(i) Indo-US Commission 16.17.3 A meeting of the Indo-US Sub-Commission on Education and Culture was held on March 29-30, 1990 in New Delhi where priority areas of activity on Education and Culture for the years 1990-1991, 1991-1992 and 1992-93 were identified for cooperative action.
(ii) SAARC Activities 16.17.4 The first meeting of the SAARC Technical Committee on Education held in August, 1989, identified the following seven areas for cooperation :-
- Women & Education - Maldives
- Literacy, Post-Literacy and Continuing Education India.
- Science and Technical Education - Pakistan
- Education for the under-served areas and Groups Bhutan
- Educational Research - Sri Lanka
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Modernisation of Curriculum - Bangladesh
The Science Meeting of the Committee was held in September, 1990 at Dhaka.
16.17.5 During the year under report, India hosted the Expert group meeting on Literacy, Post-Literacy and Continuing Education. This meeting was held in New Delhi from 15th to 18th June, 1990. It identified the operational constraints and deficiences in recommendations on the approach which needed to be adopted in the relevant areas. The establishment of a National Resource Centre (NRC) in each country was recommended. The Directorate of Adult Education, Department of Education was identified as the NRC for India.
16.17.6 The meeting also recommended the establishment of a SAARC Regional Resource Centre for Literacy, Post-Literacy and Continuing Education to receive and collect documentation and disseminated information, organise study visits, undertake joint studies and conduct Expert Committee meetings. India was requested temporarily to coordinate the activities of the SAARC Resource Network till the constitution of the SAARC Centre.
16.7.7 India also participated in the following SAARC activities:-
Expert Group meeting on Universal primary education.
Conference on Education and Women involved in educational areas.
Expert Group meeting on Science and Technology Education.
Expert Group meeting on Educational Research.
The 2nd meeting of SAARC Technical Committee on Education was held in Dhaka in September, 1990. The meeting reviewed the status of implementation of the activities included in the calendar of activities for 1990 and also discussed about the activities proposed to be included in the 1991 calendar of activities.
(iii)Technical Cooperation Among Developing Countries (TCDC) Developing Countries with financial assistance from UNDP the Department deputed senior level officials of Central and State Governments to different developing countries for Training/Orientation in selected areas' in the field of education. The following teams were deputed :-
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i) An eight member team of Indian Officials visited Bangladesh from 15 to 17 January, 1990, Thailand from 19 to 22 January, 1990 and Indonesia from 24 to 27 January, 1990 for training/orientation in the field of Universalisation of Primary Education.
(ii) An Indian team consisting of six specialists was deputed to China and Philippines from 23 March to 10 April, 1990 for Training/Orientation in the field of Women's Development and Education for Women's equality, respectively.
Visitors from abroad 16.18.1 Mr. Yahya Aliyu, Chairman of Executive Board of Unesco visited India on March 3-4, 1990. Among other engagements, he had a meeting with the Additional Secretary, Department of Education and discussed matters of mutual interest.
16.18.2 Mr. James W. Wentworth, Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, Namibia visited India in May, 1990. Mr Wentworth, had among other engagements, a meeting with the Secretary, Department of Education on 21 May, 1990 and discussed matters of mutual interest with a view to extending cooperation within the framework of India- Namibia bilateral arrangements.
16.18.3 A three-member delegation from Zimbabwe visited India in August, 1990. The delegation visited some technical/vocational institutions in India. The delegation had discussions with Director, NCERT and also had a meeting with the Educaiton Secretary, the Additional Secretary and other officers of the Department of Education and discussed measures to further strengthen mutual cooperation.
16.18.4 on the invitation of the Minister of Human Resource Development, the Education Minister of Scychelles, Mrs. Simone Testa visited India from 30th January to 8th February 1991. She was accompanied by Mr. Bernard Shyamlye, Director of Education. The main purpose of her visit was to have first-hand knowledge of the Education system in India and to gather fresh inputs for incorporation in the Education Policy of Scychelles, based on India's experience. The visiting minister met the Minister for Human Resource Development and paid visits to NCERT, UGC, NIEPA etc. and had useful discussions with officers and staff there. She also visited Indian Institute of Technology at Bombay, Technical Teachers Training Institute, Madras and members of other institutions.
Participation Programme of Unesco 16.19.0 Under the Participation Programme, Unesco provides financial assistance to various institutions and organisations of member States who are engaged in promotion of programmes and activities of Unesco, for undertaking innovative projects which
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would contribute at the national, sub-regional, regional and international levels to the implementation of the objectives defined by General Conference of Unesco. During the biennium 1990-1991, a total number of 22 requests were submitted to Unesco of which 10 have till now been approved at a total value of US Dollars 1,09,200/.
Education for International Understanding : Unesco Clubs and
Associated Schools.16.20.1 While the Unesco Clubs are voluntary bodies engaged in the promotion of aims and objective of the organisation, the associated schools are educational institutions which are directly linked with Unesco Secretariat for participation in the Associated Schools Project for undertaking activities relating to education for international understanding, cooperation and peace. The educational institutions under the Associated Schools Project are selected by Unesco on the recommendation of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco. Thirty-seven Schools and Teacher Training Institutes from India are enlisted with Unesco under this project.
16.20.2 The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco is the national coordinating agency for Unesco Clubs and Associated Schools. There are about 250 Unesco Clubs which are registered with INC. Unesco Clubs and Associated Schools are provided with material and financial support for undertaking activities designed to promote the aims and objects of Unesco such as celebration of international days and years, organisation of meetings, debates, contexts to promote international understanding, cooperation and peace.
16.20.3 The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco requested Unesco Clubs and Associated Schools to organise special programmes in connection with 'Fight against Illiteracy' and 'Protection of Environment'. Various Unesco Clubs and Associated Schools have taken initiative in organising numerous activities related to the aforesaid topic. The Indian National Commission has instituted prizes for the students and also extended financial assistance for conduct of appropriate activities.
