 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE
 CONFERENCE

adopted by

The Conference of Education Secretaries and

Directors of Public Instruction/Education

1. A Plan of Action

1.1. The conference broadly approves of the overall strategy of educational development outlined in the address of the Chairman and approves of the five point plan of action suggested by him.

2. Elementary Education

2.1. The conference resolves that, in view of its vital signi- ficance, the programme of providing universal elementary education for the age group 6-14 should be pursued relentlessely in spite of finacial stringency and fully implemented within a period of ten years at the most.

2.2. The conference is convinced that this goal cannot be realised through the present practice of an exclusive reliance on the formal system of education with its single point entry, sequential character and full-time institutional instruction with full time professional teachers. The conference, therefore, recommends that a radical reconstruction of the existing system should be carried out through the adoption of multiple-entry system and a large scale programme of part-time education for those children who cannot attend schools, for some reason or the other, on a whole-time basis. Programmes for such reconstruction should, therefore, be drawn up immediately in all States.

2.3. A massive programme of educating public opinion in favour of these changes should be launched by the State Departments of Education, State Institutes of Education, the Inspectorate and the teaching community. The State Departments

of Education should make special efforts to orient the teachers to meet the new challenges.

2.4. The new curricula needed for the purpose, the necessary learning and teaching materials and techniques will have to be immediately prepared by the State Institutes of Education. The NCERT should take an initiative in this matter on the basis of priority and give guidance to the State Institutes of Education.

2.5. Every State should set up a Working Group to prepare a concrete and realistic programme for provision of universal elementary education within its area in a period of ten years. This programme will have to be made financially feasible not only through the introduction of non-formal elements within the existing system, but also by more intensive utilization of existing facilities. Side by side, steps will have to be initiated to prepare district plans and ultimately even village level plans. In these plans, the highest emphasis will have to' be placed on extending the programme to the girls and to the weaker sections of the community, especially the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes. In tribal areas, priority will have to be given even for creation of facilities for formal education as a first step in the provision of universal education through both formal and non-formal channels.

2.6. The magnitude of the task which is yet to be accomplished in the provision of universal elementary education varies largely from State to State and unfortunately it is very high in those States which do not have adequate financial resources. The conference recommends that a new pattern of assistance should be evolved for universal elementary education under which special funds should be earmarked by the Centre to the States.

3.Secondary Education

3.1. The Conference welcomes the proposal made by the All India Council of Technical Education to set up a National Council of Vocational Education and State Councils of Vocational Education for coordinating the vocational education programmes of various departments of the Government and of industry, The National Council of Vocational Education may act as a clearing house of ideas and as the main agency for dissemination of information of Works done in this field in the States.

3.2. The conference recommends that the State Departments may take into account the impediments which are coming in the way of the adoption of the 10+2+3 pattern and the introduction of vocational courses. They may also work out their requirements of funds and prepare a working paper on this for the consideration of the Central Government.

3.3. The conference recommends that additional funds be provided to the State Governments for the adoption of the new educational pattern of 10+2+3.

3.4. The conference feels that the amount of Rs. 10 crores provided in the Central plan for the introduction of vocational courses at the higher secondary stage is inadequate and recommends that this amount should be substantially increased.

3.5. The conference is of the view that, in the matter of introduction of vocational courses, the approach should be expe- rimental and the State Governments should have freedom to make modifications suiting the socioeconomic conditions prevailing in the State.

3.6. The Conference urges that equivalence of credits should be provided between vocational and academic courses to facilitate transfer From one course to the other.

3.7. The Conference stresses the need for a pooling up of the resources and for making coordinated utilisation of the plan and non- plan funds provided for vocational education and training by different departments of Government as well as in private sector. The new courses to be started should take into account existing facilities to meet the needs of skilled and middle level personnel in the concerned districts/States.

3.8. The. Conference strongly recommends that State Departments should explore the possibility of using non-formal educational methods, particularly correspondence courses and evening classes, for imparting vocational education. NCERT may work out model curricula and syllabi for such courses and provide guidelines to the State Departments.

3.9. The Conference urges the State Departments and Boards of Education to implement the plan of action for examination reform contained in the Government of India Paper "Examination Reform -a Plan of Action".

4. Higher Education

4.1. The Conference endorses the suggestions contained, in the note on "Higher Education during the Fifth Five Year Plan" and recommended that keeping in view the magnitude of the tasks to be performed, the Plan allocations for higher education, both in the Central and State Sectors, should not be less than those provided in the Budget Estimates for 1974-75. The Conference would also emphasizes in particular the need to develop Correspondence Course on a large scale.

4.2. Considering the restraint on resources and the need for maintenance of standards, as well as to safeguard against unplanned growth of universities and colleges, the guidelines provided by the University Grants Commission for establishment of new universities should be strictly observed.

4.3. The Conference feels that no new college should be started. There may, however, be need for starting colleges in backward areas on special considerations and also for giving opportunities for higher education to the weaker sections of the community. The location of such colleges should, however, be carefully planned so that they become viable units.

4.4. The courses in the colleges should be related to the socio- economic Deeds of the area.

4.5. In order to give a more balanced academic programme to the students in a society, which is being increasingly brought under the influence of science and technology, some universities may try to develop new types of science-cum-humanities courses programme at the under-graduate level.

4.6. Post-Graduate education should be provided, as tar as possible, in University departments, post-graduate centres and through a coordinated programme by groups of colleges.

4.7. Special efforts may be made to diversify general education courses in arts, science and commerce, particularly at the under- graduate level, so as to relate these to national problems and to employment opportunities. Such courses, as far as possible, be planned in collaboration with the appropriate industries, trade and business organisations in the neighbourhood.

4.8. Research programmes in universities should be more and more related to the socioeconomic and other needs of the area, region and the country.

4.9. In the matter of U.G.C. grants to universities, priority should be given for restructuring and reorganisation of courses and examination reforms.

4.10. It was noted that in the case of U.G.C. grants for development of colleges, a, considerable element of matching share was involved. In view of this and the fact that some of the schemes involving recurring expenditure would become the liability of the State Governments at the end of the Plan period, it was necessary that they should be associated while considering the Plan proposals of the colleges. It was suggested that while submitting their applications for U.G.C. grants to the universities, the colleges should simultaneously submit a copy of the scheme to the State Governments who will communicate their views to the concerned university and these views should be incorporated in the recommendations of the university to the Commission. A time schedule should be worked out for each university, so as to ensure that applications are received by the U.G.C. in time.

4.11. The Conference feels that the scheme of revision of pay scales of university and college teachers announced by the Central Government would have many sided implications and problems and, therefore, felt that these may be discussed in detail by the C.A.B.E.

4.12. The Conference endorses the recommendations made in the U.G.C. paper in "Examination Reform-A Plan of Action". Universities and colleges should be encouraged to undertake reforms and due assistance should be given to the universities for introducing them.

5. Non-Formal Education

5.1. The Conference welcomes and endorses the strategy proposed by the Ministry of Education of providing programmes of non-formal education to adults, with priority emphasis on the age-group 15-25. It recommends :

(a) that all State Plans should henceforth include programmes of non-formal education as an integral part of educational provisions;

(b) that suitable machinery be set up in each State to formulate, devise and implement programmes of nonformal education integrated and inter-linked with the formal systems;

(c) that adequate financial allocations be made in the State plans for non-formal education for this age-group on the basis of well-defined norms set up by the State Government (guidelines on the subject may be given by the Government of India);

(d) that the programme should be flexible, diversified and functionally related to the needs and interests of youth and should equip them for informed participation in developmental activities;

(e) that by the end of the Fifth Plan an effort should be made to cover at least six to seven million illiterates in this age-group

(f) that during the current year 1974-75, all efforts be made to begin the programme in (a), one district in each State with central assistance and (b) at least one additional district with State funds.

5.2. The Conference also recommends that the Functional Literacy Programme which represents the single largest ongoing activity, should be strengthened and expanded; and that similar functional literacy programmes should be developed in relation to other developmental, schemes appropriate to rural and 'urban situations;

5.3. The Conference further recommends that the adult edu-cation programmes should form an in-built part of every developmental activity whether in the rural, or urban, public or private sector, and that every Central and State Ministry/Department should make appropriate provision in the respective scheme.

6. Youth Programmes

6.1. The Conference lays special emphasis on the development of programmes for and by youth and recommends that these

should be developed in the Fifth Five-Year Plan on a priority basis. In particular, it makes the following recommendations :

(a) The programme of Nehru Yuvak Kendras should be developed further. The involvement of the State Governments in the formulation and implementation of this programme should be deepened. An appro- priate Organisation to achieve these objectives should be set up.

(b) The National Service Scheme which is also a programme of qualitative improvement, should have a priority on available resources. The present tempo of the programme, including the special camps, should be maintained and expanded. An effort should be made to see that every student who wishes to participate in the programme is provided with an opportunity to do so.

(c) Each State should utilise at least 1000 graduate volunteers in their various development projects on a stipendiary basis. Suitable arrangements for orientation and training of these volunteers should be made and for this central assistance Would be provided. Suitable 'incentives, including some weightage in re- cruitment, should be given to such volunteers by way of recognition of their services.

7. Education of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

This Conference considers the spread of education amongst the scheduled castes and, scheduled tribes as of vital importance for the development of the society and also the national economy and recommends that highest priority should be accorded to all such programmes in the educational strategy of each State. While appreciating the steps taken for the preparation of sub plans for tribal areas and the continuance of the post-matric scholarships the Conference also recommends that-

(a) the sub-plans which are at various stages of preparation should be got completed with expedition and speed so that they are put on the ground (luring the current year itself;

(b) the special coaching and guidance schemes intended for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe students should be implemented forthwith;

(c) a distinct strategy should be involved for achieving educational targets in respect of children belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

8. Strengthening of Educational Administration

The Conference emphasises the need for strengthening educational administration from the planning upto the implementation and the evaluation stage, particularly in view of the increasing responsibilities to be shouldered and the new challenges to be met by the educational administrators during the Fifth Five Year Plan period and recommends that-

(a) there should be a sufficiently staffed Planning and Evaluation Wing headed by a senior officer in the Education Department of each State;

(b) there should be a Statistical Organisation in the Education Department from the district level upto the State level in order to collect, collate and process data for realistic planning and effective implementation of educational programmes;

(c) there should be adequate strengthening of supervisory and inspecting staff. At the same time, innovative practices like school complexes and greater delegation of powers should be adopted;

(d) in order to ensure an integrated approach to problems of Educational Administration, suitable steps should be taken to coordinate the activities of all departments concerned both at the State and National level.

9.Cultural Programmes

9.1. The Conference reiterates the views 'expressed at its last meeting particularly the principle that the spheres of science, edu- cation and 'culture are not exclusive and that unless culture permeated all aspects of education and scientific disciplines, it will not be able to effectively reorient the basic values in the educational system. The Board accordingly recommends-

(a) That the cultural content of the curriculum of the pre-school, primary, middle secondary and higher secondary stages should be developed;

(b) that extra-curricular cultural activities should be encouraged in schools and in all institutions of higher studies;

(c) that extra-curricular studies conducive to cultural development should be encouraged by improvement of library facilities.

9.2. The Conference also recognises the need to make available for public view and appreciation, to the greatest extent possible, the vast heritage of sculpture, painting, manuscript and other works of art. The importance of museums in creating among the people, especially the young, interest in our cultural heritage has not yet been fully appreciated. The Archaeological Survey of India and various other organisations as well as some of the large museums have collections which are far in excess of what they can display.

9.3. The Conference recommends that the State Governments, large Municipal bodies and Universities should set apart adequate accommodation for museums and create facilities for better appreciation of objects of art.

9.4. The Conference also recommends that the possibility of utilising for the purpose palaces and other large houses which are not required any more for residential purposes should be explored.

9.5. The Conference would urge the need for immediate steps to ensure adequate security arrangements to prevent damage, theft or substitution of exhibits. That the Archaeological Survey of India and other organisations and large museums should lend on a tenure basis exhibits from their surplus collection and arrange for periodic verification of such loaned exhibits. High periority should be given to the implementation of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972 with a view to checking the loss of valuable art treasures.

10. Coordination and Collaboration between Centre and States

The Conference records its sense of appreciation of the growing coordination between the Centre and the State Governments in respect of curriculum development and reform, textbook evaluation, streamlining of educational structure and educational planning. It recommends that the tempo gained by this close cooperation between the States and the Centre is put to maximum use not only for the purpose of educational reconstruction but also for national integration. This Conference further recommends that in order to achieve better coordination, there should be regular and periodical meetings both at regional and national level.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE