 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD

Thirty-Sixth Meeting New Delhi, 18-19 September 1972

RESOLUTIONS

General Strategy of Development

The Board is of the view that a major effort in educational development is immediately needed, especially as the sociopolitical situation in the country is favourable to it. The Board, therefore, recommends that a comprehensive, integrated and large-scale programme of educational development should be included in the Fifth Five-Year Plan and that the necessary advance action for it should be initiated immediately and accelerated in 1973-74. The funds for such advance action should be provided by the Centre. The Board broadly approves of the proposals contained in the Working Paper on Educational Development in the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-79)*. The Board now recommends that, on the basis of the guidelines contained in the Working Paper and the discussions and decisions at this meeting, the Centre, States and Union Territories should formulate proposals for educational development in the Fifth Plan by December, 1972. While formulating these proposals, the existing Plan and non-Plan expenditure on education should be carefully examined with a view to ascertaining possible re-deployment. The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare should then, on the basis of the Plans for States and Union Territories, formulate an overall National Plan and submit it to the Planning Commission. The Ministry and the States should also work out, as suggested by the Member, Planning Commission, one or two alternative strategies of development so that the priorities within priorities become manifest. The Board also requests the Chairman to constitute a Standing Committee which will assist him in the formulation of the Fifth Five-Year Plan, in the development of alternative strategies and definding priorities within priorities' and in the discussions to be held with the Planning Commission.

*Appendix I

Universal and Free Primary and Middle-School Education

The Board recommends that universal and free primary education should be provided for all children (age-group 6-11) as soon as possible, in every State and Union Territory and preferably by 1975- 76. If, owing to heavy backlog in development, this time-limit proves unattainable in any State, it may plan for the realization of this goal a little later. But under any circumstances, the programme should be completed by all States and Union Territories by the end of the Fifth Plan. In regard to the children in the age-group 11-14, every effort should be made to bring them all under education, either on a full-time or on a part-time basis, by 1980-81.

The Board recommends that an Expert Committee may be set up by the Planning Commission which, after holding discussions with the different States, may report on-

(a) the time schedule for universalisation of free primary education up to the age of 14 to be adopted by each State;

(b) the best and the most economical method of achieving the objective in (a) above;

(d) the resources to be made available for the purpose by the State Government; and

(e) the contribution to be made by the Central Government towards the above programme.

On the basis of the above Report of the Expert Committee, the total plan outlay for universalisation of free primary education could be determined and this should be treated as the first charge on the national plan before the plan funds are allocated between the Centre and the States.

In the opinion of the Board, three major changes are necessary in the existing system of primary and middle school education :

(i) making multiple entry possible at 6 + 11 + and 14 + ;

(ii) adopting a large programme of part-time education to cover all children who have to work and cannot attend on a full-time basis;

(iii) by utilising the services of national service volunteers, retired teachers, educated and skilled per- sons in the community, on a full-time or part-time basis; and

(iv) full use of mass media.

The Board recommends that the programme should not be understood to mean expansion of facilities only. Qualitative improvement of education is equally important and should be emphasised.

Having regard to the massive size of the programme, both in expansion and improvement of quality, the Board is of the view that there is need for considerable strengthening of the administrative and organisational arrangements at the State and District levels. The same is also needed at the Central level. The responsibility for primary education should be vested in a sufficiently senior and experienced additional Director of Primary Education with the requisite supporting staff. He should be exclusively in charge of primary education and should not be saddled with other responsibilities.

In the opinion of the Board, the advance action for this programme should include (a) expansion of facilities for the age-group 6-11 and 11-14; (b) organisation of part-time education on a commensurate scale to gain experience and to orient teachers, inspecting officers and the public; (c) strengthening of the administrative machinery; and (d) adopting special measures for enrolment of girls and of children from the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other weaker sections of the community.

Special Programmes

The Board recommends that the programmes proposed for the improvement of: (i) content of education and curriculum;

(ii) maintenance of a proper teacher-student ratio; (iii) im- provement of teaching methods; (iv) text-books and other teaching and learning materials; (v) system of examinations;

(vi) improvement of supervision and (vii) introduction or work- experience and vocationalization should be developed on a priority basis.

The fullest use should be made of mass media and modem educational technology in this programme. The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, should set up an Expert Group on this subject and make its findings available at an early date.

Improvement of Standards

The Board approved of the strategy proposed in the Working Paper for improvement of standards, viz., the establishment of model schools as pace-setting institutions, the upgrading of at least 10 per cent of the schools to optimum levels and the raising of all other schools to certain minimum standards. The details of these schemes should be worked out by the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare in consultation with the State Governments.

