SECONDARY EDUCATION
1. Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools (CLASS) A Pilot project on Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools (CLASS) was initiated in 1984-85 in collaboration with Department of Electronics. The broad objectives of the Pilot Project included demystification of computer and to provide 'Hands on' experience. The project has been continued up to 1992-93 on ad-hoc basis and funds to the tune of Rs. 4 to 5 crores were provided on year to year basis. 2598 schools were covered up to 1992-93.
The CLASS Project has been evaluated by a number of agencies, Ministry of Human Resource Development and comptroller & Auditor General of India. The C&AG report identified multiplicity of agencies, diffused responsibility and inadequate monitoring etc.
Keeping these drawbacks in view, a modified scheme has been prepared and is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme from 1993-94.
To be eligible for assistance under the modified scheme, the following conditions are to be satisfied by the State/`UTs:
a) The coverage of the Scheme for new schools will be restricted to Senior Secondary Schools;
b) In selected schools, instructions in computer Literacy will be compulsory for all students of classes XI and XII, these instructions will be part of the school time-table with the evaluation in the subject taking place with/without formal examination and;
c) Infrastructure such as a pukka room with electricity and other fittings will have to be made in the schools to be covered under the Project by the State Government concerned, before taking up the project.
The National Steering committee under the Chairmanship of Education Secretary is responsible for monitoring and supervision etc.. At State/UT levels, Cells set up for the
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purpose, will discharge the dual responsibility of monitoring and actual implementation of the Scheme in the Schools and of releasing the funds to the implementing agencies.
Rs. 146 crores has been provided for implementing the scheme during the Eighth Plan. This amount is for maintaining 2598 schools already covered under the pre-revised scheme as well as for including 1.320 additional schools during the Eighth Plan. 536 additional schools were covered during 95-96. It is proposed to cover 117 additional schools during the current financial year.
The budget provision during the current financial year is Rs.35.00 crores.
An outlay of Rs. 211.78 crores for the 9th Plan and Rs, 31.76 crores for the Annual Plan 1997-98 are being proposed.
2.Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) was launched in 1974 by the then Department of Social Welfare. This Scheme was transferred to the Department of Education in 1982. The IEDC Scheme purports to provide educational opportunities for disabled children in common schools to facilitate their retention in the school system and ultimate integration in the general schools system.
Under the scheme, 100% financial assistance is given for the education of disabled children in common schools by way of supply of aids/equipments, allowances for books, uniforms, transport, readers for blind children escorts for severely orthopaedically handicapped children and employment of helpers/attendants. The scheme also provides for meeting the cost of salary of special teachers, setting up of resource room,;, assessment of disabled children, training of special teachers, removal of architectural barriers in schools and production of instructional material.
The scheme was revised in 1987 to rationalise several existing provisions and again in 1992 mainly with a view to increase the financial ceilings and to enlarge the scope of the scheme.
At the time when the scheme was transferred to the Department of Education in 1982-83, it was being implemented in just 6 to 7 States. Presently, it is being implemented
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in 24 States/UTs. Besides the States/UTs, a number of Voluntary Organisations are also implementing the scheme.
The allocation for the scheme in the Eighth Plan was Rs.25.00 crores. By the end of Eighth Plan, more than 50,000 disabled children are expected to have been covered in over 12,000 schools.
The recently enacted, 'Persons with Disabilities Act', 1995 has placed a responsibility on the government to ensure that every disabled child has access to free education until the age of 18 years. The Working Group for the Welfare and Development of the Disabled set tip for formulation of the Ninth Plan, has made its recommendation keeping in view the target of achieving education for all disabled by 2010 AD, The Group has recommended the coverage of an additional 500 blocks in the Ninth Plan period at an estimated budget of Rs. 400 crores.
The PM in recent directive has stated that 3% of the social sector outlay should be utilised for the benefit of the disabled. Education. has an annual outlay of around Rs. 3000 crores and 3% of it works out to Rs. 100 crores per year. However, the States do not, have the necessary infrastructure and trained teachers to take up this programme immediately on a large scale and the coverage will have to be expanded. gradually. Rs. 100 crores has been requested for the scheme for the Ninth Plan (1997-2002) and Rs.13 crores for the Annual Plan 1997-98. Also, a large part of the budget of other schemes viz. DPEP, NFE, AE, etc., will have to be targeted specifically for the benefit of disabled children.
