. The Ministry set up in June, 1991 a National Steering Committee to review school textbooks from standpoint of national integration in order to ensure that school textbooks are free from communal and anti-national influences. A conference of State Education Ministers and educationists was convened on 1st February, 1993 to consider the question of review of school textbooks from the point of national integration.
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE 1.3.1 The basic objectives of the Department of Culture relate to our efforts to arouse and strengthen Cultural resurgence in the country. The thrust of some of the schemes and programme has been on dissemination of Culture covering manifestations 'of a vast range of images of human creativity. The Department of Culture seeks to promote and to preserve the myriad features of Indian Culture in its rich diversity. The activities of the Department are attuned to a wide range of shades and meanings, shapes and identities of our culture -and cover a large spectrum ranging from archives, archaeological excavations, preservation of heritage, etc. to the performing, visual and literary arts.
1.3.2 Administration and development of large number of national libraries, museum, institutions of anthropology, archaeology, archives, academies continued during the year. The
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ASI explored a number of pre-historic and historical sites in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Assam and many other States. It also conducted excavations in a number of States and brought to light ancient structural remains, various antiquities, ancient pottery and many other interesting features. Besides, as many as 460 monuments were brought under conservation activity, out of which 150 works were specially identified for comprehensive conservation work.
1.3.3 During the year 1992-93, the Indian Library Association (ILA) hosted the 58th General Conference of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) at New Delhi, which was inaugurated by Hon'ble Minister for Human Resource Development. The theme of week long conference was "Library and Information Policy and Perspectives".
1.3.4 The Anthropological Survey of India was honoured with the "Best Industrial and Commercial Profile" trophy, awarded by EDICOIN, an international organisation based in Spain for outstanding professional contribution.
1.3.5 The Sangeet Natak Akademi, continued its activities towards furtherance of the performing arts of India. it conducted four zonal theatre Festivals in North, East, West and South Zones of the country, besides launching a support programme for Koodiyattam. The Sahitya Akademi which strives for development of Indian letters and promoting high literary standards, published 68 books, including reprints in various Indian languages during the year. The Anthology of Modern School of Drama conducted 14 theatre Workshops at various places of the country during the year.
1.3.6 Culture in the international spheres was also to the fore during the year. In the field of international cultural relations, the Department expanded the base of cooperation through Cultural Agreements and Cultural Exchange Programmes. The Festival of China in India was also inaugurated during the year by the Hon'ble Vice President of India and the Hon'ble Vice Minister, Ministry of Culture of the Peoples Republic of China,at Delhi. This one month long festival was organised in seven cities of India during December 1992/January 1993 consisting of Exhibition of Chinese Paintings, Performing Arts, Seminar on India and China facing 21st Century, Talks in Chinese Culture etc.
DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS 1.4.1 Youth is the most vital resource of the nation on whom both the present and the future of the country depend. A number of schemes of youth development are being implemented by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. While the old schemes like National Service Scheme (NSS), Training of Youth, Youth Clubs, Exhibitions for Youth, Youth Hostels, National Youth Awards, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan etc. have been continued and strengthened, many new initiatives have been taken during the
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year to give a new thrust to the youth programmes for channelising the abundant energy of the youth in a constructive way. Important few are enumerated below :-
1.4.2 National Institute of Youth Development is being established as an apex Institution and resource centre for providing training, research, documentation and extension services on subjects related to Youth. The project is estimated to cost Rs.4.19 crores during the VIII plan period.
1.4.3 With a view to recognising the contribution of youth clubs and motivating them into more active participation in nation building endeavours, a new scheme for giving recognition to outstanding Youth Clubs has been introduced. This scheme envisages besides the District and State level Awards, 3 national level awards also valued at Rs.25,000/-, Rs.50,000/- and Rs.1,00,000/-.
1.4.4 A new scheme for giving recognition to outstanding Nehru Yuva Kendras has been introduced. This carries a National Award of Rs.1,00,000 every year besides the Regional Awards. The Award money given to the Kendra will be utilised for further developmental activities of the Kendras.
1.4.5 In order to promote inter-community, inter-faith and mutual goodwill, Sadbhavana Diwas was celebrated throughout the country on 20th August, 1992. Thousands of youth participated in these programmes organised in different parts of the country. The main function was organised at the Indira Gandhi Stadium where the Hon'ble Prime Minister was the chief guest. A Sadbhavana Essay Competition was also organised for school and college students and Awards were presented to the winners at this function. On the basis of the experience gained, the existing National Integration Scheme is being suitably modified to make it more meaningful and participative.
