PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION INCLUDING BADP
9.1. Planning Monitoring and statistics 9.1.1 This chapter deals with the schemes of Planning, Administration and Statistics Divisions, which service the Statistical Department, as well as those of the UNESCO division. Given the thrust proposed to be given in the Eighth Plan to monitoring and evaluation, the need to revamp the Planning and Statistical division can hardly be exaggerated. The Statistical division collects primary data relating to various aspects of education from the States and brings out 14 publications in annual and periodical series. These publications provide valuable information and are the main source of educational statistics in the country. However, a major concern has been the time lag in publication. steps were initiated in the VII Plan to compress the time lag by the collection and compilation of data in the States/UTs as well as in the Statistical Division. The scheme of computerisation of Educational Statistics is an important measure for this purpose. The Computerised Manpower Information System Unit has also made a beginning in creating the data bases required for education planning and in monitoring the Plan schemes. However, further attempts have to be made to tone up the planning and statistics division.
9.2 National Institute of Educational Planning and
Administration (NIEPA) 9.2.1 NIEPA is an autonomous organisation set up by the Government of India under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
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The objectives of the Institute are to undertake research in educational planning and administration, provide training and consultancy services in this field and arrange for orientation of senior educational administrators from the Centre and the States for University and College administrators, and to collaborate with other countries. The Institute is fully funded by the Government of India.
9.2.2 In March, 1989 the Government set up a Committee to review the work and progress of NIEPA in terms of the objectives laid down for it in its Memorandum of Association and to suggest an appropriate future role for the Institute in the context of Implementation of the National Policy on Education, 1986. The Committee submitted its Report in September, 1989. An Empowered Committee examined the reccommendations of the Review Committee and submitted its finding to Government. Government have eccepted the recommendations of the Empowred Committee. They are, inter-alia, i) strengthening of academic activities ii) support and assistance for development of State level centres for educational planning and administration iii) strengthening of faculty iv) strengthening and modernising the library and documentation centre v) strengthening the Computer Centre and vi) development of new campus with necessary facilities.
9.2.3 In pursuance of the above recommendations of the Empowered Committee an allocation of Rs. 964.05 lakhs is proposed during Eighth Five Year Plan; of this Rs. 159.07 lakhs would be Academic Activities; 108.98 lakhs for Establishment Expenses; 59.00 lakhs Office Expenses ; 637.00 lakhs for Capital Expenses
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(Land and Building, Equipment, Furniture & Fixtures, Vehicle Computer, Hardware).
9.3 Scheme of Studies, Seminars, Evaluation, etc. for
Implementation of National Policy on Education, 1986 (Central Scheme)
9.3.1 The scheme is intended to provide financial assistance to deserving institutions or individuals, on the merits of each proposal, which should have a direct bearing on the management and implementation aspects of National Policy on Education. The scheme would also support sponsoring or seminars, conduct of impact and evaluation studies, consultancy assignments, in order to advise the government on the best alternatives and models for making the system work.
9.3.2 The financial assistance under this scheme covers salaries, allowance, TA/DA of project staff, stationery and printing, hiring of office equipment and other contingencies, like postage. Normally, the ceiling for such assistance is Rs. 1.00 lakhs per project.
9.3.3 Management and implementation of National Education Policy is a continuous process. Educational planners and administrators and also implementing agencies in the field at various levels come across problems and hurdles of various sorts. In order to study and overcome the problems and to evaluate the efficacy and utility of various programmes undertaken in pursuance of the Education Policy, continuance of this schemes during the Eighth Plan is essential. The nucleus unit would need
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to be strengthened to take on the role of planning and monitoring effectively. During the entire 8th Plan (1992-97) an amount of Rs. 2.50 crores is proposed for the scheme.
9.4 Computerised Management Information System (CMIS) 9.4.1 The Computerised Management. Information System (CMIS) Unit is functioning within the Planning, Monitoring and Statistics Division of the Department of Education,Ministry of Human Resource Development. The main objectives of the CMIS is developing and maintaining Application Softwares, System Analysis and Design softwares for the implementation of management information system in the Department. In this context, NIC has installed 2 PC/ATs, 5 PC/XTs, 2 PCs and one Super PC/AT with 16 dumb terminals in this department. Of these, one PC/XT has been connected with the NEC-1000 super computer installed in National Informatics Centre, CGO Complex, New Delhi. CMIS Unit had undertaken various projects for different Divisions of the department. The Unit developed 30 softwares/databases and undertaken all important text-processing work of the department. An outlay of Rs. 1.80 crores is proposed to strengthen the Unit by scheme which includes installation of 30 computer terminals with PCs and 10 dot-matrix printers and 2 independent systems in different divisions, purchase of softwares, strengthening of staff, fitting and fixtures, maintenance/services, stationery and other miscellaneous services.