3. Vocational Education A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of vocationalisation of Secondary Education at the +2 level was started in February 1988. Under the Scheme 100% assistance is provided for expenditure on district vocational surveys, development of curriculam and resource material, equipments, worksheds, training of teachers, apprenticeship stipends and field visits, 75% for expenditure on salaries of management structure at the Directorate, SCERT, District levels and for raw material. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre-
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Vocational Education at Lower Secondary Stage was also intorduced in 1993-94. In addition, a Central institute of Vocational Education (CIVE) has been set up at Bhopal in 1993 to provide academic and technical support to the Vocational Education Programme.
The Eighth Five Year Plan outlay for the Scheme is Rs. 410.00 crores. The budget provision for the current Year 1996-97 is Rs. 82.00 crores. Till October, 1996 an amount Rs. 7.30 crores has been spent. Keeping the unspent balance with States/UTs the budget provision has been lowered at RE stage to Rs. 52.00 crores. Full amount of Rs. 52.00 crores is likely to be spent.
All States/UTs except Lakshadweep have Joined the Programme. Upto 1995-96, 18709 vocational sections have been sanctioned in 6476 schools, thereby creating facility for diversion of 9.35 lakh students, at the higher secondary level.
Recently in chief Ministers' Conference held in July, 1996 and Education Ministers' Conference held in August, 1996, a recommendation has been made to transfer the scheme to State sector. However, final decision in the matter is awaited. Considering that the Scheme continues during the 9th Plan, the allocation has been made for (tentatively) the plan period. Accordingly, the proposed allocation for 1997-98 is Rs. 148.65 crores
4. Environmental Orientation to School Education. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Environmental Orientation to School Education was initiated in 1988-89. The Scheme envisages assistance to State/Governments/UT Administrations and voluntary agencies. The voluntary agencies are assisted for conduct of experimental and innovative programmes aimed at promoting integration of educational programmes in schools with local environmental conditions; while the States/UTs are assisted for various activities including review and development of curricula of various disciplines at primary, upper primary, secondary and senior secondary levels with a view to infusing environmental concepts therein; review and development of text books of 'Environmental Studies' at primary and upper primary levels; review of strategy for imparting environmental education at upper primary level; development of teaching-learning material; organisation of suitable innovative work experience activities. The scheme
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also envisages assistance to NCERT during the 8th Plan for organisation of regional workshops for development of instructional material in regional languages for training of Primary and Upper Primary teachers.
Achievments during the 8th plan is presented in the table given below :-
1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97
anticipated
Amount spent 1.80 1.12 1.79 2.30 1.95
(Rs. In Crores)
States/UTs
covered 17 5 18 10 8
No. of Projects 2 11 28 10 8
sanctioned to
States/Uts
No.Ofvoluntary 4 9 11 10 10
bodies directly assisted
by the Ministry
The working group on Secondary Education for the 9th Plan has given the following report:
The states/UTs have not evinced any interest in implementation of the scheme during the 8th plan. On the other hand, voluntary agencies in different parts of the country have played an important role in raising the level of consciousness about environment and need for its protection and have, in the process, developed considerable expertise in the field.
The innovative and flexible scheme, suiting to the conditions obtaining in the areas of their operation, evolved by these NGO have often with greater success than the ones sought to be implemented through purely governmental efforts. The scheme is, therefore, proposed to be implemented through NGOs only during the 9th Plan, At present, NGOs are assisted for promoting integration of educational programmes at primary and upper primary levels only with local environmental conditions. During the 9th Plan, the scope of the programmes conducted by NGOs is proposed to be extended to cover secondary/senior secondary levels as well".
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A provision of a sum of Rs. 10.00 crores was made both for the States and the voluntary agencies for implementation of the scheme during the 8th Plan. During the 9th Plan, the scheme is proposed to be implemented only through NGOs/voluntary agencies and the scope of the programmes to be conducted by NGOs during the 9th Plan has been extended so as to cover secondary/senior secondary levels as well, In view of the fact that the programmes to be undertaken by the voluntary agencies do not conform to a set design and that the diverse nature of innovative programmes cannot be foreseen, it is not possible to indicate the physical targets in respect of the NGOs/voluntary agencies. A provision of Rs. 10.00 crores is proposed for assistance to NGOs/voluntary agencies under the Scheme during the 9th plan period, The proposal for Annual Plan 1997-98 is of the order of Rs.2.00 crores.
5. Improvement of Science Education in Schools. To improve the quality of science education and promote scientific temper, as envisaged in the National Policy on Education, 1986, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Improvement of Science Education in Schools' was initiated during 1987-88. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to State governments/Union Territory Administrations and voluntary agencies. While voluntary agencies are provided assistance for conduct of experimental and innovative programmes, States/UTs are assisted for provision of science kits to upper primary schools; upgradation and strengthening of science laboratories in secondary/senior secondary schools, supply of books on science related subjects in secondary and senior secondary schools; and training of science and mathematics teachers.
While it was initially intended to cover all the Government and Government aided upper primary, secondary and senior secondary schools in a phased manner by the end of 8th Plan, inadequate availability of resources came in the way of achieving this objective. With Rs. 120.00 crores during the 8th Plan, it would be possible to cover about 52 per cent of the total existing schools by the end of the 8th Five Year Plan implying thereby the need to carry forward the scheme to the 9th Plan. A sum of Rs. 94.00 crores representing
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about 80 per cent of the 8th Plan approved outlay has since been utilised till date. The entire quantum of Rs. 21.69 crores provided for implementing the scheme during the current financial year is likely to be fully utilised.
The position in respect of the actual achievements during 1987-88 to 1995-96 and the anticipated achievements during 1996-97 are given as under:
1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97
Amount spent 24.94 21.69 22.70 23.91 21.69
No. Of States/
UT's covered: 14 15 9 15 10
No. Of schools
covered
1) Upper Primary
(Science Kits) 11099 5756 6852 5833 4000
ii) Sec/Hr.Sec
Sec.(Library 4906 3874 2969 2985 2000
assistance)
iii)Sec/Higher
laboratory 5576 3914 3163 3122 3000
assistance)
No. Of voluntary
organisations
assisted (for 7 12 11 14 12
innovative programmes)
The Working Group on Secondary Education for the 9th Plan in its report has recommended continuation of this scheme during 9th Plan with minor modification.
Taking note. of recommendations made by the Working Group the following minor modifications in the scheme are proposed to be carried out
- At present, there is one common list of laboratory requirements for Class VI to X,XI and XII. Accordingly, the scheme envisages one-time grant of Rs. 30,000/(for deficient labs), Rs.90,000/- (for new labs) irrespective of the status of the school viz. Secondary or senior secondary. This being the case senior secondary schools (consequent upon upgradation from secondary level) are not eligible for
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assistance. To overcome this problem, NCERT will be requested to prepare two sets of laboratory requirements - one each for secondary, and senior secondary schools. Accordingly, different norms of assistance for up-gradation and strengthening of laboratories of secondary and senior secondary schools will be prescribed as to ensure that the supply of equipment conforms to the curricular and physical needs of the system.
As per the existing norms for organisation of training programmes for science and mathematics teachers, the expenditure on TA/DA of the participant trainees is met by the State Government/UT Administration concerned. It has emerged that most of the State Governments/UT Administrations find it extremely difficult to make requisite budgetary provision for meeting TA/DA of the participating trainees in their respective annual budgets. This is largely because provision of TA/DA in most cases is a charge on the Non-plan account where paucity of funds needs no elaboration. It is accordingly proposed to bear TA/DA of the trainees under the scheme by the Central Government so as to meet 100% expenditure on this component as well.
-This modification was, in fact, suggested while seeking approval for continuance of the scheme during the 8th plan. As, however, the request was not acceded to the training of teachers has found to be the weakest comment.
- One of the necessary requirement for obtaining assistance for training of teachers would be that implementing agencies have designed suitable training design which should, inter alia, specify training content, duration, coverage, time slots, group size, practical work, methodology experience of resource persons etc.
It is proposed to cover rest of the 48% of the existing eligible schools under the Scheme during the 9th Five Year Plan. It is, however, not possible to indicate the physical targets in respect of the NGOs/voluntary agencies because of the fact that the programmes to be undertaken by the voluntary agencies do not conform to a set design and that the diverse nature of innovative programmes cannot be foreseen.
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A sum of Rs.240.00 crores has been proposed for implementation of the Scheme during 9th plan keeping in view the fact that the 100% expenditure of TA/DA of the trainees under the scheme is proposed to be met by the Central Government during the 9th plan. The other component which has been kept in mind for increase in the proposed provision is the cost escalation for science kits and assistance for library books and upgradation of laboratories.
For the Annual Plan 1997-98 an outlay of Rs.48.00 crores is proposed including Rs.8.00 lakhs for International Mathematical Olympiad to be held in Argentina in July, 1997.
6. Promotion of Yoga The National Policy on Education 1986 lays down that as a system which promotes an integral development of the mind, Yoga will receive special attention and efforts will be made to introduce it in all schools.
A Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Promotion of Yoga in Schools was started in 1989-90. Under the scheme assistance is provided for training of teachers in Yoga and for building infrastructure for the purpose, namely, construction/expansion of hostels for teacher trainees and upgradation of library facilities. The scheme its implemented through the education/concerned departments in the States/UTs as well as the Yoga institutes of repute. The scheme provides Rs.450 per month per trainee for boarding and incidentals, Rs. 150 per month for lodging, a lump sum grant of Rs.5000 for a three-month training course and Rs. 10,000 for a one-year training course and a maximum of Rs. 2 5 000 as a one time grant of upgrading library facilities, Rs.5,00,000 per institution for construction of hostels and Rs, 1.00 lakh for furnishing the hostel when required.
The scheme has a budget of Rs.3.25 crores for the VIII Five Year Plan. Allocation for the current year (1996-97) is Rs.60 lakhs. Financial assistance amounting to Rs.95.54 lakhs was released during the last 3 years. The target for the VIII Plan is to cover 7500 teachers. Upto 1995-96 assistance has been provided for training 7383 teachers.
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The scheme has suffered mainly because of a lack of interest on the part of the State Governments and the fact that State Governments have not given any firm commitment to introduce Yoga in schools.
For the Ninth Plan a budget allocation of Rs. 3,00 crores is proposed with Rs. 60.00 lakhs being the allocation for the Annual Plan 1997-98.
7. Education Technology Essentially, this scheme seeks to improve utilisation of the media through radio and TV for the good of the educational sector. Initiated in 1972, it has undergone many changes over the years and at present it has the following components:-
i) Funding the States and UTs for the entire costs of Radio-cum-Cassette Players (RCCPs) for primary schools within a ceiling of Rs. 1400/- per set and 75% cost of colour Tvs subject to the cost ceiling of Rs. 13,000/- for the upper primary schools.
ii) Meeting the costs of Central Institute of Educational Technology, within the NCERT and 6 States Institutes of Educational Technology (SIETs) in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.
iii) Funding production of audio-software in the language Institutes.
During 1995-96 CIET and SIETs have produced 359 Audio and 1045 Video Programmes on various educational themes at various levels of school education. SIETs have also made efforts towards production of audio programmes either by themselves or through Government agencies.
During 1995-96 3,038 CTVs and 10,644 RCCPs were sanctioned to States/UTs. During 1996-97 it is proposed to sanctioned 9,672 CTVs and 31,666 RCCPs to States/UTs for installation in Upper Primary/Primary Schools respectively. So tar 3,66,732 RCCPs and 64,952 CTVs have been Sanctioned to States and UTs.
Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore has been funded for production of cassettes for teaming certain South Indian Languages at the schools level.
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Evaluation of the Scheme The Scheme has been evaluated by National Institute of Educational Planning & Administration (NIEPA). The report inter alia recommends the continuance of the scheme with certain improvements in its management. The Scheme has also been evaluated by the Social and rural Research Institute (SRRI), New Delhi, The findings of the study clearly show a direct relationship between viewing of educational telecasts and significantly better performance by children on issues such as curiosity, language skills and visual representation. The major findings of the study have been brought to the notice of the concerned States/UTs for taking necessary action.
An outlay of Rs. 193.57 crores for the 9th Plan and Rs. 34.37 crores for the Annual Plan 1997-98 are being proposed.
8. National Council of Educational Research and Training
(NCERT) NCERT advises and helps the Department of Education in the implementation of its policies and major programmes in the field of education, particularly school education. It also undertakes activities like research and training of teachers and specific time- bound projects in the field of pre-school and school education and certain special areas entrusted to it by the Department of Education, such as the Sixth All India Educational Survey.
The total 8th Plan outlay was estimated at the level of Rs.24.00 crores. An amount of Rs. 12,70 crores has been projected for 1997-98. An estimated provision of Rs, 48.00 crores has been proposed for the Ninth Plan Period.
9. National Open School This national institution, established on 23.11,89, has been offering Senior Secondary, Secondary and Bridge Courses on the basis of its own syllabi for school dropouts, housewives, working adults and rural/urban poor who cannot attend full day schools.
The NOS is still functioning from rented buildings. However, it is exploring the possibility of acquiring land in Delhi since the present land acquired by it at NOIDA is not sufficient for the construction of its entire building complex. Hence, NOS needs a budget
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of nearly Rs. 18 crores for land and building, construction of warehousing and residential quarters.
