BASIC,SOCIAL AND AUDIO-VISUAL EDUCATION
BASIC, SOCIAL AND AUDIO-VISUAL EDUCATION
BASIC AND ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Standing Committee on Basic Education.-The Standing Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education appointed in 1955 to advise the Government of India and State Governments on matters pertaining to Basic Education, held five meetings altogether and made valuable recommendations which have been taken up for implementation by the Government of India and State Governments. One important recommendation of the Standing Committee was the establishment of a Model Basic School at New Delhi. Exploratory work in this connection has been taken in hand.
Assessment Committee.-The Assessment Committee on Basic Education, appointed during 1955-56, has submitted its report. The majority of the recommendations made are intended for implementtation by the State Governments. As regards the recommendations to be implemented by the Central Government, steps have been taken to establish a National Institute of Basic Education and to obtain the Central Advisory Board of Education's approval of "The Concept of Basic Education" as issued by the Standing Committee on Basic Education and adopted by the Ministry of Education.
At the Conference of Education Ministers held in September, 1956 the Report of the Assessment Committee was considered and resolutions reaffirming the acceptance of Basic Education as the national pattern of Elementary Education and suggesting measures to carry on educational reconstruction on Basic lines were adpoted.
National Institute of Basic Education.-The National Institute of Basic Education started functioning from February, 1956 when the Director of the Institute was appointed. A Psychologist, an Educa- tionist, a Statistician and some subordinate staff have also been appointed. The functions of the Institute are (i) to conduct research in Basic Education and (ii) to impart advanced training in Basic education to inspectors, administrators and other higher personnel.
State Schemes of Pre-Primary, Elementary and Basic Education.- Grants worth Rs. 325.71 lakhs were sanctioned to various States for schemes of Pre-Primary, Basic and Elementary Education
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included in the Educational Development Programmes, of the States for 1956-57, under the Second Five-Year Plan. A further sum of Rs. 18.5 lakhs payable to the Government of Punjab and Rajasthan, as a second instalment of central assistance under these scheme& during the year, was adjusted against the saving with these State Governments, out of the grants sanctioned to them for schemes of Secondary education. The rate of central assistance for various schemes was as follows:-
1. Schemes of Pre-Primary Education-66 per cent of non-recurring expenditure and 60 per cent of recurring,expenditure.
2. Schemes of Basic Education-60 per cent. of the total expenditure.
3. Schemes of Elementary Education-(Non-Basic)-50 percent of the total expenditure
Revision of Salary Scales of Primary Teachers.-Under the schemes for the improvement of the salary scales of Primary (including Junior Basic) school teachers, central assistance at the rate of 50 per cent of the additional expenditure was sanctioned to State Governments during 1956-57.
Scheme to Relieve Educated Unemployment.-This scheme was initiated in 1953-54 to give employment to educated persons and to expand rural primary education facilities. The scheme envisaged the appointment of 80,000 teachers and 8,000 Social Education Workers by the end of the first Five-Year Plan. Out of these 79,950 teachers and 1703 Social Education Workers were appointed by various State Governments. During 1956-57 a sum of Rs.1,95,41,729 was sanctioned as grants to the State Governments under this scheme. Central assistance will continue up to 1957-58,
Assistance to Voluntary Educational Organisations.-Under the first Five-Year Plan of Educational Development the Government of India initiated a scheme for giving financial assistance to Voluntary Educational Organisations working in certain educational fields. It has been decided to continue this scheme with some modifications during the Second Five-Year Plan. Under this scheme, the Government of India continues to give financial assistance up to 66 per cent of the Non-recurring and 50 per cent of the recurring expenditure, the balance being borne by the State Government and the organisations concerned. During the financial year 1956-57 a sum of Rs. 6,53,197 has been sanctioned for Basic and Pre-primary education and Rs. 8,97,351 in the field of Social education.
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EDUCATIONAL SURVEY OF INDIA It has been decided to make a survey of Elementary education in India with a view to finding out: (a) the number and population (if cities, towns and villages already provided with Elementary schools; (b) the number and population of villages that have still to be pro- vided with schools; and (c) the manner in which new schools can be started in existing schoolless villages so as to avoid overlapping and to achieve the maximum effect at the minimum cost.
A sum of Rs. 23 lakhs was provided in the budget for 1956-57 for this purpose. A Central Seminar-cum-Pilot Survey for training State officials in the technique of survey work was held in January 1957. The State officers, will on their return conduct a survey through their district officers and prepare State reports that will be consolidated into an All-India Survey Report.
The Survey is expected to take about one year. As the work was begun late in 1956-57 it will continue into 1957-58. Necessary budget provision for 1957-58 has accordingly been made.
Programme of 1957-58.-Preliminary work on the implementation of the following Central Schemes of Basic and Elementary Education included in the Second Five-Year Plan has been started and budget provision has been proposed for these schemes in 1957-58:
(i) Assistance to States for the expansion of Girls education and Training of Women Teachers.
(ii) Post-Basic Institutions.
