CABE, 43RD MEETING, 1988, 11-12 MARCH

 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
 CENTRAL ADVISORY BOARD OF
 EDUCATION HELD ON MARCH 11-12,
 1988 AT NEW DELHI.

The 43rd meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education took place at IIT, New Delhi on March 11-12, 1988. The Conference was attended by the Education Ministers of States and other Members of the CABE. It was chaired by Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao, Minister for Human Resource Development. The meeting was also attended by the Union Minister for Health, Ministers of States for Education & Culture and Welfare. Chairman University Grants Commission, Prof. Yashpal, and Member (Education) Planning Commission, Prof. P.N. Srivastava also attended, The names of the participants are at Annexure I.

On the first day, CABE reviewed the implementation of the National Policy on Education 1986. Welcoming the participants, the Union Education Secretary and Member-Secretary of CABE briefly explained the purpose of the meeting and requested the Chairman to inaugurate the Conference.

In his inaugural address the Minister for Human Resource Development stated that the National Policy on Education had made considerable head way during the year 1987 and that there had been a spectacular response from virtually all the States to the programmes of the Operation Blackboard, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Non-formal Education devised under the National Policy on Education.

He further stated that considerable progress has also been made in the sphere of content and process of education. A model curriculum, with minimum learning outcomes and common core

component for all stages of school education along with textbook and teachers manuals for various classes would be introduced in the Central schools from the coming academic session, the conference was told.

The Chairman observed that the full implementation of the policy would take place during the Eighth Plan and therefore the education sector should start preparing its strategy for the coming Plan. He said that a full meeting of the CABE on this issue may be necessary at appropriate time. Referring to the Memorandum to be submitted to 9th Finance Commission, he agreed to sot up a CABE Committee on the subject.

He also said that, the Centre had placed before the Conference the latest position the implementation of the Education Policy. Since education was a concurrent subject, the State Governments should also place before their respective Legislative Assemblies progress reports regarding their respective States and Union Territories.

Referring to the 9 CABE committees which were set up to monitor various sectors of education he stated that all the committees had met more than once and that their interim reports wore placed before the conference. Full reports, he said, would be sent to all the members as soon as ready. "I want these committees to be more and more active. As such I would seek your constant cooperation and support and valuable advice."

Concluding his address, he referred to the feeling that the allotment of funds for education for the next year has been inadequate. In this connection he stated that there was no need

for pessimism or frustration as resource constraint has affected all sectors including education, due to the severe drought situation in the country. "What is required is a long-range commitment to the cause of education and determination to follow the resolve and implement the programmes which have been designed after long deliberations" he concluded.

The full text of the Union Minister for Human Resource Development Inaugural Address is appended at Annexure II.

Thereafter the Minister requested the Union Education Secretary to appraise the Board of the detailed progress made with regard to the implementation of the National Policy on Education.

Education Secretary told the conference that the year 1987-88 was practically the first year for the implementation of the National Policy on Education. He said that with the full cooperation of the State Governments and the efforts of the Union Department of Education the entire allocation of Rs. 800 crores allocated for the Education sector was likely to be spent during the year. Out of this, Rs. 85 crores bad to be diverted to Non-Plan side to cover expenditure on account of revision of pay-scales for teachers. As against the Rs. 100 crores allocation for Operation Blackboard, Rs. 99.98 crores had been utilised. As many as 101,861 schools have been covered, 34,157 teachers appointed and 1429 Blocks and Municipal areas covered. He stated that the State Governments had responded quite satisfactorily to the implementation of the revised scheme of Non-formal Education as well. Approximately 25,000 new NFE Centres had been sanctioned to be implemented by the State Government agencies and 12,000

through 177 voluntary agencies. Against the target of 2.00 lakh NFE Centres, the achievement was 1.95 lakhs. While quantitative spread had taken place on expected lines, much more effort would need to be made towards quality improvement and creation of a new management system.

Referring to the massive programme of functional literacy envisaged in NFE, now called National Literacy Mission, he stated that the Mission aimed at extending functional literacy to 30 million persons in 15-35 age-group by 1990, and another 15 million by 1995.

Concluding his report, the Education Secretary said "There is need for caution against any complacency, whatever might be the performance in terms of achievement of physical and financial targets. A review and assessment of performance in Education is an extremely complex process. On the one hand, we need to have an effective management information system, right from the grassroots level, to understand what exactly is happening. Simultaneously, we have to create a system of accountability of the entire education system to the parents and the community, for whom the system exists. An even more complex aspect is to measure achievement with reference to learning and behavioural changes of the learners. We are still quite far from creating this hind of accountability and system of evaluation. However, our sights are clear and we intend every bit to adhere to the letter and spirit of the Education Policy and move towards achievement of the goals spelt out in it on the advice and direction of this Board".

The full text of the Union Education Secretary's report is appended at Annexure III.

