 OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

In addition to the activities described in the foregoing Chapters, the Ministry of Education is engaged in pursuing a number of other useful educational activities a brief account of which is given in the paragraphs that follow.

I. Educational Delegations to and from India.

-This item was transferred to the Ministry of 'Education from the Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs with effect from April 1, 1959, and for the current financial year, a provision of Rs. 65,000 was made for this purpose. Under this scheme, a student-teacher delegation from Nepal, consisting of 15 persons, is currently visiting important places in India on a three week tour beginning December 19, 1960.

Another 25-member student-teacher delegation is expected from, Bhutan in January, 1961.

During 1961-62, besides the normal budget provision of Rs. 65,000, a sum of Rs. 2,30,000 has been provided as a Plan item for this purpose. This includes a provision of Rs. 2 lakhs for the Commonwealth Education Conference proposed to be held at New Delhi shortly and the remaining amount is earmarked for exchanges of educational value between India and foreign countries. It is also proposed to implement some of the items contained in the agreement signed between India and the United Arab Republic and to assist educational institutions run by the Indian community abroad.

II. National Awards for Teachers.

-The scheme of National Awards for Teachers was started in 1958-59. The object of the scheme is to raise the prestige of teachers and to give public recognition to distinguished teachers who have rendered meritorious services to the community in their professional life. The scheme at present has been confined to practising teachers, who have put in at least 20 years of recognised teaching, service, in Primary, Middle, High and Higher Secondary schools. During 1958-59 that is the first year of the scheme, 32 awards on an uniform basis of two awards for each State, were distributed. The following year, the number of awards was increased to 71 and divided among the States and Union Territories on the basis of the number of schools within their respective jurisdictions.

The following factors are taken into consideration while making the selection:

(i) teacher's reputation in the local 84

(ii) teacher's academic efficiency and the desire for its improve-

(iii) teacher's interest in, and love for, children; and

(iv) teacher's share in the social life of the community.

The preliminary selection is, made by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The final selection is made by the Ministry of Education from among the applications which are recommended by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. Awards to the, 71 teachers selected for 1960-61, were given away by the President of India at a special function held in New Delhi on December 22, 1960.

III. Educational Tours of Teachers.

-The Government of India also offers a small token assistance of not more than Rs. 1,000 per State per year for the educational tours of teachers. Since January 1960, the proposals from the following States and Union Territories have been sanctioned:

                                            
                  1.   Madras                             1959-60
                  2.   Uttar Pradesh                      1959-60
                  3.   L. M. & A. Islands                 1959-60
                  4.   A. & N. Islands                    1959-60
                  5.   Assam                              1960-61
                  6.   Kerala                             1960-61
                  7.   Maharashtra                        1960-61
                  8.   Manipur                            1960-61

Tour proposals from Madras and Delhi for 1960-61, are under consideration. This is the last year of the scheme as it is not being continued in the Third Five-Year Plan.

IV. Committee on Religious and Moral Instruction.

-The recommendations made by the Committee on Religious and Moral Instruction were discussed at the 27th session of the Central Advisory Board of Education held at New Delhi in February, 1960, and were accepted with slight modifications. The proceedings of the Board's meeting were duly for. warded to the respective authorities for necessary action. The Report of the Committee was also considered in June, 1960, at Khadakvasla by a committee of vice-chancellors who unanimously suggested implementation of three recommendations which are:

(i) that in the first year of the degree course, lives of the great religious and spiritual leaders like Gautama the Buddha, Confucius, Zoroaster, Socrates, Jesus, Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhava, Mohammad, Kabir, Nanak and Gandhi be taught;

(ii) that in the second year, some selections of a universalist character from the scriptures of the world be studied;

(iii) that in the third year, the central problems of philosophy of religion be considered. Standard works for such studies should be prepared carefully by specialists who have; deep knowledge of and sympathy for the religious systems about which they write.

It has been decided to request the same Committee also to select suitable literature for the purpose for all stages of education, namely, Primary to, the university.

V. Promotion of Gandhian Philosophy.

-Under the scheme of promotion of Gandhiji's teachings' in schools, Kumari Manuben Gandhi delivered a series of lectures on "Gandhiji's teachings and way of life" in selected schools of Bihar and Rajasthan. Copies of the Unesco publication 'All Men are Brothers' which is a compilation of extracts from Gandhiji's writing& emphasising the brotherhood of man were distributed to all High/Higher Secondary schools in the country.

The programme for Third Plan includes:

(i) lectures on Gandhiji's teachings and way of life in selected Secondary schools by Kumari Manuben Gandhi;

(ii) supply of Gandhian literature to colleges and schools; (iii) lectures by eminent persons on Gandhiji's life and thought in some universities; and

(iv) collaboration with non-official organisations.