(iii) Miscellaneous schemes, such as the All-India Council for Basic Education; the Model Basic School, Seminars, Conferences, the Production of literature on Basic education etc.
SOCIAL EDUCATION Schemes of Encouragement and Production of Literature for Neo-
Literates and Children (a) Prize Scheme for the Best Books for Neo-literates.-Since 1956, the Government of India has awarded prizes on best books for neoliterates in all regional languages by holding annual prize compe- titions. In 1956, as a result of the third prize competition, 35 prizes of Rs. 500 each and five prizes of Rs. 1000 each were awarded to authors of books in various regional languages. One thousand copies each of these prize books have been bought by the Ministry for distribution in Community projects and National Extension Service Blocks. Entries for the fourth competition on similar lines have been received.
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A few prizes have been reserved this time for outstanding books that foster inter-state understanding. Prizes are expected to be announced on 2nd October, 1957. The scheme is to continue during the Second Five-Year Plan as an annual feature.
(b) Books for Children.-With a view to developing children's literature in the various Indian languages, the Ministry has awarded prizes to authors of outstanding books for children for the last two years, on the basis of recommendations received from various State Governments.
In 1956, as a result of the second prize competition in literature for children in all regional languages, 23 prizes of Rs. 500 each were awarded to authors of books for two age-groups of children, namely 3-6 and 7-14. Besides, 2000 copies each of these prize books have been purchased for distribution in education centres, children's libraries etc.
The third prize competition for children's literature has also been announced in a modified form. Books in Hindi, Sindhi and Urdu will be submitted to the Ministry direct while books in the remaining languages will be submitted to the State Governments concerned. The last date of entry in both cases is 30th July, 1957. Twenty-five prizes of Rs. 500 each and five prizes of Rs. 1000 each will be award- ed to authors of the best books. Two prizes of Rs. 1000 each have, however, been reserved for suitable books in Hindi.
(c) Prize Competition for "History of India".-The Ministry has. offered a prize of Rs. 5000 for the best manuscript on the 'History of India', submitted by 30th August, 1957.
(d) Literary Workshops.-In the year 1956-57, eight workshops- four for training authors to write for neo-literates and four for training authors to write for children were sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 11,000 per workshops. An equal number of workshops both for neo-literates and children will be held every year during the Second Five-Year Plan period.
(e) Vocabulary Research Units.-The Ministry gives assistance to various State Governments for conducting research in the spoken vocabulary of people in a limited area. The vocabulary thus collected is sifted and graded with a view to preparing model books for neo- literates on the basis of the graded vocabularies. During the year 1956-57 three such units were working in West Bengal, Bihar and Kerala. Fifty per cent of the total expenditure is met by the Central Government, while the rest is borne by the State Governments concerned. The scheme is likely to continue during the Second Five- Year Plan.
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(f) Popular Encyclopaedia in Hindi (Gyan Sarovar).-During the year 1956-57 the first volume of 'Gyan Sarover', the popular en- cyclopaedia in Hindi, which is proposed to be published in five volumes, was published through Maktaba Jamia, Ltd. The first edition of 10,000 copies of Volume I were sold out in about five months and a second revised edition is under preparation. Work on subsequent volumes is proceeding. All five volumes of the encyclopaedia are expected to be published by December, 1959.
(g) Production of Model Books.-In order to raise the level of book-production in children's literature the Ministry of Education is producing a few model books. Some of the books produced, or under production are Boune Ki Kheti: Bharat Ke Jahaz; and Anokhe Janwar.
(h) Popular Books on Important Subjects.-Books, entitled "The History of the World", and "The Story of Life" are under preparation. The manuscripts of these two titles are expected some time in 1957. These books will be published in Hindi in the course of the Second Five-Year Plan Period.
(i) National Book Trust.-With a view to encouraging the pro- duction of good literature and to make such books available at moderate prices to libraries, educational institutions and the public generally, the Government of India have set up a National Book Trust consisting of 15 trustees besides the Chairman. The trustees and the Chairman have been appointed. The bye-laws and the Articles of Association for the Trust have been finalised in consultation with the Ministry of Law. The first meeting of the Board is likely to take place sometime in April or May 1957 when formal decision to begin the work of the Trust will be taken.
(j) Purchase of Social Education Literature in Hindi.-Under the scheme to encourage the production of Social Education Literature in Hindi, the Ministry of Education has purchased copies of outstanding books in this field in cooperation with State Governments in a sharing scheme whereby State Governments bear 50 per cent of the cost of these books, while the balance plus the cost of packing and postage are borne by the Government of India. During 1956-57, 10,000 copies of each of the 26 books in the Samaj Vikas Mala Series published by the Sasta Sahitya Mandal, New Delhi, were brought and the Government of India's share paid to the Sasta Sahitya Mandal on this account came to Rs. 37,087-12-0. Twenty-eight more books have been approved under this Scheme and about 10,000 sets of these books have been bought.