1.4.6 Other schemes like Adventure Programmes, Scouts and Guides Movement, Training of Youth, United Nations Volunteers Programmes, Commonwealth Youth Programme etc. were also continued and implemented vigorously. Some of these schemes are being improved further to make them more relevant.
1.4.7 The National Service Scheme (NSS) is one of the largest student youth programmes for community service and personality development of student youth. During the year, the volunteers of NSS engaged in Mass Literacy Campaign, Ecological and Wasteland Development, Improvement of Environment, tree plantation, Campaigns against social evils, Peace Marches for Communal Harmony, National Integration Camps, Health Education, etc. Their major health related programmes have been directed towards sensitising the student youth and the academic community about HIV/AIDS under the programme called Universities Talks AIDS. In order to recognise the outstanding contributions of the NSS, it has been proposed to institute a National NSS Awards at various levels.
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1.4.8 Sports and Games : India has a long tradition for sports and physical fitness. High recognition to this subject was accorded when a separate Department of Sports was created in 1982 prior to the commencement of the 9th Asisan Games. Subsequently, the first ever National Sports Policy was announced in 1984. Recently, a fresh Programme of Action for implementation of this policy was laid before the Parliament in its Monsoon Session. The highlights of this programme include :-
i) Introduction of Sports and Physical Education as a compulsory subject in the Schools and Colleges.
ii) Arranging systematic media exposure to sports and games so that sports consciousness could be increased and greater participation in Games and Sports secured. This will also give a new impetus to the competitive spirit of our sportsmen.
iii) New programmes are being devised to utilise the resources and vitality of the private sector for promotion of sports and games and to enlist their cooperation inter-alia for creation of sports infrastructure as well.
As a further attempt to give a new thrust to the sports activities, a Committee was constituted for reviewing all the existing Sports Schemes and to suggest measures for making them more effective. This Committee was chaired by Shri M.M.Rajendran, the then Secretary of the Department and its report was presented to the then Minister of State Km. Mamta Banerjee on 29th May, 1992. The Committee has made a number of recommendations and action thereon is in progress. One of the major recommendations is related to giving preference to sports persons in matters of admission to Educational Institutions and recruitment to public services.
1.4.9 Fifteen priority sports disciplines in which the country has good prospects at the 1994 Asian Games or which are considered to be mother disciplines have been identified. These are the following :-
1) Rowing 2) Yatching
3) Weightlifting
4) Wrestling
5) Kabaddi
6) Badminton
7) Shooting
8) Hockey (Men)
9) Volleyball
10) Table Tennis
11) Equestrian
12) Boxing
13) Archery
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14) Athletics
15) Swimming
1.4.10 Long term Development Programme for the 1994 Asian Games are being finalised. A high level meeting under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister was held on 30th October, 1992 to consider plans for improvement of sports in India. This was attended by the Deputy Chairman (Planning Commission) also. Accordingly, necessary Action Plans for medium and long term development of Sports in the country are being prepared.
DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT 1.5.1 The Development of women and children constitutes an essential component in the country's total human resource development effort. The government is, therefore, committed to the development, welfare and protection of these two vulnerable sections of the population. The Department of Women and Child Development which is the nodal Department in the Government of India for women and children, continued its efforts during the year through a combination of programmes, advocacy and intersectoral monitoring.
1.5.2 The strategy in the sphere of women's development comprised awareness generation in order to bring about changes in societal attitudes towards women; empowerment of women through education, training and employment support; programmes to provide support services to women through creches, working women's hostels etc; and legal safeguards for women. The National Commission for Women was set up to investigate and examine all matters relating to constitutional and legal protections available for women, to review the existing legislation and suggest amendments wherever necessary. The decade 1990-2000 A.D. is being observed as the SAARC Decade of the Girl Child. A comprehensive National Plan of Action for the Girl Child has been drawn up for the observance of this Decade. Gender sensitization campaigns for administrators, policy makers, planners and police personnel, the drawing up of a Legal Literacy manual entitled "Our Laws", various employment generation programmes in traditional and non-traditional sectors, articulating gender considerations in various beneficiary oriented schemes relating to women are some of the highlights of the Women's Bureau of this Department during the year.