COMMITTEE ON EDUCATIONAL
 STRUCTURE AND
 

The following were present:

1. Chief Minister of U.P.-Chairman.

2. Union Minister of Education.

3. Smt. Aisha Begum, Deputy Minister of Education, Gujarat.

4. Shri I.D.N. Sahi.

5. Prof. M.V. Mathur.

6. Prof. V. V. John.

7. Dr. P. D. Shukla.

8. Shri Jacob Cherian (representing Kerala Education Minister).

9. Shri Pradhan, Joint Director of Education, Gujarat.

10. Shri J. P. Naik.

11. Dr. S. M. S. Chari, Member-Secretary.

The Education Minister, Haryana and the Education Minister of Maharashtra State could not attend the meeting.

2. The Union Education Minister, while welcoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the other members of the Committee, referred to the main issue relating to adoption of a common pattern of school and college classes as recommended by the Education Commission and accepted as part of the National Policy on Education. The question to be considered was in what manner the structural changes are to be implemented. Whether the two years of higher secondary stage should be located in schools or colleges is a matter to be considered by the different States. The Education Minister invited the views of the members of the Committee.

3. The Chairman pointed out that there should be uniformity, not only in respect of the pattern of education, but also in respect of the type of education to be provided in the schools all over the country. In the absence of such a uniform pattern,

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students migrating from one State to another are put to considerable hardship. He referred to the pattern in Uttar Pradesh which has been in existence since a long time, viz., 10+2+2 Any change that is to be made in the existing pattern would present a number of problems, both administrative and financial, besides resistance from the parents as well as general public. He was of the view that secondary education should be made complete in itself by improving its quality and also raising the standard of education. At present the B.A. degree holder is not generally found in any way better than students passing Intermediate Examination in terms of the knowledge and experience gained. For a majority of the common people, secondary education is the most important stage of education. It should, therefore, be made as self-contained as possible.

4. The Chairman further pointed out that while it is necessary to keep the secondary education of 12 years' duration, the question of increasing the Degree course from two to three years would, no doubt, present many practical difficulties. This, therefore, requires to be carefully considered before any further step is taken in this direction.

5. The Union Education Minister referred to the present unsatisfactory condition of the two-year degree colleges in Uttar Pradesh. Both the quality of teachers as well as the standard of education given is poor and with a view to raising the general standard, it is desirable to increase the duration of the degree course from two to three years. It was observed that all the States, except U.P. and the University of Bombay, had adopted the three-year degree course. The Education Minister a reed that this is no doubt a matter which requires to be examined carefully in consultation with the Vice-Chancellors of Universities. However, if the CABE could make a general recommendation to this effect, it would become less difficult for the State Governments, to take the appropriate decisions and action. He also agreed that the changeover, where agreed upon, would necessarily take some time, but the endeavour should be to make a beginning in this direction so that at least by the end of the Fifth Plan, we should be able to introduce the new pattern of education.

6. Prof. John pointed out that the degree courses of Indian universities do not have any international comparability. However, it is necessary to make a thorough study of the difference in respect of attainment of students following 14 years' education vis-a-vis 15 years' education.

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7. Prof. Mathur referred to the need of making recruitment to the various services, both in the government and public sector, soon after 12 years of schooling. All Government recruitments should be open after 12 years of schooling and the minimum age for eligibility to take the service examination may be reduced from 20 to 18 years.

8. The Education Minister pointed out that the difference between pass and honours degree courses should be only in respect of levels of attainment and not -in respect of duration of the course. However, this is a matter which is to be considered by the UGC and the Universities.

9. After discussing the problem from all, points of view, the Chairman expressed the opinion that there is need for a uniform pattern of education in the country. He was also of the view that the recommendation made by the Education Commission and included in the National Policy Resolution was worthy of consideration. He, however, felt that in so far as the applicability of this recommendation to Uttar Pradesh is concerned, he would be able to give a firm opinion only after holding consultations with the concerned educational authorities in the State.

10. It was finally agreed that the Committee should reconmend to the Central Advisory Board of Education that it would be desirable to adopt the uniform pattern of education, i.e. 10 + 2 + 2 in all parts of the country by the end of the fifth Five-Year Plan. On the acceptance of this recommendation by the Board, the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare may take up the matter for detailed discussion with all the State Governments, the University Grants Commission and the Universities. In the light of these discussions, a detailed proposal, with estimates of cost, may be formulated and brought before the next meeting of the Board for taking a final decision.

11. With regard to the vocationalisation of Secondary Education, the Union Education Minister pointed out that vocationalisation that is to be adopted must involve the use of the latest educational technology, i.e. the use of the latest teaching methods in the process of vocational training. Three types of training are essential :

(a) Training for the diploma holders of polytechnics;

(b) In-service training of the existing craft teachers; and

(c) In-service training for part-time teachers working in the schools.

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12. The Chairman emphasised the need for making a comprehensive survey of the manpower requirements for different vocations. Any vocationalisation introduced should be related to the actual needs of the different sectors and whatever training is given should also have some useful bearing upon the need of the different industries and the employers.

13. After discussion, it was finally agreed that diversification of courses is essential at the higher secondary stage of education as there is no other alternative to overcome the present problems the country is facing with regard to the rush of admissions to the universities and also the increasing unemployment problem among the youth. However, before this is done, a thorough survey of the manpower requirements would have to be conducted by the State Governments in terms of the various vocations a the district level. After the survey has been made, the experts will have to work out further details of the type of vocational courses to be provided in schools.

14. After the CABF has accepted the recommendation, an inter- departmental committee would be set up consisting of the representatives of the various Ministries, such as Health, Education, Labour, Agriculture, Industrial Development, for purposes of coodrination, with similar co-ordination arrangements in the States.

Resolutions recommended for the consideration of the Central Advisory Board of Education

15. On behalf of the Committee, it was decided that the following resolutions may be placed before the CABE:

(1) It would be desirable to adopt a uniform pattern of education, i.e., 10+2+3 in all parts of the country by the end of the Fifth Five Year Plan. The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare should take up this matter for detailed discussions with all the State Governments and the University Grants Commission. In the light of these discussions, a detailed proposal, with estimates of costs, may be formulated and brought before the next meeting of the Board for taking a final decision.

(2) 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

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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 coordinated machinery for this purpose will have to be created at the Centre, State and District levels.

The committee concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

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