VIII. WRITTEN STATEMENTS OF STATE
 EDUCATION MINISTERS AND OTHER
 MEMBERS OF CABE.
 

1. Dr. P. V. Ranga Rao, Education Minister, Andhra Pradesh.

2. Shri R. K. Khrimey, Education Minister, Arunachal Pradesh.

3. Shri Vinaykumar P. Usgaonker, Education Minister, Goa.

4. Shri E. T. Mohammed Basheer, Education Minister, Kerala.

5. Smt. C. Nagamma Keshavamurthy, Education Minister Karnataka.

6. Shri Salim Zakaria, Minister for School Education, Maharashtra.

7. Shri Prabhakar Dharkar, Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Maharashtra.

8. Shri I. Imkong, Minister of School Education, Nagaland.

9. Shri Mahendra Singh, Minister of School Education, Madhya Pradesh

10. Dr. Henry Lamin, Minister in-charge, Meghalaya.

11. Shri C. P. Majhi, Minister for School and Mass Education, Orissa.

12. Prof.K. Ponnusamy,Minister for Education, Tamilnadu.

13. Shri Anil Sarkar, Minister for Education Tripura.

14. Shri Anisur Rahaman, Minister of State for Primary, Secondary & Madrash Education, West Bengal.

15. Statement of Smt. Amarjit Kaur , Chairman, Central Social Welfare Board, New Delhi.

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Speech of Dr. P. V. Ranga Rao, M.A., Ph.D. (Political Science) M. A. (Indology), L.L.B. & B. J. Minister for Secondary Education, Archaeolgy & Museums

I must, at the outset, thank the Hon'ble Minister for Human Resource Development for having convened this meeting of thee Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) to discuss two important reports concerning education. Sir, you deserve to be richly complemented for having focused world's attention on EDUCATION FOR ALL in December, 1993 through the historic EFA Summit resulting in the Delhi Decla- ration as also the nation's attention through the Chief Minister's conference in February, 1994. We are certain that under your stewardship, the goal of Education For All will be a reality. I must also thank, you for having made CABE a vibrant body, meeting at regular intervals to discuss various issues that require a concensual approach.

Both the reports-the Yashpal Committee Report on LEARNING WITHOUT BURDEN, including the Chaturvedi Group report and the Report of the CABE committee on Physical Education and Sports have been received with interest in our State. I am happy to inform you that we have had a very interesting and lively debate on the first report through five zonal workshops. A State level workshop was held on 21st February, 1994 which I had the pleasure of chairing. A wide cross section of the society participated in the deliberations. While there was general appreciation of the concerns expressed by the Yashpal Committee and the recommendations made thereon, it was also felt that the Committee covered a wide range of issues, each of which perhaps once again requires detailed examination at least at the State level in order to achieve the objectives envisaged. Newertheless, the Yashpal Committee Report has helped to turn our attention once again to some of the vital issues. We are in broad agreement with the Chaturvedi Committee report. In fact, we have already taken action to implement some of the recommendations. In this regard, mention must be made of the efforts being made by my department to generate textbooks for classes I and II through the Teacher centres in each district. We hope to have the manuscripts very shortly whereupon the process of evaluation and testing will be undertaken. There is no doubt that involvement of teachers with the right expertise will go a long way to improve the standard of text books and delivery of education, Expert academicians will continue to be associated with the design of curriculum, syllabus and textbooks.

We also share the concern about the need for adequate teacher training both pre-service and in-service. We are happy to inform that all our 23 DIETs are functional. As regards in service training we have designed a proposal for establishment of sub-DIETs where teachers would be trained once in 3 to 4 years. These sub-DIETs are expected to provide systematic and periodic in service training to teachers. leading to improved teacher competencies.

This proposal was sent to the Ministry of HRD for necessary approval. We have also sent another proposal for strengthening of SCERT. I do hope these proposals will meet with your approval shortly. I am also happy to inform you that the Andhra Pradesh Primary Education Project being implemented in the State, has as its main objective the improvement of teachers' skills in order to make the classroom attrac- tive so as to reduce, the dropout rate and enable the attainment of the minimum levels of learning. The evaluation of this project has indicated a very positive results. One of the significant aspects of the APPEP is the Teacher centres which we propose to further strengthen during the course of next year.

While we agree that the existing norms for Teacher: Pupil ratio should be enforced, bringing the ratio down to the level of 1:30 will be fraught with considerable financial implications. We have riot yet eliminated the problem of multi-grade teaching and multi-grade classroom in our schools. It is therefore, essential that we should focus our attention on these issues which, incidentially, will also have the effect of improving the teacher : pupil ratio.

A pioneering effort in Andhra Pradesh has been the A.P. Open School which has succeeded in giving education to working children and particularly those in backward areas. Currently, its operations extend to 60 mandals in five districts. This experiment which is unique in the country has the twin advantage of enabling children to learn at their own pace and a novel system of examination where the children are examined every trimester. The results of A.P. Open School have been very encouraging. We are anxious that the benefits of this system should be available throughout the State so as to serve as an effective model of Non-formal education and to particularly subserve girls as well as children of the weaker sections, among whom the dropout rate is higher. In this direction, we have already sent a proposal for Central assistance for establishing 13,800 centres. I earnestly request you to kindly give your concurrence to the said proposal before the end of the current financial year.

Andhra Pradesh is a pioneering State also in so far as Audio- visual education is concerned. The main problem in Audio-visual education is however twofold. Firstly, while Government of India make provision for Colour TV sets, it makes no provision for supply of video cassettes. I request that the Government of India may provide money for the same. We have necessary infrastructure in the form of the State Institute of Educational Technology (SIET) to produce the necessary films. In fact, a large number of films are being produced and being telecast in the Teleschool programme. Government of India's assi-

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stance in supplying of video cassettes will therefore go a long way in improving the, efficiency of Audiovisual technology. Likewise, Audio cassettes also require to be supplied. The second constraint is the training of teachers in handling audio-visual technology. As we have observed in the programme Operation Black Board, orienting teachers' skills takes time.

I am happy to inform you that the report, of the CABE Committee on Physical Education and Sports was also discussed at the State level Workshop held at 21-2-94. We are in general agreement that Physical education and sports must form an integral part of education and that a specific and adequate time should be kept aside everyday fox this purpose. This should however be without adversely affecting the academic time-table. We are also in agreement with thee recom- mendation that sports competitions should be organised at various levels and that mass participation activities may be organised periodically in schools and colleges. The proposal for annual physical fitness test for all students and teachers is good in principle but has to be planned and implemented carefully. In the setting up of standards, the test should be so designed as to promote physical fitness consciousness among teachers rather than being a unitive measure. Likewise, care should be taken to avoid imposition of physical fitness standards on children and teachers with delicate constitutions.

The recommendations of the CABE Committee that every institution should charge certain monthly fee for sports would perhaps be difficult to implement. This is a delicate matter which requires careful consideration. We are in agreement with the recommendation of the Committee that Yoga should be introduced from secondary stage onwards. In fact, our Chief Minister has already announced on 14th November, 1993 that Yoga would be introduced in all High schools from, the year 1994-95. Accordingly, we are drawing up of a programme of training atleast one teacher in every High school in Yoga. The recom- mendations of the Committee for starting of special schools with provision of infrastructure and coaches is indeed welcome. This would however require financial assistance from Government of India. The Committee itself however stated that it would acquire certain additional expenditure. I request you. sir, to take this up as a Central scheme, so that we can immediately identify suitable schools.

In conclusion, we agree with the spirit of the recommendations of both the Chaturvedi Group on the Yashpal Committee report and the report of the CABE Committee on Physical Education and Sports. Details will have to be worked out, which will take some more time. I request that Government of India may formulate suitable central schemes so that the state Government can be given necessary financial assistance.

I thank you for giving me this opportunity for presenting our views.

ADDRESS OF SHRI R. K. KHRIMEY, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY GOVERNMENT OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

I am happy to be present in this august gathering today to share my view points with all of you. It is indeed a matter of deep satisfaction that this meeting of Central Advisory Board of Education is taking place soon after a historic meeting on very vital educational matters under the Chairmanship of our Hon'ble Prime Minister on the 15th of last month. The enlightening directions given by the Hon'ble Prime Minister will be followed in letter and spirit. I also join hands with all for Human Resource Development and his Ministry for very sustained efforts to give momentum to the cause of educational reconstruction in the country.

For certain constraints, I could not be present in the last meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education on 15th October, 1993. However, I had sent my detailed response to the agenda items and I am sure , the enlightened members have found some time to glance through the same. I take this opportunity to mention once again that the educational scenario in Arunachal Pradesh is first undergoing a refreshing transformation and among other things the concept of quality education is capturing the imagination of the people. The overall literacy percentage is no longer in a dismal state and I am confident to mention that in another three to five years, the male and female literacy ratio will almost be at par.

Our esteemed Chief Minister has already focused light on diverse areas of educational scenario and Arunachal Pradesh in the last conference of Hon'ble Chief Ministers on 15th February, 1994. I am, therefore, refraining from going into all the details. I, however, repeat for the benefit of all concerned that we are trying our level, best to build in Arunachal Pradesh the clement of coherence in the overall administrative structure of education. We are in tune with the National Education Policy and we firmly believe that the basic goal of Education for All will be achieved only when formal, non- formal and adult education components are viewed as one composite unit. The literacy movement in Arunachal Pradesh is having all the political support and our drop-out rates are coming down gradually.

Our response to all aspects of educational reconstruction will soon be highlighted in our State Programme of Action. We hope to complete this exercise in another two months time. Our response will be on the basis of our realistic appraisal of the ground realities and on the basis of what we should actually aim at for the betterment of our educational prospects in the next two decades.