During 1997-2002, the NOS would require Rs. 20 crores for its Basic Education Programme, Media, Open vocational Education Programme, Media, Open Vocational Education programme and for Student Support Service.
The NOS has to play a crucial role during the IX Five Year Plan Period for the extensive growth and multidimensional expansion of Open Learning System at school stage. A tremendous increase in enrolment, widening of its geographical coverage, diversification in the nature and content of its programmes and the development & implementation of new courses especially in the field of vocational and technical education is expected to take place during the next five years.
The open Learning System should utilise modern telecommunication and computer technologies in making its instructional design and delivery more effective and accessible It should participate in the establishment of a nation-wide telecommunication network which will have uplinking facilities and telecommunication channels.
The requirement of fund for the NOS its plan projects and for providing external services to the States would be in the order of Rs. 56.04 crores for the IX Plan and Rs. 8.20 crores for the Annual Plan 1997-98
10. assistance For Strengthening Culture & Values in Education During the 9th Plan period, the project activities under the scheme will continue to be directed towards value orientation of Education through the creation of awareness in the minds of students about India's rich and composite cultural traditions & history, foster orientation towards unity and integration of our people and to eliminate the negative social forces of obscurantism, religious fanaticism, superstition, fatalism and anti-feminism from the psyche of school students. The objects activities will be implemented through the two broad components :-
(a) Strengthening cultural and value education inputs in the school and non formal education system.
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b) Strengthening the in-service training of art, craft, music and dance teachers.
The project activities planned are:-
a) Development of teaching/learning material and audiovisual aids;
b) Teacher training;
c) Meetings, Conferences and Seminars;
d) Community service activities aimed at the inculcation of values;
e) Establishment of innovative museum comers on a pilot basis.
An outlay of Rs. 10 crores for the Scheme during the IXth Plan is proposed. An amount of Rs. 2.00 crores has been proposed for the Annual Plan 1997-98.
11. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti. In order to provide good quality modem education including a strong component of culture, inculcation of values, awareness of environment, adventure activities and physical education to the talented children, predominantly from the rural areas with out regard to their families socioeconomic conditions, Govt. of India. launched a scheme of establishing Navodaya Vidyalayas on an average one in each district of the country as part of National Policy of Education, 1986 during VII Plan Period.
By the year 1991-92 280 Vidyalayas were established.
During VIII Plan period, the main emphasis on implementation of Scheme is:
a) To consolidate the existing 280 Vidyalayas including its construction programme.
b) To cover the remaining districts by opening about 150 new Vidyalayas at the rate of 50 Vidyalayas per annum during the first three years of the VIII Plan period, and
c) Further to improve the academic excellence of the students.
So far, 100 Vidyalayas have been sanctioned during first four year and it is anticipated to sanction another 10 Vidyalayas during 1996-97. The short fall in target in sanctioning of vidyalayas is mainly on account of non receipt of sufficient proposals from the
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concerned State Governments with minimum infrastructural facilities for opening vidyalayas and also due to financial constraints.
No. of JNVs Sanctioned Functional
Upto 1991-92 280 280
1992-93 44 25
1993-94 26 16
1994-95 23 26
1995-96 5 22
1996-97 12 (anticipated) 5
Total 390 374
Navodaya Vidyalayas are meant primarily for children from rural areas and admission of children from urban areas is restricted to a minimum of 25%. Efforts are being made to ensure that atleast one third of the students in Vidyalayas are girls. The scheme also provides reservation for SC and ST in proportion of their population in the concerned district provided in any district such reservation will not be less than the national average. Upto 1995-96, the Samiti could reach the level of 22.9% of SC and 15.3% of ST and 33.4% of girls students and it is anticipated the same may go up during the remaining period of VIII Plan i.e. 1996-97.
The admissions to Navodaya Vidyalayas are made at the level of class VI. The test is conducted at the block level with reservation of the seats to each block in pro-portion to the population of the block to the population of the district. The tests are designed and conducted by the NCERT. So far upto March, 1996 a total number of 1,66,906 children have been admitted and another 23130 students are likely to be admitted in the year 1996-97. About 35,469 children are likely to complete their education at XII Class level at the end of VIII Plan.
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The performance of the Navodaya Vidyalaya students at All India 7Secondary and Senior Secondary School Examinations has been encouraging. The percentage for the last three years is as follows :-
YEAR X CLASS XII CLASS
1993 96.67% 66.830%
1994 93.08% 78.37%
1995 82.56% 81.72%
1996 84.06% 81.480%