CHAPTER XII ACTIVITIES IN COMMON AND CLEARING HOUSE FUNCTIONS
In this chapter, is included an account of various activities undertaken by the Ministry, not covered by the earlier ones. These activities include policy formulation, development planning, budgeting, encouragement to, the progressive use of Hindi, reservation of posts in the services for scheduled castes/tribes and other backward classes, and student welfare measures. Some of them pertain to the Departments of Education and Culture in common.
Also included in this chapter is an account of the clearing house functions followed during the year. One of the important functions of the Union Ministry of Education is to act as a clearing house of information on all matters relating to educational development. The Ministry, accordingly, collects, compiles and publishes educational statistics, bring out journals and other published material on education and culture, in Hindi and English. A Students' Information Service in the Ministry attends to enquiries about facilities for higher education in this country and abroad.
A. ACTIVITIES IN COMMON
Conference of Education Ministers of States and Union Territories
A conference of Education Ministers of all States and Union Territories was held at New Delhi on August 10 and 11, 1977. This was preceded by a conference of State Education Secretaries on August 9, 1977. The highlight of the Education Ministers' conference was the address by the Prime Minister on August 11, 1977 in which he stressed the importance of education in the making of man and future citizens and called for fundamental changes in attitudes towards and content of education. Earlier, the Union Education Minister in his welcome address pointed out that education has an important role to play in national development and it must be given its due priority and place in the national plans. He also indicated that the National Policy on Education drawn up in 1968 does not adequately reflect the problems and aspira-
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tions of the people and therefore required to be reviewed. In this connection he referred to the two problems that loom large in educational development, viz. universalisation of elementary education and eradication of illiteracy. He also felt that the curriculum and syllabus for the 10 year stage needed to be modified to make it more meaningful. After detailed discussion of the various agenda items the conference drew up five recommendations on the basis of a consensus. They relate to the (i) realisation of the goal of universal elementary education by the end of the Sixth Plan (ii) a massive programme of adult education (iii) implementation of the new pattern of 10+2 educa- tional structure all over the country before the end of the Sixth Plan with suitable modifications in content (iv) the inclusion of Education in the core sector of the Sixth Plan with priority for specific areas and (v) review of the National Policy on Education.
Budget Estimates: Department of Education The total budget provision for 1977-78 and 1978-79 for the Department of Education in the Demands for Grants concerning the Department are as under :
(Rs.in Lakhs)
Particulars Budget Revised Budget
1977-78 1977-78 1978-79
Demand No. 28
(Renumbered 25)
Department of Education-
Secretariat of the Department,
including the Pay and Accounts
Offices, hospitality and ent-
ertainment and discretionary
grant of the Education Minister 1,57,59 1,57,84 1,75,87
Demand No. 29
(Renumbered 26)
Education-
Provision for general education,
other revenue expenditure of the
Department,including provisions
for grants in aid to States
/Union Territories on Central and
Centrally sponsored Plan Schemes
and also provision for loans for
construction of hostels, etc. and
other educational loans for, Central
and Centrally Sponsored Schemes 1,87,79,11 1,84,70,05 2,23,36,51
Total 1,89,36,70 1,86,27,89 2,25,12,38
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Budget Estimates : Department of Culture The budget provisions for 1977-78 and 1978-79 for the Department of Culture are as under :
(Rs. in Lakhs)
Particulars Budget Revised Budget
1977-78 1977-78 1978-79
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Department of Culture 8,95,98 8,04,99 10,95,21
Demand No. 102
(Renumbered 97)
Archaeology 6,79,99 6,17,12 7,19,95
Demand No. 103
(Renumbered 98)
TOTAL 15,75,97 14,22,11 18,15,16
Audit Observations and Inspection Reports In accordance with the recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee in its 215th Report on the Action Taken by Government on the Recommendations of the PAC contained in their 169th Report (5th Lok Sabha) the Ministry continued its concerted efforts to clear the outstanding audit observations and inspection paras. It also issued instructions to all subordinate formations in the matter of speedy clearance of outstanding audit observations and inspection paras, and asked for quarterly progress reports indicating their disposal. As against 6344 audit observations made upto March, 1976 but outstanding on 31st August, 1976 and 3801 inspection paras which were included in the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report for the year 1975-76, the Ministry cleared 2584 audit observations and 2482 inspection paras till 31st March, 1976. Efforts are being continued to clear the remaining outstanding observation's and paras.