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9.5 Strengthening of Planning, Monitoring and Statistics
Division 9.5.1 The strengthening of this division is necessary so as to enable it to handle the existing work load more efficiently and to undertake several new responsibilities and functions called for by the new thrust on monitoring and evaluation. The existing system lacks adequate linkages between physical targets and expenditure at different levels of implementation specially in terms of various components of the scheme. Unless efforts are made to monitor the programmes in disaggregated manner, the programmes will continue to suffer from the same shortcomings as has been the case in the past.
9.5.2 Department of Education is the nodal Department for monitoring of Point No. 10 of Twenty Point Programme 1986. The objective of UEE can be achieved only if there is cent percent enrolment, coupled with universal retention and achievement of minimum levels of education. So far the monitoring is being done only on gross enrolment of children in schools. Now there has to be qualitative shift in the monitoring programmes related to UEE of NFE, Adult Education, Vocationalisation of Education Planning and monitoring has to be done at a more decentralised levels. For 8th Five Year Year Plan a budget provision of Rs. 200 crores is proposed.
9.5.3 Education of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward sections is an area of great concern. Planning and Monitoring for their development includes preparation of
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Special Component Plan and Tribal sub-plan at the Central level, analysis of sub-plans of State Governments, collection, compilation and publication of statistics and liaison with Welfare Ministry and State Welfare Departments who implement a large number of incentive programmes in the field of education. The working Group on Development of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes has emphasised the need for a developing an appropriate monitoring system. To this end, the SC/ST Cell has to be suitably strengthened.
9.5.4 Education of Minorities is another area which requires greater attention. NPE and POA-1986 have emphasised the need for taking up a number of programmes for improving their educational status. POA has specifically recommended setting up a monitoring Cell in the Department of Education. The Group on Minorities Education which was setup by the Department in July, 1990 and which submitted its report in January, 1991 has suggested a number of programmes to be taken up for Education of Minorities. It has stressed the need for monitoring. Prime Minister's 15 Point Programme on Minorities, which is being re-cast, is Including an additional point on Education of Minorities which is to be monitored on quarterly basis.
9.6 Computerisation of Educational Statistics in the States 9.6.1 The scheme was started/implemented in 1989-90 in nine educationally backward states. Since 1991-92 it is being extended in all the States/UTs. In the 8th Plan all the States
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and UTs would be covered.
9.6.2 The objectives of the scheme are as follows:-
To reduce time-lag in the Collection/Processing of Educational Statistics for timely publication and thereby enhancing the utility for planning and monitoring of different Educational Programmes;
To develop comprehensive database at the Central and the state levels with a view to make the planning process effective.
To train statistical personnel of the States/UTs in computerisation for collection and compilation of educational data.
9.6.3 During the entire Eighth Plan (1992-97) an amount of Rs. 1.50 crores is proposed for this scheme to meet the expenditure on the data entry, verification and validation, purchase of additional equipment for computerised processing and printing of forms.
9.7 Strengthening of the activities of INC 9.7.1 India became a member of Unesco in 1946. India has consistently taken active interest in promoting the objectives and ideals of Unesco amongst the various sections of the population. In compliance with Article 7 of the Constitution of Unesco, the Department of Education has established the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco to ensure active
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participation in the task of advancement of Education, Science, Culture and Communication; which are the main areas of competence of Unesco.
9.7.2 For strengthening the activities of the Indian National Commission (INC), the Planning Commission approved the following schemes for the 7th Five Year Plan to consolidate and strengthen the National Commission for Unesco:-
i) Reorganisation of the INC Library into a fulfledged reference centre for Unesco Publications in India.
ii) Holding of meetings/conferences and organisation of exhibitions in furtherance of Unesco aims and objectives.
iii) Strengthening of voluntary organisations engaged in Unesco programmes and activities.
9.7.3 It is proposed to continue these programmes during 8th Five Year Plan also.
9.7.4 The broad projections and contents of the schemes referred to above including the activities which are proposed to be undertaken during the period 1992-97 are briefly described below:-
i) In order to strengthen the documentation and reference facilities of the INC Library with a view to providing service to a larger sections of scholars and experts, it is proposed to modernise the documentation and reference facilities both for storage and retrieval of information by acquiring desk computers for up-dating
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documentation and reference literature being received from Unesco and its other regional offices as well as the National Commissions of other member States. Amount of Rs. 10 crores is proposed in the cost.
ii) One of the major functions of the Indian National Commission for Unesco is to organise National Regional and Sub-regional meetings and also to organise exhibitions in connection with the programmes and activities of Unesco.