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(k) Preparation of Eight Graded Books for Neo-Literates.-A scheme costing Rs. 1.55 lakhs submitted by the Hindustani Culture Society, Allahabad for producing eight graded books for neo-literates, has been approved by the Government of India and a sum of Rs. 25,000 has been sanctioned as the first instalment towards this project.
A committee consisting of three persons including nominees of the Society and the Ministry is being constituted to assist the society in this connection.
(l) Subsidy for Children's -Books in Hindi.-With a view to en- couraging publishers to make their contribution to the growth of children's literature in Hindi, this Ministry has invited experienced publishers to submit estimates by 31st May, 1957 for publishing books under the following two, series: (1) Foreign classics (2) Biology series. The former series provides for adaptations of 'Snowhite and the Seven Dwarfs', 'Bambi', "The Arabian Nights", "Alice in Wonderland and 'Pinocchia'. The latter series will consist of books on insects, birds, water animals, land animals, and unseen life.
(m) Production of Literature for Social Education Workers.-In order to provide suitable literature to support and guide Social Education, workers professionally, this Ministry has announced a prize scheme under which manuscripts on five selected topics have been invited. Five prizes of Rs. 250 each will be awarded to authors of the best manuscripts submitted under this scheme. The last date of entry is 30th June, 1957.
The Ministry has also planned to bring out monographs on five jects, viz., 'Democratic group discussion', 'Mass Education in China, 'Psychology of the adult', 'How to build a good library for a village' and 'Eradication of illiteracy'. These monographs will be brought out by the Idara Talim-o-Taraqqi, Jamia Millia, Delhi.
(n) Children's Book Trust.-With a view to expanding the facilities to produce and publish books for children, the Ministry has approved a scheme of Shri K. Shankar Pillai for setting up a Children's Book Trust. Accordingly a loan of Rs. 7 lakhs repayable in ten equal annual instalments has been sanctioned towards this project, the first instalment being Rs. 4 lakhs.
The Trust will give priority to the production of Children's books sponsored by the Ministry.
Research Training and Production Centre.-This Ministry has co- operated with the Jamia Millia Islamia in setting up a 'Research, Training and Production Centre' in the field of reading material and, other teaching aids for neo-literates. The purpose of the project
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is to evaluate the literature produced so far for adults on the basis of a study of their needs, and interest, and on the basis of this study, to produce some useful books for them. The project will cost the Government of India nearly Rs. 40,000 and will be completed by the end of May, 1957.
Standing Committee on Social Education.-A Standing Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education on, Social Education has been appointed to advise the Government of India and State Governments in matters connected with the planning and administration of Social education in India.
Advisory Committee or Development of Libraries.-An Advisory, Committee for Libraries has been appointed to advise the Government of India on matters pertaining to the expansion of library service in the country. The Committee is to investigate the library situation in India and to submit its recommendations to the State Governments on a suitable library policy.
National Fundamental Education Centre.-The National Fundamental Education Centre was set up in May 1956 for the purpose of training personnel and carrying out and coordinating research in the field of Social education. The Director and some other staff have been appointed. The Centre is expected to take up its tour programme very shortly.
STATES SCHEMES OF SOCIAL EDUCATION AND LITERATURE The Schemes of Social Education and Literature included in the States Development Programme for 1956-57 were approved by the Government of India and 50 per cent of the Central subsidy was sanctioned to all State Governments. The second instalment has also been released to the State Governments relating to schemes about which progress reports for the first six months of the year were received from them. The percentage of the Central Assistance during the year for the Scheme of Central Libraries, District Libraries, Children's Libraries and Janata Colleges is 66 per cent of Non-recurring and 60 per cent of the Recurring expenditure and 50 per cent. of the total expenditure in respect of all the other Schemes.
PROGRAMME FOR 1957-58 Preliminary work on the implementation of the following Central Schemes of Social Education included in the Second Five-year Plan have been started.
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Institute for Training in Library Science.-It is proposed to set up this Institute in co-operation with the Department of Library Science at Delhi University with a Managing Committee to administer it. The Institute will impart training to Central, State and District Librarians and would offer other special courses in the field. It will also conduct research in Library problems in the: country. Efforts are being made to start the first course in July, 1957.
SOCIAL EDUCATION IN URBAN AREAS Under this Scheme it is intended to, establish 20 Coordinating Councils for Social Education in 20 cities of India in the Second Five-Year Plan period. Two of the Coordinating Councils will also be selected to undertake extension work for adult literacy. The scheme will be implemented during 1957-58.
EVENING INSTITUTES FOR WORKERS The Scheme is intended as a pilot project of Social Education in Industrial areas and will be implemented during 1957-58.
AUDIO-VISUAL EDUCATION Central Film Library.-A sum of Rs. 69,000 was provided for the year 1956-57 for the purchase of films, filmstrips, equipment etc. During the financial year ending March, 1957, 1068 films, 158 film- strips, and some equipment, were added to the Central Film Library. The Preview Committee held 65 meetings and previewed 275 films. Since the last report for the year 1955, the Library enrolled 247 members as compared with 200 during 1955, bringing the total to 990. 8122 films and filmstrips were issued to member institutions during the year under report.