INTRODUCTORY
Following the general elections to the Lok Sabha in December 1984, the Ministry of Education and Culture was redesignated as the Ministry of Educa- tion delinking the Department of Culture from it by the 164th amendment to the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961. Shri K.C. Pant assumed charge of the Ministry of Education on January 1, 1985. Smt. Sheila Kaul, erstwhile Union Minister for Education, Culture and Social Wel- fare relinquished it on January 1, 1985. This report covers the activities of the various wings of the Department of Education during the period 1984- 85. A separate Report has been brought out covering the activities of the Department of Culture.
Policy and Approach The Government has already initiated a comprehensive and in-depth review of the National Policy on Education.
Development of The Ministry has concluded an agreement with the National Informatics Computerised Management Centre (Department of Electronics) for developing Computerised Manage- Information System for the ment Information System for the Ministry of Education and Culture. In this Ministry context NIC has installed a Mini Computer Terminal in the Ministry. This Ter- minal works in conjunction with the Maxi Computer of the National Informat- ics Centre as part of its network.
Seventh Five-Year Plan Monitoring of Point 16 of the New 20-Point Programme relating to uni- and Annual Plan versalisation of elementary education and adult education continued to be a special responsibility of the Ministry. The Bureau of Planning, Monitoring & Statistics of the Ministry submitted periodical reports to the Planning Com- mission and Prime Minister's Office after collecting the requisite informa- tion from various States/Union Territories. The progress of Adult Education and Universalisation of elementary education was reviewed in the four Regi- onal Conferences of Education Secretaries of States/Union Territories under the Chairmanship of Union Education Secretary. In the light of the report of the Working Group on Monitoring & Evaluation for Education, it is proposed to strengthen the monitoring, evaluation and statistical machinery. Accordingly, special provision is being made in the Seventh Plan and in the Annual Plan 1985-86 both in the Central and State Sectors.
Educational Statistics The Ministry has initiated action to implement as many as 35 recommen- dations made by the High Level Committee to review the system of educati- onal statistics in the country. Some of the important recommendations in which action has been initiated are as follows:
a) Organisation of Fifth All India Educational Survey by NCERT.
b) Modification of forms for collection of educational statistics to meet the demand of various user organisations.
(v)
c) To introduce a system of collection of data in respect of recognised non-formal courses like Chartered Accountancy, AMIE, Cost Accountancy, Company Secretary etc.
d) Strengthening of statistical machinery in the Ministry.
e) To undertake a pilot project on 'Computerisation of Educational Sta- tistics in Uttar Pradesh'.
Education of Scheduled Castes Special Component Plan for Scheduled Castes and Tribal Sub-Plan and Scheduled Tribes for Scheduled Tribes for the year 1985-86 has been prepared for the Ministry of Education and Culture. 18% and 10% of the total divisible outlay have been earmarked for these two component Plans respectively out of the total divisible outlay for the Annual Plan for the year 1985-86.
Education of Minorities University Grants Commission has initiated a scheme of coaching classes for educationally backward minorities to prepare them for admission to Civil Service Examinations and other recruitments at the all India level. Nineteen universities and 15 colleges have been given grants under this scheme. Ten polytechnics have been selected under the scheme of commun- ity polytechnics to impart training in various skills/trades to the youth belonging to minority communities through short-term training courses.
Textbooks are being reviewed from the stand point of national integra- tion. A new Scholarship Scheme has been worked out for production of material in Urdu for adult education etc. and coaching classes at various levels. Voluntary organisations are being given assistance to impart Adult Education with a view to eradicating illiteracy among the minority groups in the age group 15-35.
Elementary Education Provision of free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years is a constitutional goal. According to the policy frame of. the Sixth Five Year Plan, reinforced by the New Twenty Point Pro- gramme, the target year for reaching the constitutional goal of universal ele- mentary education is 1989-90. Elementary Education is a component of the minimum needs programme of the Plan.
