* Estimated
International Mathematical Olympiad 6.8.1 The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is held every year with a view to identify and nurturing talent in mathematics at school level.
6.8.2 Indian delegation participated in IMO-1994 held in Hongkong during July 1994. India ranked 16th out of 69 participating countries. The, Indian team won 3 silver and 3 bronze medals. IMO-1996 will be held in India.
Cultural Exchange Programme 6.9.0 Under this scheme financial assistance is provided to meet the cost of travel and stay of Indian delegation going abroad and foreign delegation coming to India.
Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools (CLASS) 6.10.1 A pilot project on Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools (CLASS) was initiated in 1984-85 in consultation with Department of Electronics. The broad objectives of the pilot project included, demystification of Computers and to provide `Hands on' experience. The project has been continued upto 1992-93 on adhoc basis and funds to the tune of Rs. 4.5 crores were provided each year. 2598 schools were covered upto 1992-93.
6.10.2 The CLASS Project has been evaluated by a number of agencies, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The C&AG report identified multiplicity of agencies, diffused responsibility, inadequate monitoring etc.
6.10.3 Keeping these drawbacks in view,a modified scheme has been prepared and is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme from 1993-94.
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6.10.4 The National Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of Education Secretary is responsible for monitoring and supervision of the project. At State/UT levels, cells set up for this purpose discharge the dual responsibility of monitoring and actual implementation of the scheme in the schools and of releasing the funds to the implementing agencies.
6.10.5 Rs. 146.00 crores has been provided for implementing the scheme during the Eighth Plan. This amount is for maintaining 2598 schools already covered under the old scheme as well as for including 1820 additional schools during the Eighth Plan. 218 additional schools were covered during 1993-94. It is proposed to cover 300 additional schools during the year 1994-95.
The National Population Education Project (NPEP) 6.11.1 The National Population Education Project was launched in April 1980. It completed its first cycle in 1985 and the second cycle in 1992. Its current third cycle which has started from January 1993, will be coterminus with the Eighth Five Year Plan.
6.11.2 The project is directed to attain the objective of institutionalising population education in schools and non-formal education system. As an educational response to population issues, population education aims at making learners aware of the interrelationship between population development, resources, environment and quality of life, developing in them rational attitude and responsible behaviour and initiating in them positive value orientation so that they may take informed decisions on various population issues according to small family norms.
6.11.3 The NPEP is funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNESCO provides technical support through its country Support Team (CST), based in Kathmandu (Nepal). The NPEP is being implemented by the NCERT. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is the nodal agency.
6.11.4 The Project is being implemented in 29 States and, Union Territories, the States of Goa and Meghalaya and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep remaining out of its fold. The Akashvani and Doordarshan, Family Planning Association of India and other non-government agencies are involved in relevant project activities at national and state level.
6.11.5 The main activities of the project include (i) development of curricular and instructional materials to ensure effective integration of population education in the curricula of school education, non-formal education and teacher education; (ii) development of training materials and audio-visual materials; (iii) development of materials. on emerging concerns; (iv) orientation of teachers, teacher educators and other functionaries; (v) Organisation of co-curriculum activities in schools and NFE centres; (vi) promotion of research and evaluation studies in population education; and (vii) monitoring of project activities at national, state and local level.
6.11.6 A Budget of Rupees One Crore per annum has been provided for the implementation of NPEP.
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Integrated Education for the Disabled Children 6.12.1 The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Education for the Disabled Children which was launched by the erstwhile Department of Social Welfare in 1974, was transferred to the Department of Education in 1982. The scheme is framed on the premise that children with mild handicaps make better progress academically and psychologically if they study in common schools along side `normal' children. The Scheme provides 100% financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations/ Voluntary Organisations for creating necessary facilities in schools. Assistance is also given, through UGC, to selected Universities/Institutions for running training courses in special education for teachers of the handicapped children. Training facilities are also provided by NCERT in the four regional Colleges of Education.
6.12.2 A UNICEF Project Integrated Education for the Disabled (PIED) is also being implemented which envisages development of specific strategies for education of children with disabilities in general schools. One block each in the States of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Orissa, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu and the Municipal Corporations of the Delhi and Baroda are covered under this project.
6.12.3 The scheme was reviewed in 1992 and the financial ceilings in respect of training of teachers and educational administrators, construction of resource rooms, and strengthening of the administrative machinery at block level etc., were increased from the year 1992-93.