VI. Promotion of Inter-State Understanding.

- Copies of the guide book on West Bengal and Assam have been distributed to the Secondary schools in the southern States. A rally of Secondary school students was, held at New Delhi from January 22 to 28, 1960. Each State Government was requested to depute selected and outstanding students to participate in the rally (six students from each State accompanied by a teacher). One student each was also invited from the Centrally Administered Areas, including Pondicherry. 92 students and teachers attended the rally which was inaugurated by the Union Education Minister. Besides a lively programme of cultural activities, the students from different States lived together in mutual harmony and new contacts were established. The participants saw various places of historical, cultural and educational interest in Delhi, and witnessed the Republic Day Parade, the Beating the Retreat, folk dances, etc.

The problem of building up a strong national sentiment through programmes of emotional integration has assumed a very great signifi- cance at present and the educational institutions in the country have to accept the challenge and rise to the occasion. This problem was recently discussed at the Education Ministers' Conference held in November, 1960, and on its recommendation, it has been decided to set up a high

level committee. to, examine the issue and to make concrete recommendations. A token financial provision has also been made in the Third Plan to implement this programme which would be finalised in the light of the recommendations of this Committee.

VII. Anglo-Indian Institutions and Public Schools.

-Financial assistance is being given by the Ministry of Education for the maintenance of N.C.C. units in the Public schools. These units (two in each school) are functioning in about 20 Public schools. Part of the expenditure is met by the institutions themselves, part by the Ministry of Defence and part by the Education Ministry. The provision for 1960-61 is Rs. 90,000 (approximately Rs. 2,500 per unit) and an equal amount has been proposed for 1961-62.

As in the previous year, a sum of Rs. 4.300 has been provided for Inter-State Board of Anglo-Indian Education and Rs. 7,300 for Dr. Graham's Home, Kalimpong, for grants during 1961-62 as Government of India's share of expenditure.

A provision of Rs. 62,000 has been made for 1960-61, and of an equal amount for 1961-62, for payment to the Lawrence School, Lovedale, as part of the Government of India's share of expenditure on entitled children.

VIII. Grants-in-aid to Approved Research Projects.

-The scheme for the promotion of research in problems connected with Secondary education which was initiated in 1953-54, is being continued. Under this Scheme, grants are given to teacher training colleges, departments of education of universities and other recognised institutions for carrying on research on educational problems chosen by them and approved by this Ministry. The main purpose of the Scheme is not to seek solutions of educational problems, but to create research-mindedness in the educational faculties.

Though primarily the Scheme is meant for problems connected with Secondary education, research in other fields is also considered. The grant covers the salary of research Fellows, approved travelling expenses, library books and other equipment needed for the project and some contingent expenditure.

To-date, 52 research projects have been sanctioned in favour of 10 institutions. Out of these, 29 projects have been completed and one had to be stopped on account of unsatisfactory progress. 22 projects are continuing.

An expenditure of Rs. 2,05,288 was incurred on the Scheme during the First Plan. The provision for the Second Plan is Rs. 7 lakhs. The

expenditure incurred so far and the research projects in progress are as shown below

                                          
        
                                                          Projects in Progress
                  Year                          Grants
                                                Sanc-      Old    New    Total
                                                tioned
                                                  Rs.
        
               1956-57                          76,067      19      5      24
               1957-58                        1,20,453      20     15      35
               1958-59                        1,69,244      31      8      39
               1959-60                        1,24,327      37      2      39
               1960-61 (up to December, 1960)   20,968      27     12       8

In addition to this amount, administrative approval has been given to some institutions for completing research projects, the sanction for which will issue on receipt of information about actual expenditure.

The scheme will be continued during the Third Plan.

IX. Grants to Voluntary Organisations.

-The Ministry of Education also gives grants-in-aid to voluntary educational organisations, which are doing some educationally significant work, to expand or improve their existing services or to start new ones. During the year under review, the following grants-in-aid were sanctioned:

                                          
                                                Institutions to which
                                                Grants have been      Budget  Provision 
                  Sub-Scheme                    Sanctioned so far            for
                                                during the Year 
                                                 under Report        1960-61   1961-62
        
                                                  No.      Amount
        
                                          
                                                             Rs.        Rs.      Rs.
        (a) Establishment of Post-Basic Schools     1       5,000     40,000
        (b) Voluntary Organisations in the 
            field of Pre-Primary, Primary and 
            Basic Education
                                                     8     88,198   3,50,000   3,50,000
        (c) Voluntary Organisations in the field
             of Secondary Education                  8 1,42,621.69  3,25,000   3,50,000 
        (d) (i) Grants to Voluntary Organisations 
            and Institutions of Higher Learning of
            All-India Importance                          2,00,000  5,00,000  10,00,000
                                                     (Administrative
                                                        Approval)
        (ii) Maintenance Grants to Jamia Millia                     5,60,000    5,80,000
        (e)  Assistance to Voluntary Organisations
             in the field of Social Education         7   2,57,400  3,50,000   4,00,000

A sum of Rs. 35,000 was sanctioned as an ad hoc grant to Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Jaipur, for 1959-60. A provision of Rs. 35,000 has been made for 1960-61,

Grants to voluntary organisations in the field of social welfare and the education and welfare of the handicapped have been described in chapters XIII and IX respectively.