The programme of universalisation has been pursued during this year also with great intensity, both in the Ministry of Education and in the States/ Union Territories. Some of the important steps taken in this regard are listed below:-
- Holding of regional conferences of State Education Secretaries to take stock of the present position, identify problems and decide on the steps needed for fulfilling the targets. Six such regional conferences were held during the year at Mysore on April 7, 1984, for the States and Union Territories in the Southern Region, at Shillong on April 16, 1984, for the States and Union Territories in the North Eastern Region, and again in all the four regions viz., at Calcutta on Septem- ber 13-14,1984; at Bhopal on September 18-19, 1984; at Bangalore on September 25-26,1984; and at Simla on September 28-29,1984.
(vi)
- Holding of a meeting of Education Secretaries and Education Minis-
ters at New Delhi on May 23-24, 1984, which inter-alia reviewed the
position of, Universalisation of Elementary Education.
- Meeting of the National Committee on Point 16 of the Twenty-Point
Programme as part of the conference of Education Secretaries on
May 23-24, 1984, to review the progress of universalisation in the
nine educationally backward States in particular.
- Meeting of the State Task Force on Elementary Education in the nine
educationally backward States.
- Mounting of a national campaign on universalisation of Elementary
Education, as was done in 1983-84, for intensive efforts for increasing
the enrolment and retention at the elementary stage. Follow-up
action was proposed through out the academic year. Special empha-
sis in this year's campaign was laid on reducing the rate of drop-outs.
Additional enrolment during 1984-85 in classes I-VIII is likely to exceed
the target of 50.29 lakhs fixed under the 20-Point Programme. According to
the present indications, additional enrolment during 1980-85 at the elemen-
tary stage is likely to somewhat, exceed the target of 180 lakhs. Comprehen-
sive measures have also been envisaged and undertaken to reduce the high
drop-out rates at the elementary stage and for improving the retention rates.
In addition, during 1984-85 the coverage of children under alternate sup-
portive system of Non-Formal Education (NFE) is expected to be of the order
of 32.10 lakhs in 1,73,700 centres. The nine educationally backward States
account for 29.12 lakhs through 1,62,117 centres, including 20,700 centres
exclusively for girls.
The Central/Centrally sponsored schemes of (i) assistance to the nine
educationally backward States for NFE programme, (ii) assistance to volun-
tary organisations in the States for running NFE Centres, (iii) assistance to
academic institutions for experiments/innovative projects in the field of NFE,
(iv) assistance to voluntary organisations in nine educationally backward
States for running early childhood education centres and (v) assistance to the
nine educationally backward States for appointment of women teachers in
primary schools were continued and expanded during 1984-85.
To give a further boost to the programme of universalisation of elemen-
tary education and to give recognition for excellence in performance for
spread of girls' education, a scheme of incentive/awards which was started in
1983-84 is being continued during 1984-85. An amount of Rs. 7.00 crore is
available for giving awards at different administrative levels viz. Panchayat
Blocks/Tribal Development Blocks, Districts and States/Union Territories.
With the assistance of UNICEF, various experimental projects in the field
of primary education had been taken up with a view to improving the quality
of education. These projects are being vigorously pursued. The projects are
being evaluated this year, so that during the next Master Plan of operation of
(vii)
1985-90, which is being finalised now, necessary amendments can be incor- porated.
Computer Education Computers are transforming the management systems and indeed the In Schools economy of the industrialised nations the world over. In order that the country keeps its rightful place in the comity of nations, steps are being taken to create computer awareness in schools and skilled manpower which would be at home in the rapidly changing environment. A pilot project for introduc- ing Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools has been launched in 250 selected schools, in collaboration with the department of Electronics who is funding it, and will begin in schools from February, 1985. The pilort project will continue in 1985-86 with an addition of 1000 schools. The NCERT is the nodal agency for the project. The evaluation is being done by the Space Application Centre.
