15.6.0 The Department of Education has been bringing out periodical reports about the progress of implementation of the NPE, 1986. Implementation Reports as on 30.6.88 and 30.11.88 were brought out and circulated to all concerned, including members of the Consultative Committee of Parliament attached to the Ministry of HRD. The Consultative Committee considered these reports at its meetings held on 2nd December, 1988 and 15.2.89.

Annual Action Plan

15.7.0 Annual Action Plan (AAP) for the year 1988-89-reflecting objectives under different programmes, time-frame for accomplishment of goals, achievement of physical and financial targets for the year 1988-89-was prepared. Quarterly progress reports of AAP, 1988-89 were regularly sent to the Cabinet Secretariat.

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Scheme of Assistance for Studies, Seminars, Evaluation etc. for Implementation of Education Policy

15.8.1 The Scheme of assistance for studies, seminars, evaluation etc., for implementation of education policy aims at resolving problems relating to the formulation, implementation and evaluation of education development programmes.

15.8.2 The scheme is intended to provide financial assistance to deserving institutions and individuals on the merits of each proposal having a direct bearing on the management and sponsoring of seminars, conduct of impact and evaluation studies, consultancy assignments in order to advise the Government of the best alternatives and models for making the system work.

15.8.3 Financial assistance, upto a maximum of Rs. 1 lakh is given under this scheme for each approved proposal. During 1988-89 organisation of eight seminars and two regional projects was approved. Assistance was also given for dissemination of information about educational developments and preparation of a video film on non-formal education.

15.9.1 In view of the concerns of the National Policy on Education, 1986 and POA, and in consideration of the fact that the Central Government have come to work in partnership with the State Governments in a significant way in the area of education, Monitoring and Evaluation has come to be attached special importance. In the conference of State Education Secretaries and Directors held in September, 1988, it was agreed on all sides that monitoring should not be mere assessment of financial and physical targets but should be a basic assessment of the progress towards established goals. The following areas have been identified for priority attention:

* Progress towards universalisation of Elementary Education in terms of completion of specified number of years of schooling by specific age levels, retention in schools and attainment of competencies;

* Establishment of Management Information System to assess progress in NonFormal Education-to facilitate quantitative and qualitative assessment as well as learner evaluation;

* Progress in Science Education;

* Progress in vocationalisation;

* Conformity to academic calendars in universities;

* Progress in modernisation and development of thrust areas in Technical Education;

* Adult Literacy including learner evaluation.

15.9.2 Steps to establish monitoring systems in regard to these priority areas are under different stages of action. An Expert Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary, Department of Education, in fact, gave its interim recommendations for a monitoring system in respect of Universal Elementary Education etc. which were discussed in the conference of State Education Secretaries in September, 1988. Based on these discussions and on the basis of subsequent stocktaking, it is proposed to associate the Indian Institute of Management in the effort.

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