6.12.4 The POA, 1992 emphasises the need to integrate the handicapped with normal children. It also recommends the strengthening of the inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee so that it becomes an effective mechanism for review and monitoring of the programmes for the welfare of the handicapped.
6.12.5 Keeping in view the fact that there is an acute shortage of braille textbooks in the country, it has been decided to set up 4 Text Creation Units in the four regions of the country.
6.12.6 So far 24 States/UTs have been assisted under the scheme. About 40,000 children spread over 9,000 schools have been covered. A much larger number are receiving indirect benefit through special teachers and other learning material. A large number of voluntary organisations have also been provided financial assistance under the scheme.
Yoga in Schools 6.13.0 The place of Yoga in physical education has been established. Keeping in view the provisions of NPE, 1986, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Introduction of Yoga in Schools was launched in 1989-90. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided for training of teachers in Yoga and for building the infrastructure necessary for the purpose. In addition, institutions of all India character are given assistance for maintenance as well as developmental expenditure for promotion of basic research and/or for teachers training programme in various aspects of Yoga other than the therapeutical aspect. Financial assistance to Yoga institutions for promotion of therapeutical aspect is being extended by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
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National Award to Teachers 6.14.1 The Scheme of National Awards for Teachers was started in the year 1958-59 with the object of raising the prestige of teachers and giving public recognition to the meritorious services of outstanding teachers working in Primary, Middle and Higher Secondary Schools. In 1967-68 the scope of the scheme was enlarged to cover the teachers of Sanskrit Pathashalas, Tolls etc. run on traditional lines. In 1976 the scheme was further enlarged to cover Arabic/Persian teachers of madrasas run on traditional lines. From the Award Year 1993 the Scheme has further been enlarged to cover teachers from Sainik Schools, Navodaya Vidyalayas and schools run by the Atomic Energy Education Society. Each award carries a certificate of merit a cash payment of Rs. 10,000/- and silver medal. The number of awards given have been increased from 296 to 302 from the award year 1993.
6.14.2 Two hundred and seventy teachers were selected for the National Award for 1993. For the National Award 1994 selection process is in progress.
National Council of Educational Research and Training 6.15.1 The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), an autonomous Organisation, was established in 1961 to bring about qualitative improvement in school education and teacher education. It functions as a resource centre to the government in the field of school education and teacher education. The NCERT undertakes programmes related to research, development and training extension and dissemination of educational innovations etc., through various constituent Departments at the headquarters in New Delhi and 17 Field Offices all over the country.
6.15.2 Implementation of various programmes related to universalisation of elementary education; enriching secondary and higher secondary education; improving quality of teacher education; promoting educational research/innovations and their dissemination; utilisation of educational technology; production of science equipments; and centrally sponsored schemes for improvement of school education in the states is in progress.
Pre-Primary and Primary Education to achieve UEE 6.15.3 Academic inputs were provided to the States in the formulation of district plans under the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP). Four of the six beneficiary studies, preparatory to project formulation, were completed and their findings were shared with the local people in the district level workshops, A National Seminar was organised to review the DPEP studies with State level programme managers, researchers, and planners to work out the implications of studies for evolving programme interventions. An international seminar on research based interventions in primary education was organised to share the findings of the DPEP studies with international community including UNESCO, UNICEF, European Union, IDA, ODA and other such international agencies which are involved in the DPEP and have funded similar programmes in primary education in other day developing countries with a view to learn from their experiences in other countries.
6.15.4 The data of the Learning Achievement Survey of Primary students, conducted in the six DPEP states, was subjected to further sophisticated statistical analysis to study the differences between students within a grade, school, district and at state level.
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6.15.5 Two of the national components of the DPEP related to programme evaluation research and studies and instructional materials for training primary teachers were formulated and action initiated to implement them.
Minimum Levels of Learning 6.15.6 A national seminar was organised to take stock of the outcome of studies sponsored by the MHRD to examine the efficacy of implementing the Minimum Levels of Learning (MLLs) ideology, including the NCERT study. The exercise to synthesize the findings of various studies undertaken by the NGOs, Universities and others in this context is nearing completion. Preliminary findings of this study were presented in the national seminar. Efforts are on to develop a framework for the MLLs at upper primary and other stages of school education.