The Information regarding Outstanding Audit Observations and Inspection Reports Paras upto the period ending 31st
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March, 1976 is given below. The position and the break up is as under :
Departments Total Outstanding Cleared
according as per
to C & AG's AG's
Report Report
1 2 3 4
Education
Audit Observations 2813 1691 1122
Inspection Paras 2796 777 2019
Culture
Audit Observations 3030 2002 1028
Inspection Paras 444 327 117
Social Welfare
Audit Observations 501 67 434
Inspection Paras 561 215 346
Total-Audit Observations 6344 3760 2584
Total-Inspection Paras 3801 1319 2482
Departmentalisation of Accounts: Departments of Education and
Culture Scheme for departmentalisation of accounts was introduced in the Departments of Education and Culture with effect from 1st October, 1976. There are five Pay & Accounts Offices to handle receipts & payments and accounting work relating to the Departments of Education & Culture and their subordinate formations.
The new Organisation is handling the work of payments and accounting expeditiously; periodic flow of accounting data to departments is timely. Appropriation Accounts and material for Finance Accounts for 1976-77 were sent in time; issues against provisions were controlled properly and there was no excess over grants during 1976-77.
Work of Pension and G.P. Fund final payment is being handled by it expeditiously.
Work of G.P.F. and loan accounts is receiving utmost attention. Annual G.P.F. accounts slips issued for the period from 1st October 1976 to 31st March 1977 did not contain a single missing credit.
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In short, the new Organisation is serving the two departments well.
Observance of orders regarding reservation in services for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes A special Cell functions in the Ministry to ensure that reser- vation orders relating to the appointment of members of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in the Departments of Education and Culture are strictly observed. During the year under report rosters pertaining to Librarians, Library Attendants and Compilers were inspected by this Cell to verify whether these are in accordance with the reservation orders and vacancies were properly filled up. Inspection Reports thereon have also been sent to the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. According to the procedure adopted in the Ministry, proposals for de-reservation of posts require the specific approval of the Education Minister.
Progressive use of Hindi The Ministry regularly circulates to its officers and the various sections within its control, in addition to its attached and subordinate offices, the administrative instructions issued by the Government regarding the full implementation of the official language policy and the statutory requirements relating to it. The Ministry keeps a regular watch on the progress of all the programmes in this regard.
Quarterly Progress Reports Progress in 1977-78 was watched and reviewed, inter-alia, through quarterly progress reports obtained from the various Divisions and the attached and subordinate offices under the control of this Ministry. These reports were scrutinised, consolidated, and sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Correspondence in Hindi Under the administrative instructions, letters received in Hindi from individuals as well as from State Governments have been replied to in Hindi.
Noting and Drafting in Hindi According to the bilingual policy, every Central Government employee is free to use Hindi or English for his official work.
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However, all the officers and staff in the Ministry and its attached and subordinate offices are requested from time to time to encourage their Hindi knowing staff to increase the use of Hindi for their notes and simple drafts. About 79 per cent of the. staff of the Department has working knowledge of Hindi and Hindi is being partially used in noting and drafting in 39 sections.
Provision of Additional Hindi Typewriters At present 53 Hindi typewriters are available in the Ministry.
Translation of Statutory Manuals, forms and other Procedural
Literature So far, 187 forms and manuals of this Ministry have been translated into Hindi.
Translation of Acts and Statutes The work relating to translation of Acts and Statutes has been completed.
Maintenance of separate Registers for letters received in Hindi All sections in the Ministry maintain separate diary registers for letters received in Hindi and specific entries are made about the replies sent in Hindi. Where replies are not sent in Hindi or are not considered necessary, suitable explanation is given by the Section concerned.