Educational Technology The educational technology cells continue to be strengthened to take on Programme the responsibility of producing educational radio/TV programmes and train- ing personnel in the use of educational technology for improving the quality of education and widening access to it. In the six INSAT States, ETV programme production centres are making good progress and are likely to become fully operational in 1986. The CIET continues to share the produc- tion responsibility of the INSAT ETV service with Doordarshan.
Higher Education The student enrolment in universities and colleges increased from 31.33 lakhs in 1982-83 to 33.59 lakhs in 1983-84. The rate of growth was 7.2% against 6.1% in the previous year. The enrolment of women students increased from 8.00 lakhs during 1982-83 to 9.77 lakhs in 1983-84. The per- centage of the women students increased from 28.1% during 1982-83 to 29.1% in 1983-84. The University Grants Commission continued to pursue the policy of improvement of standards and quality of education and removal of disparities and regional imbalances in higher education. Science educa- tion and promotion of Gandhian and Nehru studies received special atten- tion under U.G.C.'s programmes of quality improvement. The University Grants Commission proposes to develop facilities at the national level for use of university scientists in the field of Nuclear Science, Materials Research, Laser and Fibre Optics, Astrophysics, Astronomy, Bio-technology and Envi- ronment Science and Mass Communication and Educational Technology. Higher Education among Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes continued to receive emphasis with the financial assistance provided by the U.G.C. for spe- cial programmes for these groups.
Technical Education The development of Technical Education has been given high priority in the planning process of independent India. Expansion and diversion of the facilities of Technical Education had been carried out steadily through the dif- ferent Five-Year Plans and the system is now in a position to offer facilities of education and training for degree courses to over 28,000 students per year and for diploma courses to over 58,000 students per year in wide ranging dis- ciplines. Facility for post-graduate and research programmes have been created in practically all the well-established technical institutions. During the Sixth Plan, major emphasis has been on (a) consolidation, (b) optimum
(viii)
utilisation of existing facilities, (c) expansion of facilities in areas where weak- ness exists, (d) creation of infrastructure in areas of emerging technologies vital for the development of the country, (e) improvement of quality and stan- dards of education and (f) furtherance of national efforts to develop and apply science and technology as an instrument of country's socioeconomic pro- gress. During the Seventh Plan, work on important schemes of the Sixth Plan are proposed to be continued with vigour, besides introducing new schemes on a number of other areas to support our industrial growth and to imple- ment the socioeconomic objectives of a modern welfare state.
Adult Education Adult Education has been included in the Minimum Needs Pro- gramme in the Sixth Five Year Plan with a goal of reaching cent per-cent coverage of adults in the age group 15-35 by 1990. It also constitutes part of Point 16 of the New Twenty Point Programme. Government have evolved certain strategies and action-Plan to reach the goal by laying emphasis on coverage of the districts having literacy rate below the national average; coverage of special target groups e.g.; women, Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections of the society; participation of the youth and the students in universities and colleges in literacy programmes; mobili- sation of voluntary agencies and use of mass media. Special efforts have been made to strengthen post-literacy and follow-up activities to avoid relapse into illiteracy of the neo-literates. During the year, nearly 50 lakhs learners have so far been enrolled in various Central and Centrally spon- sored schemes. Approximately 65 lakhs are expected to be enrolled by end of March, 1985. The implementation of the programme is being monitored regularly and quarterly progress reports on the performance under different sectors of the programmes are furnished to the Government. Besides, the quality of implementation of the programme has been reviewed from time to time at Conferences of the national and regional level. In addition to internal evaluation of the programme, a number of quality institutions involved in Social Science Research are also involved in evaluation of the programme; suggestions made as a result of these evaluations are implemented to improve performance under the programme. Several visits were made to dif- ferent countries to study their programmes of adult education with a view to adopting their strategies to enrich the programme. The Directorate of Adult Education, a subordinate office of the Ministry, continued to provide techni- cal and resource support to the programme through a network of its activi- ties.