Fifteenth Photo Contest in Asia and the Pacific 16.21.0 The Indian National Commission for Unesco has been extending its cooperation to the Asian Cultural Centre for Unesco (ACCU), Japan in annual participation in the photo contests organised by the latter. In the 15th Photo Contest in Asia and the Pacific eleven persons from India have been selected for the award of prizes.
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Scheme for awards to Excellent Young Scientists 16.21.1 In order to encourage basic sciences and their applications in the key areas of science and technology, Unesco's Regional Office (ROSTSCA) in New Delhi has set up an award scheme for excellent young Scientists who are under 35 years of age and postgraduates. Selected awardees under the scheme are provided by Unesco with financial assistance (approximately US $ 500/-) to enable them to participate in Unesco activities in basic and applied sciences or to visit Centres of Excellence in one's field of specialisation.
16.21.2 On the recommendations of the Indian National commission for Unesco, Unesco have selected ten young scientists for award for the year 1989 under the Scheme.
Awards for Women Scientists 16.22.0 For the year 1990 Unesco have decided to honour the women scientists for their special contributions in their area of research and study in priority areas of basic and applied sciences. On the recommendations of the Indian National commission for Unesco, ROSTSCA have selected eight young women scientists from India for award under the Scheme.
International Literacy Prizes 16.23.1 Unesco has instituted International Literacy Prizes and Honourable mentions which are awarded annually in recognition of the services of Institutions, organisations or individuals displaying outstanding merit and achieving special success in contributing to the fight against illiteracy. The award of the prize is also intended to stimulate the sympathy and support of public opinion for literacy programmes in progress.
16.23.2 The prizes instituted by Unesco under the International Literacy Awards are :-
1. Nadezhda K. Krupskaya Prize 2. International Reading Association Literacy Award 3. Noma Prize 4. Iraq Literacy Prize 5. King Sejong Literacy Prize
16.23.3 The Indian National Commission for Cooperation -with Unesco, Department of Education had submitted the candidature of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, Trivandrum to Unesco.
16.23.4 The Unesco has awarded King Sejong Literacy Prize to the Parishad for its outstanding contribution to the fight against
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illiteracy. The value of the Prize is US $ 30,000/-. The Prize was presented by Director General, Unesco to the representative of the Parishad at a function in Geneva on September 8, 1990.
Unesco Coupons Programme 16.24.0 The Commission continued to operate the Unesco International Coupons Scheme designed to assist individuals and institutions working in the fields of Education, Science, Culture and Communication to import their bonafide requirements of educational publications, Scientific equipment, educational films etc. from abroad without undergoing the foreign exchange and import control formalities. The total sale of Unesco Coupons during 1990 amounts to US $ 13,325/-.
Publication of Indian Language editions of 'Unesco Courier' 16.25.0 'Unesco Courier' is an outstanding educational and cultural periodical of the world which is brought out by Unesco. The Indian National Commission continued to bring out its Hindi and Tamil editions. The language versions enjoy a wide circulation amongst educational institutions, libraries, Unesco Clubs, Associated Schools and the public at large.
Scheme of Financial Assistance to Voluntary Bodies. Unesco Clubs
and Associated Schools. 16.26.0 The Commission is operating a scheme of financial assistance to Voluntary organisations, Unesco Clubs and Associated Schools for undertaking activities aimed at the promotion of ideals and objectives of Unesco. During the year under review, grant-in-aid worth Rs. 65,000/- has been sanctioned so far to the different bodies.
Auroville 16.27.1 The management of Auroville was taken over by the Central Government under Auroville (Emergency) Provisions Act, 1980 for a temporary period with a view to overcoming certain problems which had cropped up as a result of mismanagement of the project. During the period the management of the Auroville vested in the Central Government, the township had been able to develop along several important lines. In order to making long term arrangements for the proper management and further development of Auroville and also for the purpose of encouraging, continuing and consolidating the various activities, the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988 was enacted which came into force on 28th September, 1988. Under this Act, the establishment of the Auroville Foundation was enacted which came into force on 28th September, 1988. Under this Act, the establishment of the Auroville Foundation was notified by the Central Government on 29th January,
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1991. It is to comprise of a Governing Board, Resident Assembly and Auroville International Advisory Council. The Governing Board of the Foundation has also been constituted. Dr. Karan Singh has been nominated as its Chairman. The other individual members of the Board are : (1) Shri N. Krishnan (2) Dr. (Smt.) Kapila Vatsyayan (3) Shri Kireet Joshi (4) Ashi Patel (5) Begam Bilkis Latif (6) Dr. A. Das Gupta.
The Central Government shall also have two representatives on the Board. The first meeting of the Board was held at Auroville on 28th February, 1991.
Aurovillians has also elected its working committee consisting of 7 members.
16.27.3 The Constitution of the International Advisory Committee is under active consideration of the Government.
16.27.4 For the time being all properties in Auroville vest in the 'Custodian' appointed by the Government. Under the Act, these are likely to be vested in the Foundation soon. For the purpose of enabling the Foundation to discharge its functions under the Act, the Central Government may pay to the Foundation such sums of money as the Government consider necessary by way of grant, loans or otherwise.
16.27.5 A scheme for development of Auroville in the educational sector had been included in the Seventh Five Year Plan with an outlay of Rs. 35.55 Lakhs. The scheme reflected three important concerns viz; (i) need for continuing education commencing from earliest stages of childhood; (ii) need for synthesis of knowledge and culture, and (iii) need to provide a stable base for allround development of Auroville and surrounding villages. The schemes is to continue in the eighth five year plan also with requisite modifications.
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