For implementing the programme and activities of Unesco in India and also to organise meetings/conferences/workshops of National, Sub-Regional and Regional character, the National Commission is proposed to be further strengthend, both professionally and functionally to meet the challenges more effectively and meaningfully. As part of its drive commission, it is envisaged to convene meetings more frequently of INC and also of its five Sub-Commissions on Education, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Culture and Communication, particularly on all important inter-national issues which would be discussed by Unesco in the coming years specially in the field of literacy, environment, World Decade for Cultural Development and Human Rights etc. The proposed Outlay for the 8th Five Year Plan is Rs. 25.00 lakhs.
iii) with a view to encouraging the Non-governmental
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organisations, voluntary bodies and Unesco clubs, including Associated Schools in the country to undertake programmes and activities relating to the promotion of aims and objects of Unesco, the National commission has a scheme of financial assistance which is proposed to be continued during the 8th Five Year Plan as well. These activities are either proposed by these bodies suo-moto, or on advice of the National Commission for Unesco. The principal aim of this scheme is to widely disseminate the ideals of Unesco and involve the students and teachers alike in propagating the objectives of the organisation at the grass root level. Proposed Out-lay for the 8th Five Year Plan is Rs. 12.00 lakhs.
9.8 Construction of Unesco House 9.8.1 The proposed building would house the Unesco's Regional Office of Science and Technology in New Delhi and the Offices of Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco. The structural design and the layout of the proposed Unesco House are at an advanced stage of finalisation and it is expected that the construction would commence shortly. A sum of Rs. 8.00 lakhs has already been paid to HUDCO as part of developmental charges for the land. For the construction work during the VIII Five Year Plan an estimated expenditure of Rs. 500 lakhs is expected.
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9.9 Development of Auroville 9.9.1 Under the scheme of the Development of Auroville, Central Government (Department of Education provide grants to the Auroville Trust for its development. For this purpose, an outlay of Rs. 35.55 lakhs was approved for the period of the 7th Five Year Plan. For further development and better management of Auroville, the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988 has been passed by the Parliament and the Act came into force with effect from 28th September, 1988. The act makes a provision of grant by the Central Government for the development of Auroville. The Auroville Trust submitted a scheme for its development at an estimated cost of about Rs. 56.00 crores for inclusion in the 8th Five Year Plan. It has, however, been decided that while we may continue to fund the existing activities included in the 7th Five Year Plan, some assistance for building infrastructure to push the project may be provided for additionally in the 8th Five Year Plan. It is proposed to make a provision of an outlay of Rs. 100 lakh in the 8th Five Year Plan for the development of Auroville. Proposed outlay for the 8th Five Year Plan is Rs. 100 lakhs.
9.10 Strengthening of External Academic Relations 9.10.1 For promoting bilateral and multilateral educational Cooperation and to increase academic interaction between educational institutions with important countries, a provision of Rs. 25 lakhs is proposed during the VIII Five Year Plan (1992-97). These funds will be used for exchange of distinguished scholars and organising seminars and other activities with view to use education as a tool to promote India's national interest abroad. The activities for funding would be selected in close cooperation
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with the Ministry of External Affairs and our Missions abroad. Active participation in SAARC Technical Committee on Education is also envisaged. A total outlay of Rs. 25.00 lakhs is proposed for the VIII Five Year Plan.
9.11 Area Intensive Programme for Educationally Backward
Minorities 9.11.1 The Empowered Committee which was set up to take a view/decisions on the recommendations of the Hindi Committee Report (1991) has considered Area Approach as a most practical way for the development of educationally backward minorities. It has suggested area planning with block as a unit of development and has recommended that suitable centrally sponsored schemes would be formulated in the 8th Five Year Plan for implementing the strategies for the development of educationally backward minorities.
9.11.2 The Government has decided to accord a very high priority to minority concentration blocks in respect of on-going programmes such as OB, NFE, DIETs, and the scheme of Urban Development. It has also decided to launch a centrally sponsored scheme on 100% assistance, for initiating new programmes for the development of educationally backward minorities in minority concentration blocks.
9.11.3 The objective of the scheme is to take up schemes, provide assistance to State Governments and Voluntary Organisations on hundred per cent basis for taking up programmes for educationally backward minorities not covered by the ongoing-programmes such as operation Blackboard, Non-Formal
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Education and District Institute of Education and Training. The programmes may include activities such as construction of school buildings and hostels in minority concentration areas, Remedial Coaching, Assistance to educational trusts, foundations and Non- governmental organizations, etc.