X. Grants-in-Aid to Hostels, Institutions, etc. outside India.

-(a) The Government of India has been maintaining the Fuilford Street Indian Students' Hostel, London, at an annual expenditure of (pound)1,665. A sum of (pound)1,425 has been provided in the budget for 1961-62 of the High Commissioner in the United Kingdom to. meet part of the expenditure on this account; the remaining expenditure will be met out of the savings in the catering services of the hostel.

(b) A grant of (pound)750 has been sanctioned to the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, during 1960-61. An equal amount has been provided in the budget for 1961-62 of the High Commissioner in the United Kingdom for the purpose.

(c) Rs. 7,800 has been provided for 1960-61 for grant to the Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust which provides educational facilities to the children of the Indians domiciled there. Rs. 7,500 will be sanctioned during the current financial year and Rs. 7,600 has been provided for 1961-62 for the purpose.

(d) Rs. 18,000 is available for providing financial assistance to the educational institutions in Nepal for 1960-61; the amount will be sanctioned during the current financial year. An equal amount has been provided for 1961-62 for the purpose.

(e) (pound)225 was provided during 1960-61 for grant to the Royal Asiatic Society, London. The sanction for (pound)200 has been issued. An equal amount (pound 225) has been provided for 1961-62.

(f) A grant of (pound)250 has been given to the Indian Students' Union and Hostel (Y.M.C.A.), London, during 1960-61. An equal amount has been provided for 1961-62.

(g) A grant of (pound)150 has been given to the Indian students' organisations in the United Kingdom during 1960-61. A sum of (pound)425 has been provided for 1961-62.

XI. Loans.

-The Ministry of Education also operates a scheme under which loans are given to State Governments, universities, voluntary organisations, etc., to enable them to put up hostels. Formerly, the loans were sanctioned by the Government of India on the recommendations of the State Governments. Since the beginning of 1960-61, the procedure has been revised and the funds are placed at the disposal of the State Governments for grants of loans to the institutions direct.

(a) Loans for the Construction of Hostels and Training Institutions for Primary Teachers.-Under this sub-scheme, loans are sanctioned for provision of hostels in Basic training institutions for Primary teachers. Loans amounting to Rs. 4.85,075 were sanctioned to State Governments

during the last quarter of 1959-60 and a sum of Rs. 10 lakhs has been allocated to the State Governments in the current year and a sum of Rs. 2 lakhs has been kept aside for grants for construction of hostels in the Union Territories.

(b) Loans for the Construction of Hostels in Secondary Schools and Training Colleges.-A sum of Rs. 8.60 lakhs was sanctioned to State Governments in February, 1960, for being advanced to Secondary schools and training colleges in their respective jurisdictions. For 1960-61, a sum of Rs. 14 lakhs has been allocated to State Governments.

(c) Loans for the Construction of Hostels in Affiliated Colleges.-The following amounts (as pending instalments) have been released during the period under report:

                                          
 
                  
                                                                      Amount
                       Name of College                                  of
                                                                       Loan
                                          
        
                  Rs.
             1. Bhadrak College, Bhadrak (Orissa)                      50,000
             2. Andhra Loyola College, Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh)     85,000
             3. G.H. G. Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar (Ludhiana)      50,000
        
                                                 TOTAL               1,85,000

In accordance with the revised procedure for grant of loans, the amount of Rs. 45 lakhs included in the budget estimates for 1960-61 has been allocated to the State' Governments for being loaned to the institutes selected by them.

In the course of the Second Five-Year Plan, the University Grants Commission initiated a scheme for giving grants to affiliated colleges for construction of hostels. Assistance under this scheme is available to men's colleges on a 50:50 basis, subject to certain ceilings in regard to the amount payable to an individual college and, also for girls', hostels on 75:25 basis. The U.G.C. proposes to continue this scheme in the Third Plan. The question whether in view of this scheme of the U.G.C., it would be advisable to continue the scheme of loans in so far as affiliated colleges are concerned, was examined carefully in consultation with the Commission. It was felt that certain affiliated colleges. may not find it possible to take advantage of the scheme of grants formulated by the U.G.C., as they may not be in a position to raise their share of the cost. It has accordingly been proposed to earmark, a sum of Rs. 40,00,000 out of the funds available under the scheme of grants for hostels under the U.G.C. in the Third Plan for such loans to State Governments for affiliated colleges. A provision of Rs. 8 lakhs has been made in the budget estimates for 1961-62 in respect of this scheme under which the maximum. permissible loan for a college would be Rs. 2 lakhs.