TWENTY POINT PROGRAMME AND ACCESS TO EDUCATION FOR THE DISABLED
Education of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes 14.1.1 The year 1990-91 was the centenary year of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The National Committee which was set up under the chairmanship of the then Prime Minister for the centenary celebrations decided that the programmes for the development of SCs and STs would continue upto the year 1992-93. Department of Education has issued instructions to organisations under its control to take up programme and activities for celebrating the birth centenary in a befitting manner and extend these activities to the current year also. The programme includes panel discussions, seminars, essay competitions, publications of Dr.Ambedkar's biography and anthology of his works, creation of chairs of Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in universities, inclusion of Baba Saheb's thoughts in the text books etc.
14.1.2 The thrust on removal of disparities and equalisation of educational opportunities by catering to specific needs of SCs and STs was continued. Under the schemes of Operation Blackboard, Non-formal Education, Adult Education, etc. States were advised to give high priority to the selection of blocks which have large concentration of SCs and STs.
14.1.3 A Task Force on the education of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Sections was set up to prepare Programme of Action - 1992 (POA-1992) in pursuance of revised National Policy on Education - 1992 (NPE-1992). The task force recommended to continue the educational programmes undertaken during Seventh Five Year Plan for improving literacy, increasing enrolment and reducing dropout rates among SCs/STs; and to provide other incentives such as freeships, scholarships, supply of uniforms, book banks, mid-day meals etc. The Committee of CABE endorsed the recommendations of Task Force for implementation.
14.1.4 The scheme of upgradation of merit of SC/ST students started in 1987-88 continued to be under implementation through States/UTs. Under this scheme, remedial coaching is given in classes IX-XII, and special coaching in classes XI and XII for preparing them for competitive examinations.
14.1.5 Other facilities like reservation of seats in educational institutions (15% for SCs and 7 1/2 % for STs), relaxation in qualifying marks in entrance examinations, reservation in pre-matric scholarships, freeships in Kendriya Vidyalayas, reservation in University level research fellowships, research associateships, teacher fellowships, etc. were continued.
14.1.6 The Indian Institutes of Technology operate a scheme under which candidates belonging to SCs and STs, who fail in the
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Joint Entrance Examinations by very slender margin of marks are given further training and admitted to relevant courses.
Education of minorities 14.2.1 The Task Force on minorities education was set up to revise the Programme of Action (POA-1986). A sub-committee of the task force visited various parts of the country to look into the educational problems of minorities and submitted its report to the Ministry. In the revised POA, 1992, short term, medium term, and long term measures have been suggested for the upliftment of Education of minorities. Action has already been initiated to implement the programmes. The new initiatives include the scheme of modernisation of Madrasa Education, Area Intensive Programme for Minorities and the provision of a Urdu University.
14.2.2 Under a 15 Point Programme the University Grants commission continued to implement the scheme of providing assistance to universities and colleges for coaching students for educationally backward minorities. A 5 Point Package Programme (5 PPP) has been suggested for implementation in colleges/ universities where regular coaching for competitions cannot be undertaken due to lack of facilities. Sponsoring of candidates for learning, typing, shorthand, etc. to better institutions is being encouraged under this programme.
14.2.3 The programme of review of textbooks from the point of view of communal harmony, secularism and national integrity is being implemented by the NCERT and State Governments. A Steering Group has been set up by the NCERT at national level to make this programme a regular feature.
14.2.4 All the 41 minority concentration districts identified by the Programme of Action have been covered by Community Polytechnics under 15 - Point Programme.
Scheme of Financial Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for
Modern Madrasa Education 14.2.5 The scheme of financial assistance to voluntary organsations for modernisation of Madrasa Education has been formulated to encourage traditional institutions like Madrasa and Maktabs to introduce Science, Maths, Social Studies, Modern Indian Languages, Hindi and English.
Scheme of Area Intensive Programme for Educationally Backward
Minorities 14.2.6 The scheme of Area Intensive Programme for Educationally Backward Minorities has been prepared to provide assistance to State Governments and voluntary organisations for taking up programmes for educationally. backward minorities, not covered by the on-going programmes.
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