Official Language Implementation Committees Official Language Implementation Committees have been set up in the Ministry and in six of its subordinate offices. These committees hold quarterly meetings and review the progress of use of Hindi for official purposes at these meetings. The minutes of the meetings are sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Official Languages for information. It has not been considered necessary to set up such committees in other subordinate offices, whose total staff strength is very small.
Issue of Bilingual Circulars in Hindi Special care is taken to see that letters received from Hindi- speaking States are invariably replied to in Hindi. Circulars meant for general information are issued bilingually.
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Training of Employees, in Hindi On a review made recently about the officers and members of the staff who either had Hindi as a subject in their higher secondary examination or had passed Pragya examination conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, it was found that approximately 79% officers and staff belong to these two categories and have a working knowledge of Hindi. Besides, 33 persons were deputed for the various Hindi Teaching Classes. Special care is taken to see that the persons so nominated attend the classes regularly. Special attention is also being paid for the training of employees in Hindi Typewriting and Hindi Stenography.
Workshops Regular workshops are being conducted to impart training to Hindi-knowing employees of this Department in noting and drafting in Hindi. One workshop has been organised so far during the year 1977- 78.
Setting up of Hindi Advisory Committee A Hindi Salahkar Samiti has been set up for the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare and the Department of Culture under the Chairmanship of Union Education Minister, to advise the Ministry on matters relating to the Progressive use of Hindi for official purposes. The Committee held its last meeting on 10th December, 1976 and received a report on the action already taken by the Ministry for the Progressive use of Hindi and for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Official Language Act, 1963, as amended by the Official Language (Amendment) Act, 1967. The Samiti is under reconstitution as its terms have since been expired.
Visit of the Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Committee on
Official Language The sub-committee of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language visited this Department on 6.2.1978 to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for official purposes of the Union and to submit a report to the President making recommendations thereon. The Department arranged meeting on 6.2.1978 with the members of the Committee in which the Education Minister, Secretary and other senior officers participated.
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Supply of white Printing paper at concessional rate for production
of textbooks, exercise books and for examination The scheme for the allocation of white printing paper at the concessional rate of Rs. 2750/- per tonne which was initiated in 1974 was continued during the year under report. 1.20 lakh tonnes of this paper has been earmarked for the educational sector. Keeping in view the requirements given by the States and Union Territories, and the actual availability of paper from the Paper Mills, Ministry of Education makes quarterly allocations of paper for the production of text-books reference and recommended books at all levels, for manufacture of exercise books and for examinations. The actual distribution of paper among consumers in the States is made by the State Level Committee for Paper Distribution, generally headed by the State Education Secretary. Some difficulties were experienced in the last quarter and the previous one in regard to supply of paper to States and action has been taken in collaboration with the Department of Industrial Development to remove these difficulties.
During the first three quarters of the year 1977-78, 1,04,809 tonnes of paper has been allocated to the States and Union Territories for the specified educational purposes. To ensure proper use of concessional. paper and to avoid its possible misuse, the States and Union Territories have been requested to allot paper only to those manufacturers who possess the required machinery/ equipment for conversion into exercise books and are registered with the State Industries Department as small scale industry. For text-books standard sizes of paper have been suggested for adoption by the States and Union Territories.
As a result of regular supply of concessional paper to the States and Union Territories the prices of textbooks have either been reduced or stabilised at the 1973 Level.
Exercise books continue to be manufactured on concessional paper in accordance with the standardised page and price pattern evolved in 1976. Reports received from the States and Union Territories have revealed that exercise books are freely available to students at the rates fixed in 1976; the lowest price being 20 paise for a 48 page cover exercise books and the upper price being Rs. 1.30 for a 240 page exercise book. These prices are less by 4.7% than those that prevailed in July 1975. Availability of concessional paper has not only ensured easy availability of textbooks and exercise books but the benefit of conces-
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sional price of paper has been passed on to the student community in the form of reduction in prices both of textbooks and exercise books.
Import of Paper from Norway Under the bilateral agreement entered into between Government of India and the Government of Kingdom of Norway in 1974, Norway has agreed WA supply to India text paper and cover paper as a commodity assistance. For the calendar year 1977 paper worth 5 million Norwegian Kroners has been supplied in November, 1977. This paper has been given to the NCERT for the production of school level text books, which are priced on no profit no loss basis.
During the calendar year 1978 paper worth 5 million Norwegian Kroners is expected to be made available from Norway.
Establishment of Book Banks
Schools The programme for the establishment of book banks in schools came into operation in 1975. Prior to this there was no regular scheme in this regard though a few States appeared to have their own scheme of establishment of book banks on a modest scale.
Ministry of Education issued instructions to the States and Union Territories suggesting implementation of this scheme. It was stated therein that instead of supplying a limited number of books free to some children, book banks should be established to start with in all primary and middle schools and such book banks should provide textbooks on loan basis to all children of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and other deprived sections studying in classes I- VIII. It was emphasised that book banks should have atleast as many sets of textbooks of each class as there are SC & ST children in that class (roughly 15 % on an average). Subsequently, this programme was extended to include higher secondary level students also.
Under the programme the book banks lend one set of textbooks to each eligible student for the whole year and it is returned to the bank at the end of the year. The books remain the property of the bank. According to reports received from the
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States and Union Territories, 1,74,639 book banks have been established in schools so far.
Colleges University Grants Commission is assisting colleges for setting up book banks with the specific purpose of making available to poor and needy students books on loan during the period of their studies. The scheme provides for at least 40% of grants to be made available for purchase of multiple copies of textbooks. According to the original scheme of the UGC assistance was made available to colleges having a minimum enrolment of 250 students excluding PUC/Intermediate/pre- degree classes and depending upon the enrolment 75 % of assistance in the range of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 30,000 was made available to each col- lege.
Subsequently, in July 1975, the UGC decided to relax the minimum condition of enrolment of atleast 100 students in degree classes and such colleges are assisted the Commission for setting up book banks. This has enabled colleges situated in backward areas and in places away from cities and towns to set up book banks with multiple copies of textbooks to meet the needs of poor and needy students. 75% of assistance in the range of Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 30,000 is now being made available to each college. According to reports received so far, 2623 book banks have been opened in colleges.
Statistics In pursuance of the recommendations of the Sixth All India Conference on Educational Statistics, revised simplified forms were introduced w.e.f. 1976-77 for the collection of educational statistics from States. This step has been taken in order to reduce the existing time-lag which was mainly owing to the delay in the collection of data from the field, by the existing machinery.
An in-service training course for the officers-in-charge of the Statistical Units of the various States was conducted in collaboration with the National Staff College for Educational Planners and Administrators for familiarising them with the concepts and terminology used in the new forms.
Regional in-service training courses, were organised in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Mizoram on request from these State Governments. Also,
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officers from Administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Andaman & Nicobar Islands were provided training in the Ministry with regard to the filling up of new forms. It is proposed to conduct a central in service training course for the benefit of the Statistical Assistants employed in various States with a view to apprise them with the terminology and concepts used in the forms and the methodology of collection, scrutiny and compilation of the data received from the field.
A crash programme was prepared to clear the arrears of educational statistics upto 1975-76 during the year. In this con- nection officers and staff of the Division visited various States for an on the spot collection and reconciliation of Statisical data pertaining to the arrear years.
The following publications were brought out during the year under report :
(i) Progress of Education of Scheduled Castes & Sche- duled Tribes 1970-71, No. 1 of 77.
(ii) State Educational Directorate & Inspectorates in India 1972-73, No. 2 of 77.
(iii) Boards of Secondary Education in India, Results of High School & Higher Secondary Examinations 1971-1974. No. 3 of 1977.
(iv) Indian Students Going Abroad & Foreign Students in India 1965-66. No. 4 of 1977.
(v) Selected Educational Statistics 1976-77. No. 5 of 1977.
(vi) Progress of Education of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes 1971-72. No. 6 of 1977.
(vii) Education in India-1970-71.
Planning & Monitoring Preparation of the Central Annual Plan of Education for the year 1978-79 Was undertaken. A Central Plan of Rs. 115.00 crores for 1978- 79 was agreed to by the Planning Commission. Working Group meetings to discuss State Annual Plans were held under the chairmanship of Education Secretary in the
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Ministry. The reports of the Working Group have been presented to the Planning Commission.
Physical and financial targets in respect of State Plan pro- grammes were collected and progress in various sectors analysed.
An intensive study of facilities in elementary schools has been undertaken in selected blocks of one district in each of the 7 States of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka & Orissa in preparation for the next medium term plan. This programme has been taken up in collaboration with NCERT and the Planning Commission. Under this programme, an orientation course was held from 7th to 9th September, 1977, at New Delhi for State and Dis- trict level officers. The training programmes for the field level officers at Block level were organised by the State Governments in which the central representatives participated. The numeration, compilation and consolidation of survey data is being carried out by the State Governments.
Tribal sub-plans prepared by States for the educational deve- lopment of Scheduled Tribes in the tribal areas of various States continued to receive close attention. In this connection, neces. sary guidelines were issued to the State Governments. Integrated tribal development projects received from the States were evaluated and comments given to the Ministry of Home Affairs for presentation in the Sub-Committee, of the Central Coordination Committee. The officers of this Ministry in collaboration with Planning Commission and Ministry of Home Affairs visited the States of Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra and Orissa to review the progress of preparation and implementation of educational programmes for the tribal areas of these States. Reports in this regard were prepared and provided to the State Governments for their guidance and implementation.
Publications The Publication Unit brought out, during the period from March, 1977 to February, 1978, 41 tides in English including 1 bilingual (English and Hindi) and two quarterly journals, viz. The Education Quarterly and Indian Education Abstracts. The Education Quarterly entered into its 29th year and the
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Indian Education Abstracts into its 22nd year of publication. Notable among the titles brought out are :
1. National Service Volunteer Scheme
2. Education Developments in India 1971-77
3. Education in India 1974-76
4. Report of the Review Committee of the University Grants Commission
5. Our Cultural Fabric Indian Poetesses, Past and Present (Part II) Festivals of India
6. A Study in Educational Television SITE Udayabhanu
7. Work Experience in Schools
8. Report of the Review Committee on the Curriculum fOr 10 year School
9. Report of the Working Group on Organisation of Vocational Education
10. National Adult Education Programme An Outline
11. Interim Report of the Working Group on Universalisation of Elementary Education.
The Unit, on behalf of the Ministry, participated in the Festival of Indian Art and Culture in the USSR and the Festival of Soviet Art and Culture in India during the Soviet and Indian Festivals. The Unit also brought out a Daily News Bulletin during the Soviet Festival on behalf of the Department of Culture.
The Unit, on behalf of the Ministry, participated in the World Book Fair III by putting up a stall displaying and selling publications. It also took part in the All India Tourist Trade Pair held at Madras by the Tamilnadu Tourist Development Corporation during December 1977 February, 1978.
The Hindi Publication Unit brought out during the same period 19 titles including 2 quarterly Journals "Shiksha Vivechan" and "Sanskriti".
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Students information Service The Students Information Service Unit collects, compiles and disseminates information on higher education in India and abroad for the benefit of the students community and attends to their enquiries on various subject-fields.
During the year under report, it attended to approximately 7000 enquiries relating to facilities for higher education in India and abroad. Nearly 3500 persons visited the Reference Library attached to this Unit to consult the calendars, handbooks, prospectuses and other informative bulletins on various courses offered by Indian/foreign Universities/Institutions. 2500 additions were made to the Reference Library of the Unit by way of latest calendars, prospectuses and other relevant literature acquired from several Universities/Institutions.
About 50 compilations on different topics/subjects on higher education were brought out and revised during the year under report. The publication 'General Information for Indian Students Going Abroad' has been revised and will be brought out soon.
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DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE
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