Now on the first agenda item pertaining to the report of the National Advisory Committee on reduction of academic burden, on the school students, I had submitted my response partially in the last meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education through circulation of my address. We, in Arunachal Pradesh have had a close look at the basic recommendations of Professor Yashpal Committee and the subsequent effort made by the Ministry of Human Resource Development Group to have a realistic appraisal of the Committee's recommendations. While appreciating the broad based recommendations of the Committee we find that the recommendations made by the Ministry of Human Resource Development Group have taken into consideration the ground realities. The current education scenario of the country requires a practical approach on the subject. We also feel that it may not be desirable to encourage only the group activities and do away with all individual achievement and rewards, Moreover, involvement of teachers in the curriculum framing is no doubt a good idea but for various important factors decentralisation of curriculum framing beyond the state level will not be realistic proposition. Recently, a group of senior education officers in Arunachal Pradesh has also gone through the recommendations of Professor Yashpal Committee which are indeed laudable in objective. However, taking a pragmatic view of the ground realities, the education officers have more or less sided with the view points expressed by the Human Resource Development Group for implementing Professor Yaspal Committee recommendations in a meaningful manner.

We are in agreement with Professor Yashpal Committee that formal class room teaching at preschool stage is some-what counter - productive for sustaining the interest of the child. We are emphasis- ing on the medium of play for spontanious and all round development of the children. We are somewhat handicapped also in this area as we are not having many trained teachers to take care of early childhood education. But, in any case, we have taken note on this aspect and we would like to see our children in Arunachal Pradesh more joyful in years to come.

The reduction of academic burden on the school students is also being given a careful thought in Arunachal Pradesh. We are slowly and gradually trying to reduce this burden. A number of supplementary books in various classes are being dispensed with. It is, however, felt that the basic idea of a national core curriculum has its own value and the NCERT curriculum for the school stage has been accepted by all the states including Arunachal Pradesh. Much interference of substantial nature in this area does not appear to be possible at this stage.

Similarly, we also agree that the voluntary organisations with a strong commitment to education have distinct role to play for educational advancement and we

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are giving whole hearted support to this cause. However the fact remains that barring institutions like Ramakrishna Mission, Bonyi Polo Mission, Swami Vivekananda Shiksha Kendra etc. we do not have any other solid voluntary organisations in Arunachal Pradesh. Then again, we are also in agreement with the recommendation that sufficient contingency amount should be placed at the disposal of the heads of schools for purchase, repair and replacement of basic equipments.

Our norms for granting recognition to private schools are also on sound lines and we certainly do not want commercialisation on this account. The use of electronic media to make educational programmes available to the students and teachers is also being encouraged as a progressive measure. By and large, we have no basic area of disagreement with regard to the enlightened suggestions emanating from the National Advisory Committee and the further realistic assessment made by the Ministry of Human Resource Development Group.

In respect of the second agenda item regarding the report of C.A.B.E. Sub-Committee for Integrating education with Sports and Physicals education-I would like to make certain observations. The basic report has been made available to us only very recently and we are currently carefully going the details for our practical response in the context of Arunachal Pradesh as on date and Arunachal Pradesh in next two decades. Undoubtedly, the report is a comprehensive one and Hon'ble Members who worked so very hard in submitting this comprehensive report deserve our appreciation. The recommendation that low-cost sports and physical infrastructure should be developed in schools and colleges should receive our whole hearted support . The optimum utilisation of the infrastructure will also be necessary for becoming cost effective. An important recommendation of the Sub- Committee is that physical education and sports should be made a compulsory part of the curriculum and assigned atleast 40 minuts everyday preferably as the first period daily. An other recommendation of the Sub-Committee, we find, is that all subject teachers in schools should be trained as physical education teachers. These recommendations are quite important and will surely be given definite importance in Arunachal Pradesh to the extent found feasible right now. We have our own problem areas. Our infrastructure for games and sports is not adequate and in the hilly region of the state, most of the schools do not have proper play ground. The re- commendation of the committee or collection of some sort of monthly fees from the students for procurement and replacement of sports equipments is no doubt a practical one. The recommendation for setting up of a special fund on fifty-fifty basis by the Govt. of India and the State Govt. concerned for sports infrastructural and organisational work is certainly a sound one. But for a remote and developing state like Arunachal Pradesh, the sharing pattern between the Centre and the State under this scheme should be eighty-twenty as a measuse of practical necessity. Further, the recommendation of the Committee to identify talented youths of the school for competent coaching and for providing proper facilities in selected schools to bring them at national/inter-national standard is again welcome.

With these words, I now end my submission. My grateful thanks to all of you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you. I am sure, the deliberations of this august body will result in very fruitful action.

SPEECH DELIVERED BY SHRI VINAYKUMAR P. USGAONKER, GOA. MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE