 IV. SPEECH OF SHRI N. JANARDHANA
 REDDY, CM, ANDHRA PRADESH AND
 CHAIRMAN, CABE COMMITTEE ON
 POLICY

At the outset, I am grateful to the Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao and Minister of Human Resource Development and Chairman CABE for entrusting me with the onerous responsibility of chairing the CABE Committee on Polilcy. I feel singularly honoured by this task as I have an abiding interest in education having started my professional life as a teacher .

2. It would not have been possible for me to discharge the onerous task but for the, cooperation of the members of the Committee. All the members were so understanding and had spared so much of their precious time for the task. The membership of the Committee truly reflected the plurality of Indian society there were Ministers representing various regions and major political parties. There were also distinguished eductionsists. Participation in the Committee was a great educational experience. The discussions were focussed and around a well structured agenda. We sought to consider educational issue in a national perspective reconciling our different perceptions. We all felt that education could not be and should not be an exercise to project a point of view or to contest a point of view; education has to be an exercise which informs the people, empowers them and makes them capable as citizens of this country to see, learn, decide and stand up for what is right for

themselves, for the society and for the country.

We were strongly of the view that we cannot allow sectarian considerations to come in; while considering education we have to adopt a national perspective.

3. Education, like religion, should be kept away from politics. Education Policy of any developing nation, when once formulated with wide consultations, should be given a fair trail of implementation, should be reviewed constantly before any revisions are contemplated. Any Policy should have some continuity in the interest of the student community. Time has come, at least in our country, to make national integration, the main objective of our Policy. Education cannot survive in isolation nor should it be seen in isolation. Devoid of its inter relationship with society, it will lack in its purpose. No development should be seen out of its social context. History is replete with many such instances of development objectives not being linked with social conditions resulting in conflicts and confusion. Todays biggest need is national integration and social harmony and education cannot afford to and should not ignore it.

4. Our Committee very much appreciated the comprehensive report prepared by Acharya Ramamurti Committee. The report contains valuable data and many suggestions for implementation. We considered the report objectively and with due deference to the scholarship and meticulous study underlying the report. We had taken into account the recommendations made by this Committee and also the developments in education since 1986 which

have a bearing on policy. our task was made easy in that we had detailed and expert comments from the State Governments, Central Departments, especially the Department of Education, and also some of you. We could freely draw upon the long and invaluable experience in eduction of Bordiaji.

5. The NPERC itself had made it explicit that much of what was contained in its report was dealt with by many committees and commissions; however, many of the ideas and concepts had remained on paper without being translated into action and, therefore, its effort was largely one of advising on possible alternative modalities. We are in agreement with the Ramamurti Committee in this regard and we broadly endorsed the NPE, 1986. However, certain modifications which had been necessitated in the light of the developments since 1986 have been suggested. While very little of Policy required reformulation, the Programme of Action needs to be revised thoroughly.

6. The NPERC expressed deep concern for the principle of equity and social justice. We are one with them. For that special effort needs to be made for educational upliftment of SCS, STs and other weaker sections. This Committee also made very valuable suggestions in regard to vocational education. Its commitment to work experience is commendable. We were wholly in agreement with the recommendation that a generic vocational course should be compulsory for all students, particularly in secondary education.

7. Though there was no unanimity of opinion in the NPERC in regard to Navodaya Vidyalayas, they had suggested various alternatives which we had taken note of. Though one or two of us had a different point of view, we were of the view that the scheme should continue and that a Navodaya Vidyalaya should be set up in each district as originally envisaged subject to the following observations:

i) Constant review to keep the scheme as cost effective as possible,

ii) ensuring the continued validity and reliability of admission test by periodic evaluation and appropriate modifications of admission procedure,

iii)more particular attention to the pace-setting role of these institutions and proper care of the students of Navodaya Vidyalayas after they finish their schooling, and

iv) A scheme needs to be formulated for central financial support to residential schools. In this scheme priority should be given to ST areas and areas predominantly inhabited by SCs.

8. The Ramamurti committee had made valuable suggestions in the area of early childhood care and education. While we do not agree with the recommendation that the scope of Article 45 should be enlarged, we recommended that the other recommendations which broadly relate to implementation modalities should be taken into account while revising the Programme of Action.

9. Some of the other important recommendations made by our Committee are the following:

i) Every effort should be made to ensure that the Constitutional obligation to provide free and compulsory education up to the age of 14 years becomes reality before we enter the 21st century.

ii) The dual-track approach of promoting simultaneously UEE and adult literacy should continue to inform educational planning.

iii)Programme of post-literacy and continuing education should be planned for neo-literates and youth passing out of primary system.

iv) The policy should be reformulated to bring about new initiatives that are required in secondary education.

V) The feasibility of a two-year composite programme for students who complete the + 2 stage, comprising paramilitary service, development of vocational and professional skills, and extension work in rural areas be studied.

vi) The State Government should be given greater say in the functioning of the AICTE. The AICTE as presently organised with inadequate staff and without delegation of powers to the regional committees is not serving the purpose for which it was set up. Therefore, our Committee strongly recommended delegation of powers to the Regional Committees of the AICTE with State Government representatives acting as Chairmen by

rotation.

vii)Specialised educational tribunals be constituted for redress of grievances.

viii) Our Committee recommended that the Anganwadi worker should play an expanded role and should be the focal point for a number of activities and support service for women and children such as child care, family welfare, nutrition and health. The recruitment an training of Anganwadi workers should be so organised a to ensure that they have the necessary skills an motivation to discharge the expanded role. This, I believe, is the surest way to answer the clarion call given by our beloved Prime minister to make the Government reach the grass root level effectively and integrate village, level programmes in a single functionary.

10. An important area which exercised our mind very much was that of resources. The Committee very strongly felt that. education should be given real high priority and should not be treated as a residual sector in the matter of allocation. We recommended that need-based financing requirements be provide for priority areas like UEE, Adult Literacy are Vocationalisation. We also suggested certain measures to complement higher budgetary allocation such as prioritisati within educational sector in the matter of allocation governmental resources and progressively making higher education and technical education largely self-financiing.

11 I do hope that all of You will consider our recommendations in the spirit with which we have been able to envisage them and give the benefit of your advice for such revision of Policy as you thin). fit in this august body. I wish your delebrations all success.

IV. SPEECH OF SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY, CM, ANDHRA PRADESH AND CHAIRMAN, CABE COMMITTEE ON POLICY