INTRODUCTORY
Policies and Priorities The National Policy on Education adopted by the Government of India in 1968 envisaged the development of education in the country in accordance with the guidelines provided therein. A review of the policy in the light of the progress made after 5 years was envisaged and provided for in the policy : soon after taking office in March, 1977, the Government decided to review the implementation of the National Policy. It started with the discussions which the Education Minister initiated with educationists, individual Members of Parliament, members of the public, representatives of teachers' and students' organisations. and others to ascertain their response to the various policies and programmes in operation. A meeting was held with the authorities of the Planning Commission to identify the priority areas for action in the field of education for purposes of planning. A conference of Education Ministers of States and Union Territories was held in August, 1977 to seek their advice involvement and support to these efforts. This Conference was a significant event which recommended the policies in certain crucial sectors of education and identified new directions for action. The Conference, after detailed discussions, drew up the recommendations on the basis of a consensus. They relate to:-
(1) the Realisation of the goal of universal elementary education by the end of Sixth Plan;
(2) the Adoption of a massive programme of adult edu- cation;
(3) the Implementation of the new pattern of 10+2 education structure all over the country before the end of the Sixth Plan with suitable modifications in content;
(4) the Inclusion of education in the core sector of the Sixth Plan with priority for elementary and adult education.
These recommendations formed the basis of further action by the, Ministry.
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Elementary Education A working group was set up by the Ministry in collaboration with the Planning Commission to prepare a time-bound programme for universal elementary education. The working group has submitted its interim report. It envisages 90% enrolment of the children in the age group 6-14 before the end of the Sixth Plan. It seeks an investment of Rs. 900 crores in the Plan. It has also emphasised increased attention to the problems of the weaker sections such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, landless labourers and girls. It provides for a massive programme of non-formal education to ensure that students who are unable to make use of the facilities of formal education and also who drop out of the formal system are given access to education. The approach behind the proposals is that every child shall continue to learn in the age group 6-14 on a full-time basis, if possible, and on a part-time basis, if necessary. The proposals of the working group spell out the strategy for non-formal education, propose modification of curricula to achieve relevance and identify measures for quality improvement.
Government also set up a committee of educationists under the Chairmanship of Shri Ishwarbhai Patel to consider the, question of reducing the academic load on the children at school stage and to modify the curriculum to suit the needs and requirements of our society. The report envisages considerable reduction of the academic load of the children. It also proposes increased attention to new programmes like socially useful productive work, social service, extra-curricular activities. Most of the proposals of Ishwarbhai Patel Committee have been accepted by the State Boards of Education and they are now before the State Education authorities for follow up action.
Vocationalisation A committee was also set up by Government under the Chairmanship of Dr. Malcom Adiseshiah to review the proposals drawn up by the National Council of Education Research and Training for vocationalisa- tion of higher secondary education and recommend a plan of action for the introduction of vocationalisation at the secondary and higher secondary stages. The report of the group was received recently and it is under consideration.
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A working group was also set up in collaboration with the Planning Commission to determine the policies and programmes for vocationalisation in the next Plan. It is hoped that positive programmes for vocationalisation of education with emphasis on the rural sector would be evolved in the next plan in the light of the recommendations of these two groups. However, it is expected that these programmes may have to be still of an experimental nature but on a larger scale in the next plan.
Adult Education A working group was set up in collaboration with the Planning Commission to draw up policies and programmes for the removal of adult illiteracy in the country in a time-bound programme. The interim report of the group has been received. It envisages a programme reaching 65 million of adults during the next Plan and hopes to reach the target of 100 million before 1983-84.
A National Adult Education Board has been established to ensure national leadership and monitoring of the programme. An outline of the National Adult Education Programme has been prepared in consultation with experts, Members of Parliament and others. The Education Minister has had extensive discussions with the business of the political parties, Members of Parliament. youth leaders of stu- dents' organisations, representatives of trade unions, members of industry and trade and commerce and universities with a view to de- veloping a broad base for the programme and promoting it on a mass scale. The National Adult Education Programme is to be formally launched on October 2, 1978.
Educational Technology The importance of educational technology as a tool to promote mass efforts in education is recognised and the Ministry has set up a group to submit proposals for the effective use of educational technology to achieve universalisation of elementary education and adult education.
Higher Education The importance attached to the sector of higher education has been shifted. The approach in this sector is to regulate enrolment while ensuring access for the weaker sections of the population and improving the quality of education and research
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at this level. The University Grants Commission has prepared proposals for the involvement of the universities in programmes of adult and elementary education. Other measures enabling greater equalisation of educational opportunities at this level of higher education are also being designed.
Technical Education A working group set up to consider the policies and programmes for technical education made specific recommendations in this regard. These recommendations have been placed before the All India Council of Technical Education which has endorsed them. The group has recommended improved efficiency and effectiveness of the courses of study and the establishment of a national manpower information system. Research must be industrial and rural development oriented keeping in view national needs.
Sports and Physical Education In the area of sports and physical education, the main thrust has been to broad base sports and extend it to rural and tribal areas. Rural sports have gained a firm foot-hold and the total annual partic- ipation now has reached about 12 lakhs rural youth right from the block to the national level. The National Sports Festival for Women has become a regular feature.
Languages and Book Development The diverse programmes undertaken in the development of languages maintained their tempo during the period. In the sphere of book promotion, the World Book Fair was organised in Delhi in February, 1978 with impressive foreign and local participation. About 200,000 books were displayed during the Fair. An international seminar on Educational Publishing in the Developing Countries was one of the highlights of the Fair.
The tenth meeting of the Indo-Soviet Textbook Board held in Delhi in January, 1978 recommended various measures towards accelerating the pace of the programme and its effective implementation. A notable event during the year was the Substantial reduction in the tax rates on royalty remittances from India with effect from 1st April, 1977. Relief was also provided to artists towards import of artists' material including oil colour, hand-made paper etc.
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UNESCO
The Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow paid an official visit to India in May, 1977. He held discussions among others with scientists, technologists and members of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication on Unesco programmes. His visit is expected to strengthen the association of the country with Unesco and accelerate the programmes of mutual collaboration.
Archaeology The implementation of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 was pursued in a vigorous manner. Programmes directed towards creat- ing and sharpening public awareness of the country's cultural inheri- tance were continued. Fresh explorations, excavations, and programmes of conservation and preservation of ancient monuments marked the activities of the archaeological agencies.
Culture The birth centenaries of Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, Mohammed Iqbal and Anand Coomaraswamy were the highlights of the period. Cultural Agreements were concluded with Thailand, Sri Lanka and Mongolia. A Cultural Exchange Programme was finalised with Vietnam.
A unique event was the Soviet Festival of Art and Culture held from November 15 to December 3, 1977 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution thus reciprocating similar celebrations held in Soviet Union in connection with the 30th Anniver- sary of India's Independence.
Conclusion In retrospect, it has been an eventful year marked by intense activity to give a positive, meaningful and egalitarian orientation to the educational efforts of the Government.
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