Elasticity and Dynamism

The Board recommends that every effort should be made to make the education system elastic and dynamic and to encourage initiative and experimentation on the part of schools and teachers. In particular, it is necessary to introduce schemes, both in the Central and State Plans, under which financial assistance will be made available to schools and colleges and teachers for experimentation and innovations. A suitable machinery for the administration of these schemes will have to be devised.

Pre-School Development

The Board aproves of the following proposals regarding the development of a programme for the pre-school child-

(a) The programme should have an integrated approach covering education (which will be activity - centred but will not include formal teaching of language and numbers, health (including immunization), nutrition and welfare;

(b) The programme should be developed through a variety of operational models suited to differing needs, circumstances and resources in different parts of the country;

(c) Full use should be made of local workers, local materials and equipment and the local community should be fully involved in the programme;

(d) A great emphasis should be laid on the training of workers and provision of adequate supervision; and

(e) As different aspects of the programme are being, implemented by a variety of agencies, effective co-ordination between them should be developed at the national, State and local levels.

The Board recommends that, to develop the programme on proper lines as well as to take the necessary advance action for the purpose, a high level Committee or Board dealing with the programmes for the pre-school child may be set up in each State/Union Territory. In the larger interest of the programme, and in order to give it a prestige it urgently needs, the Board requests the Chief Ministers to agree to be the Chairmen of such Committees or Boards. A special officer should also be appointed immediately to plan, implement and co- ordinate the programmes of pre-school development.

In view of the paucity of resources, the Board recommends that the programme should primarily cover the children from the most deprived sections of the society, i.e., children from urban slums, tribal areas and the rural poor, including the scheduled castes and landless agricultural labourers.

The Board recommends that the following advance action should be taken for this programme:

(a) The training of teachers and supervisors should be taken up in the next two years. The responsibility for this programme and its financing devolves on the Central Government; and

(b) The appointment of special officers for the planning and implementation of the pre-school programme should also be taken up immediately with appropriate financial assistance from the Central Government.

Secondary Education

The Board reiterates its earlier recommendation made in the 34th meeting that it is desirable to adopt a uniform pattern of education, viz., 10+2+3, in all parts of the country. It notes with satisfaction that three States have implemented the programme and recommends that it should be implemented in all parts of the country by the end of the Fifth Plan. The Ministry

of Education and Social Welfare Should take up this matter with the State Governments and the University Grants Commission for working out the details.

In the opinion of the Board, vocationalisation of the secondary stage is an essential and urgent reform. The programmes to be prepared for this purpose will have to be based upon detailed manpower estimates formulated on the basis of district surveys. They will also involve the use of the latest educational technology and the latest teaching methods in vocational training. The Board requests the Chairman to set up a group of experts to work out the detailed proposals for vocationalisation of the secondary stage, suitable for different conditions and to make them available to the State Governments for necessary action. The programmes will have to be developed in close collaboration between the Ministries of Education, Health, Labour, Agriculture, Industrial Development, etc. and suitable coordinating machinery for this purpose will have to be created at the Centre, State and District levels.

Higher Education

The Board emphasizes the need for improvement of standards, professional preparation of teachers, improvement of curricula and examination reform, and development of national service programmes to make higher education relevant and meaningful to the youth and national needs. It also emphasizes the improvement of colleges (including the programme of creating autonomous colleges), the development of postgraduate education and the promotion of research. It also stresses the need to extend higher education to neglected areas and to deprived sections of the community and to expand and develop channels of informal education, part-time education and corespondence courses.

The Board emphasizes the crucial importance of relating education and productivity and recommends that experimental projects be organised in selected educational institutions by the University Grants Commission in co-operation with industries. A National Committee may be set tip to plan the development of the programme. The Board also emphasizes the need to develop a close co-ordination between educational institutions and industrial, commercial and agricultural enterprises and recommends that the services of persons engaged in industry, commerce, agriculture and other productive activities be utilized in

university teaching. A Committee should be set up by the UGC to plan this programme.

The Board was happy to learn that a proposal to earmark one per cent of GNP for expenditure on Research and Development is now under the consideration of Government. It desires to highlight the fact that, in spite of a chronic shortage of funds for research, the universities have made a sizeable contribution to scientific research in the country and that they are now well prepared to undertake basic research as a component of R & D, which is likely to play an important part in bringing about national self-reliance. It, therefore, recommends that, in accordance with the generally accepted norms, at least 20 per cent of the R & D expenditure should be reserved for basic research in the universities.

The Board recommends that educational research should receive high priority.

The Board recommends that, in the light of the broad re- commendations made above, the plan for higher education should be drawn up in consultation with UGC/Universities.

Student Unrest

The Central Advisory Board of Education is aware of the widespread discontent and frustration permeating the student and teacher community of the country and the unavoidable need to study the entire problem in depth, and to suggest ways and means to enable them to take full advantages of the educational opportunities and equip themselves to play their proper role in building a new Nation. It therefore resolves to set up a Committee, to be appointed by the Chairman, to go into this matter and submit its report in four months.

National Scholarships Scheme

The Board emphasizes the need to examine the existing system of scholarships at all stages and to evolve a national scholarships policy which is properly oriented to recognize and promote merit, to meet the manpower needs of the nation and do justice to the talented children from the economically and socially underprivileged sections of the society. The Board requests the Chairman to appoint a special Study Group to examine the problem in all its aspects and to submit its report within four

months. The report should be circulated to all State Governments.

Education of Deprived Sections

The Board recommends that the programmes for the spread of education among the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes should be continued and expanded in the Fifth Plan. In addition, it would be desirable to initiate a programme for the spread of education among the most deprived sections of the community also. While it was recognised that the present merit-cum-means criteria governing the award of scholarships should continue, economic backwardness should receive increasing attention.

Nehru Yuvak Kendras and Youth Services

The Board welcomes the establishment of the Nehru Yuvak Kendras. It approves of the proposals to link their functioning with the model and upgraded schools and ultimately with the educational system as a whole.

Adult Literacy

The Board welcomes the following proposals which emphasise the programme of literacy :

(1) Liquidation of illiteracy in the age-group 15-25;

(2) Linking of literacy programmes with employment programmes ; and

(3) The development of a literacy programme amongst adults through voluntary services, especially by college students.

The Board is, however, of the view that a more massive programme for the removal of illiteracy should be launched and that a substantial allocation should be made for the purpose.

Education of Girls

The Board recommends that programmes for the education of girls should receive emphasis at all stages and especially in the universalisation of primary education, liquidation of adult illiteracy and vocational education. It recommends further that adequate allocations should be made for the education of girls in all sectors.

Informal Education

The Board authorises the Chairman to finalise the proposals in respect of informal education in the light of the recommendations of the Committee which has been constituted.

Problems of Hill Areas

The Board authorises the Chairman to finalise the proposals in respect of hill areas in the light of the recommendations of the Committee which has been constituted.

Educational Administration

The Board recommends that the strengthening of educational administration at all levels should be regarded as a priority pro- gramme. The concept of administration. as visualised by the Board, includes, not only financial and personnel administration but also full responsibility of planning and academic work such as curricula, text-books, improvement of the status of teachers, adoption of new teaching methods, examination reform, etc.

The Board recommends that the system of multiple level planning and administration-district, block and institutional-should be introduced.

The Board welcomes the establishment of the National Staff College for Educational Planners and Administrators and recommends that full use thereof should be made by the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.

The Board recommends that an immediate study should be made in- each State regarding the existing situation in educational administration including staff, procedures, delegation of functions and powers, etc. This can be undertaken by a full-time officer of the State Government with financial assistance and guidance from the National Staff College for Educational Planners and Administrators. On the basis of this study, funds should be made available to the States for clearing up the backlog by 1973-74 and for equipping their educational administration for the plan obligations.

The Board recommends that the administrative staff required for developmental programmes should always be included in and sanctioned as a part of the Plan Schemes.

The advance action for the development of educational administration should include : (a) the establishment of Bureaux of Statistics and Information at the Centre and in each State; (b) the strengthening of the State Institutes of Education and State Institutes of Science Education, especially for teacher training programmes ; (c) the strengthening of the administrative and supervisory machinery; and (d) establishment of the National Council of Teacher Education and State Boards of Teacher Education.

The Board recommends that, for purposes of co-ordination and effective development of programmes, it would be essential to have one Secretary at the State level who will look after the programmes of education and culture. It will be desirable also to have him in charge of Social Welfare programmes. Similar coordination will be necessary at the district level also.

Cultural Development

The Board welcomes the proposal to formulate a separate Plan for programmes of cultural development. It authorizes the Chairman to take steps for the formulation of a detailed Plan, on the broad lines recommended by the Conference of Education Secretaries.

Academic Awards

The Chairman recommends that the Chairman should constitute a Committee to consider the proposal for the constitution of State Councils of Academic Awards and place its report before the next meeting.

Reza Shah Pahlevi Prize

The Board congratulates the Governments of Maharashtra on the development of the Gram Shikshan Mohim to which Unesco has awarded the Reza Shah Pahlevi Prize for the eradication of illiteracy.

General

The Board places on record its keen appreciation of the services rendered by out-going members and particularly by Prof. V. K. R. V. Rao and Shri Siddhartha Shankar Ray. It also welcomes the new members.

It was decided that the next meeting of the Board may be held early in 1973.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD

Thirty-Sixth Meeting New Delhi, 18-19 September 1972 RESOLUTIONS