Early Childhood Education 6.15.7 A model kit on Early Childhood Education (ECE) for Anganwadi workers was completed. The Education for All project of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the interventions in the Delhi ICDS project were nearing completion. Resource materials on Early Childhood Education for teachers were ready for printing in the form of a Guidebook for Anganwadi workers. A study on the state of the art of the Early Childhood Education in India was completed. Audio programmes for parental awareness and for children with special needs were developed. A film "Meri Pyari Anganwadi" was produced for catering to the needs of the younger children. A training programme on child-to-child approach under the Area Intensive Education Project (AIEP) for Human Resource Development was organised. The progress of ECE in 12 States was reviewed.
Education of Tribal Children at Primary Stage 6.15.8 Studies were completed on problems of tribal children at primary stage in five of the six DPEP states. Findings were presented in the district, national and international seminars.
Educational Problems of the Girl Child 6.15.9 Studies on gender issues at primary school stage were completed in 21 districts in the six DPEP states and a synthesis report was brought out. The study on problems of women teachers was initiated.
Admission Tests for Navodaya Vidyalayas 6.15.10 The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas admission tests were designed and administered. Special admission tests were organised for the newly opened Navodaya Vidyalayas during 1994-95 which were in addition to the routine two tests per session.
Educational Toys 6.15.11 Toy making competitions at the state and the national level to promote making of low cost teaching-learning materials by teachers continued.
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CHEER Project 6.15.12 The Children Enrichment through Radio (CHEER) project was continued. The monthly guidelines were prepared and supplied to the user teachers.
Non-Formal Education 6.15.13 A training programme was organised for functionaries of District Resource Units (DRUs). Work on development of profiles of Non-formal Education in the States and the Union Territories continued. Studies on education of working children and street children are being conducted. A workshop was organised to modify the DRU manual in the light of the new developments in the field of NFE vis-a-vis the Total Literacy Campaign (TLC), the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) and the role of DRU in "Education for All". Teaching-Learning materials in NFE were analysed.
Examination Reforms 6.15.14 Development and extension activities in the use of evaluation for diagnostic purpose, training of paper setters, examiners, comprehensive continuous evaluation (CCE), and question bank continued. An appraisal of the National Talent Search (NTS) Examination 1994 is in progress.
Certain other Programmes in Elementary Education 6.15.15 At the instance of the MHRD, an Impact Study of the Operation Blackboard (OB) Scheme in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu was conducted and its report submitted. Workshops were organised to develop instructional materials (modules) for NCERT-IGNOU Teachers Training Programmes. Programmes on analysis of textbooks of some States from the standpoint of core concerns mentioned in the National Policy of Education (NPE) were organised.
6.15.16 At the request of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration training needs of the Primary school teacher were identified and a comprehensive orientation programme for Master Trainers was organised.
Revision of Textbooks 6.15.17 Special task forces were set up to review the school textbooks with a view to revise them for the next five to seven years. The revised editions will be available from the next academic session in Science and Mathematics as well as Social Sciences and Humanities.
National Talent Search (NTS) 6.15.18 The tests and interviews were organised and 750 scholarships were awarded. An appraisal of the NTS programme was also initiated to make it more effective. In collaboration with the National Board of Higher Mathematics (NBHM), a scheme of Mathematics Talent Search (MTS) was introduced with a provision for 50 NITS scholarship and for identifying students who could be sponsored for the National and International Mathematical Olympiads.
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Certain Other Programmes in Secondary Education 6.15.19 A national workshop was organised to develop guidelines to formulate special enabling mechanism plan and action programme for promoting girls education at the secondary stage.
6.15.20 A workshop was organised for identification of training needs of the mathematics teachers. An orientation programme was organised for training of teachers in the use of computers as a teaching aid. Activities for development of Test items for Question Bank continued.
6.15.21 The NCERT continued working on development of prototypes and batch production of Science and Mathematics Kits. Work on development of modules for the National Open School continued. The National Advisory Committee on Contemporary History of India met twice to discuss various issues. The revised Community singing programme is being tried out.
Vocationalisation of Education 6.15.22 Academic support was provided to the States and Union Territories to implement programmes on vocationalisation of education. In order to boost programmes and activities in vocational education, Pandit Sundar Lal Sharma, Central Institute of Vocational Education has been established at Bhopal under the NCERT, The curriculum in the areas of Banking, Dairying, Food Production and Processing, Accountancy and Auditing; and Building Maintenance was finalised to enrich the curricula in vocationalisation of education. An orientation programme in the area of prevocational education was organised.