INTRODUCTORY
1.1.0 The creation of the Ministry of Human Resource Development in September, 1985 is a landmark in the organisational history of the Union Government; it marks the institutionalisation of the seminal idea that the people of the country should be looked upon as the most valuable resource, that development should go beyond economic growth with its calculus of GNP, savings, investment and growth rate, and that, instead development should aim at the integrated development of the citizens, beginning with childhood and going right through life and drawing upon all factors having a bearing on the human condition, including science and technology, culture, education, arts and crafts, sports, humanities and human values. The main objective of the Ministry of Human Resource Development is to bring about coordinated and integrated approach in regard to programmes affecting human resource development. During the year 1990-91 the Ministry continued its endeavour in furthering this objective.
1.2.0 The Report of the Ministry of Human Resource Development is presented in three parts, each covering the following Departments :-
Part I Education
Part II Culture
Part III Youth Affairs and Sports
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 1.3.1 Universalisation of elementary education, adult education, adult literacy, equalisation of educational opportunities, women's education and development, vocationalisation of school education, consolidation of higher education, modernisation of technical education, improvement of quality, content and process of education at all levels continued to be the themes of national endeavour in the field of education. The year 1990 has been marked by two epoch making events. This year was declared by the United Nations as International Literacy Year, (ILY) and the World Conference on Education For All by the year 2000 was held at Jomtien, Thailand, in March 1990. These two events provided the much needed impetus and opportunity to all Governmental and nongovernmental agencies throughout the world to organise a large number of activities with a view to generate an intensive public awareness of and demand for education and to usher in a decade long plan of action for ensuring education for all by 2000 A.D. In India, observance of ILY assumes special significance due to the fact that about 50% of the world's illiterates live in India. ILY is indeed a watershed in our country's endeavour to eradicate illiteracy, which as Mahatma Gandhiji said is India's sin and shame. The year witnessed a tremendous upsurge in the demand for literacy mainly due to innovative use of cultural media and
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unprecedented mobilisation by several agencies including Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti. The success in Ernakulam - which was the first district to be declared fully literate in February 1990 served as a beacon light, inspiring people of many other districts to strive for achieving total literacy. Total literacy campaigns were taken up in the entire State of Kerala and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, in 100 taluks of Gujarat and in 42 districts in 10 States. On 18th April 1991 the entire State of Kerala was declared fully literate. Kerala takes pride in being Akshara Keralam. The feasibility of total literacy campaigns has been thus established. In consultation with State Governments and Non-Governmental organisations it should be possible to take up much longer programmes of illiteracy eradication and move towards the goal of Akshara Bharat.
1.3.2 Over the last few years there has been a qualitative change in the perceptions on primary education and adult education. A holistic view of basic education has replaced sectoral and narrow view of primary education, non-formal education and adult education. The concept of basic education has been evolved to explain this holistic view. In this context Basic Education comprises :
(a) Universalisation of Primary Education, viewed as a composite programme of (i) access to primary education for all children upto 14 years of age; (ii) universal participation till they complete the primary stage through formal or non-formal education programme; and (iii) universal achievement atleast of minimum levels of learning.
(b) Functional literacy, in which self-reliant skills in 3 Rs is emphasised, alongside relevant education relating to the needs of the individual, the family and the community;
(c) A special emphasis on women's education and development, in order that they move towards equality in education and become the instruments and beneficiaries of the development process; and
(d) Post-literacy, continuing education and inculcation of basic skills for survival and general well-being.
1.3.3 This concept received international validation at the World Conference on Education For All held in Jomtien, in March, 1990. The declaration adopted by the Jomtien Conference makes a fervent appeal to all nations and international agencies to take effective steps for achieving EFA by the year 2000 A.D. Efforts are afoot to formulate innovative basic education projects in the educationally backward States. In the year under review the first of such projects, the Bihar Education Project (BEP) was approved by the Government. BEP would cover all components of basic education and would be expanded in a phased manner to cover 20 districts over a period of 5 years. The outlay would be Rs. 360
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crores of which UNICEF would contribute Rs.180 crores, Government of India Rs.1.20 crores and Government of Bihar Rs. 60 crores. The BEP has been conceived as a societal mission for bringing about fundamental change in the basic education system and through it the overall socio-cultural situation.
1.3.4 Equalisation of educational opportunities continues to be stressed with focus on -
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Women
- Those living in backward areas, rural areas in general, urban slums, hilly regions, border and desert zones and outlying places of projects
- Educationally backward minorities
- The handicapped.
1.3.5 Access to education to those who cannot avail of whole day schooling - from primary to higher education levels continues to be provided through non-formal stream, the NFE programmes and open school and open university system. Education Technology in terms of mass media (television and radio), was increasingly pressed into service to facilitate access to Education.
1.3.6 Content of education was continuously oriented towards fundamental values and concerns - unity and integrity of the country, creation of cultural consciousness, democracy, secularism and socialism, equality of sexes, development of scientific temper, preservation of environment and population control.
1.3.7 Effective steps were taken to bring attention to bear on Learner Attainment and Minimum Levels of Lerning were laid down for the primary stage. A strategy to improve learning achievement in schools, introduce continuous comprehensive evaluation and relate inputs to the requirements for improving achievement was designed and put into action.
1.3.8 The strategies and instrumentalities followed for overall educational development continues to be -
- Involvement of States and Union Territories to facilitate consensus based decisions.
- Involvement of voluntary agencies.
- Mass mobilisation.
- Involvement, development and strengthening of national, State and private resource institutions.
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- International cooperation - bilateral, regional and multi-lateral.
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE 1.4.0 In the domain of culture the year 1990-91 can be described as a year of cultural resurgence. The thrust of most of the schemes and programmes in this area has been on dissemination of culture covering manifestations of a vast range of images of human creativity. The objective has been to promote, project and to preserve the myriad features of Indian culture in its rich diversity.
1.4.1 The Department of Culture continued its efforts for the preservation, promotion and enrichment of the cultural traditions of the country through its infrastructure and its supportive institutions in the fields of art, archaeology, anthropology, museums and libraries. An important development during the year was the finalisation of the report of the Review Committee on the working of the three National Akademies and the National School of Drama. The recommendations are being scrutinised by an Implementation Cell set up for the purpose. The Archaeological Survey of India made some significant discoveries during the year, including an inscription dating the 2nd Century B.C. in cave No. 4 of Pitalkhora (Maharashtra), a Brahmanical sculpture in a newly discovered cave at Ellora, rock paintings of Jhinjhari (Madhya Pradesh) and an early habitation site in Kolar District of Karnataka. The birth centenary celebrations of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Jamnalal Bajaj marked other important activities of the Department during the year. Mention may also be made of a special exhibition organised by the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti depicting "Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela's fight against racialism in South Africa" to mark the visit of Dr. Nelson Mandela to India.
1.4.2 In the international arena, twelve cultural exchange programmes with foreign countries, including those with Ghana and Rwanda for the first time, were signed/renewed during the year. The highlight was the signing of the Cultural Agreement between India and Namibia. The scope and spread of the Festival of India in Germany to be held in September, 1991 was finalised during the year. The Lalit Kala Akademi organised the "7th Triennale India", an international exhibition of art, in which 38 countries besides India participated. Mention may also be made of the India International Puppetry Festival and the India International Dance Festival held jointly by the Sangeet Natak Akedemi and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and the SAARC Workshop on Documentation of Musical Traditions organised by the Sangeet Natak Akedemi, in which all SAARC member countries participated.
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DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS 1.5.1 In the realm of Youth Affairs the year can be described as a year of consultation with Indian Youth to harness youth energy for nation building activities, while in sports our endeavour has been to achieve the twin goals of Sports for all and excellence in performance. A National Conference of Youth Leaders was convened in May, 1990 and on its recommendations a National Youth Council was constituted with Prime Minister as Chairman. A comprehensive new National Policy on Youth has been drafted and is under consideration of the Government.
1.5.2 National Service Scheme, a Programme for the student youth continued its efforts vigorously in adopted villages through regular programmes for community development thereby contributing to nation building activities through community services. National Service Volunteers also participated in and supported the efforts of the Government in the National Literacy Mission.
1.5.3 In order to revamp and restructure the Nehru Yuva Kendras Programme, which is for the non-student rural youth, the Committee of Secretaries recommended evaluation of the Programmes of Nehru Yuva Kendras through the Evaluation Cell of the Planning Commission and also a Committee to go into the recruitment of the staff of NYKs with a view to spruce up and restructure NYK.
1.5.4 A new scheme for promotion of youth activities among the youth of backward tribes was launched during the year and an amount of Rs. 75 lakhs was incurred through State Government agencies and voluntary organisations. Detailed item-wise programmes were circulated so that these programmes can be brought to the notice of various youth organisations working for the tribals.
1.5.5 The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports continued its effort in the areas of national integration camps, festivals for university students, adventure programmes and exhibition for youth. The Department also continued its effort for extending vocational training for youth with a view to prepare them to take up self- employment so that they will be able to earn a living. Scouts and Guides movements continued to grow in their activities and programmes to develop the personality of children and youth. 3,000 National Service Volunteers have been deployed at the grassroot level with financial assistance from the Department so that these young graduates and under-graduate youth will develop their personality and imbibe the spirit of social service and community development.
1.5.6 The Department associated with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti through the Nehru Yuva Kendras for organising the Communal Harmony Month during October 1990 in 250 districts of the country. This created a very positive impact in maintaining harmony in many parts of the country. The Department also sanctioned funds to voluntary organisations for the conduct of National Integration
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Camps in the riot-hit areas in Northern India. 1.5.7 The Department continued its effort in associating with Commonwealth Youth Programme and strengthened the activities of United Nations Volunteer programmes and particularly the United Nations participatory development programmes in the Asia region. This has brought about international understanding and a feeling of togetherness among the youth of this region.
1.5.8 In the field of Sports, the Department continued its efforts at broad-basing of Sports, particularly in the rural areas. Promotion of excellence for ensuring creditable performances in international events continued to be given the highest importance. The Sports Authority of India has emerged as the apex institution in the field of Sports particularly in the identification of talents, training of sports persons and development of sports academics. The scope of international cooperation in Sports was further widened and we have obtained coaches of high standing from China, Japan and Cuba apart from the USSR and other sources.
1.5.9 Intensive coaching of the National Teams for the XI Asian Games was organised and during these Games held in September-October, 1990, India won 23 Medals (1 Gold, 8 Silver and 14 Bronze). Earlier at the Commonwealth Games held in Newzealand in January-February, 1990 India had won 32 medals (13 Gold, 8 Silver and 11 Bronze), alongwith the Trafalgar Trophy for getting the maximum number of medals in weightlifting.
Commendable performances have been shown by Indian sportspersons in other events too :
- India won the World Billiards Championship in August, 1990;
- Shri Vishwanath Anand became the second Asian to qualify for the Candidate Matches leading to the World Championship;
- Shri Dibyendu Barua became the second Indian Grand Master;
- India won a Bronze medal in the Flyweight Category in the 6th World Cup Boxing Championship in November, 1990 (this is the first ever medal won in Boxing World Championship) held in Bombay.
World standards in Sports are steadily going up and it has been endeavour of the Department to ensure that Indian participants also show all-round improvements in all the events.
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