Thereafter the Minister for Human Resource Development invited members to participate in the deliberations.

Prof. It D.S. Kothari congratulated the Government for the strides it had made in the implementation of the National Policy on Education in a single year. He stated that since a major responsibility for implementation rests with CABE, a mechanism should be set up by which the CABE members could be involved in a greater measure and could have direct inter-action with the community of teachers and students. He recommended the setting up of a National Council for common school system which is basic for national integration. For imparting moral education, Gandhiji's teaching of truth and ahimsa should be made part and parcel of the curriculum in every class starting from KG. Referring to the present age as scientific age and the necessity for understanding of science through symbols, he stated that there is a need for introduction of Roman alphabets even from primary classes as the Roman letters are internationally the symbols used for scientific terms. He pleaded for special attention to the gifted and talented children.

Shri Kanti Biswas, Education Minister, West Bengal observed that the condition that the construction of school buildings should have been completed for release of grant by the Centre for Operation Blackboard should be relaxed. The Central Government should provide for earmarked fundings under NREP/RLEGP for this purpose. The condition that only schools in the selected blocks should be covered under the scheme of Operation Blackboard should also be relaxed. The UGC should reconsider the stand taken

regarding the Vidyasagar University as the suggestions made by the UGC go against the Gajendergadkar Committee recommendation. He further stated that while there is a 16% increase in the Central Budget in 1988-89 over the previous year the budget on education has remained the same. The share of education is only 2% of the total budget. This should be sufficiently enhanced. Committed Expenditure of the State Governments should be made part of the terms of reference of 9th Finance Commission as was the case in the 6th, 7th and 8th Finance Commissions. The Agenda Papers of the CAPE Conference should be circulated well in time.

Dr. Nagendra Jha, Education Minister, Bihar recounted the steps taken by the State Government in the implementation of NPE. These include selection of 120 blocks covering 13,270 schools under Operation Blackboard. Training of 73,300 teachers in the last two years, setting up of task force for opening DIETs, running of 56 RFLP and 256 State Adult Education projects, Opening of 23 Navodaya Vidyalayas so far, Opening of 56 girls high schools thus providing one girls high school in each block, and proposal to set up two autonomous colleges in each University. He also made the following suggestions:- 50% Central assistance should be provided for construction of school buildings under OB, 50 additional RFLP Projects should be set up in Bihar and L.N. Misra University which was set up in 1972 may be recognized by the University Grants Commission.

Shri Arun Kumar Kar, Education Minister, Tripura stated that one Committee each under the Chairmanship of Education Minister and Chief Secretary have been set up for monitoring the implementation of NPE in Tripura. He further stated that the

North East Council has agreed to bear a portion of expenditure on construction of School buildings and pleaded for Central assistance for this purpose also. For guidance and consultancy for Vocationalisation. the State Government is utilising the services of Engineers India Limited. Project report for setting up of two DIETs has been prepared in the State. The State Institute of Education is converted into SCERT. Three thousand teachers have been given orientation in the last two years. The new curriculum for the primary classes has been formulated and a task force has been set up for declaration of autonomus colleges in the State.

Smt. Chitra Naik emphasized the need for introducing Open Education System at the Secondary and the Middle stages. Educationalising work and vocationalisation of education, she said, should be attempted in a larger scale. She further stated that the coordination and integration of health education and social welfare component must be achieved at the grass root level. Experimentation in a big way should be attempted in this area. She concluded by saying that a strong support structure should be developed for non- formal education as in the case of adult education.

Shri Khurshid Ahmed, Education Minister, Haryana informed the Board that the State Government has established Navodaya Vidyalayas in 9 out of the 12 districts; 2 DIETs have been set up and 5 more are proposed for the next year. The State Government bat gone in a big way in respect of school complexes and at present there are 850 school complexes in the State. Be further stated that the State Government gave a lot of importance to

girls education and recently set up two Primary schools exclusively for girls. He however suggested that 80% of the Central assistance for implementation of UGC scale for University and College teachers should be extended even beyond the 7th Five Year Plan. He also pleaded that the students coming from the NFE stream should not be denied admission in the Navodaya Vidyalayas.

Shri Raghavachari commended the role of CABE and its Committees in the recent Wars. Be suggested the setting up of a CABE Committee in the context of the 9th Finance Commission. Referring to the service conditions of the School Teachers he pleaded for uniformity throughout India. A sub-committee of CABE may go into this problem. He also wanted that a time limit should be fixed for the State Governments to send a reply to the CBSE in respect of schools applying for affiliation. If no reply is received in reasonable time, the CBSE should assume the concurrence of the State Government.

Shri K.N. Upreti, Minister for Education Sikkim listed the steps the State Government had taken to implement the National Policy on Education which include the special steps taken to improve hostel facilities for SCAT children, special coaching facilities for SC/ST student and those who axe physically and mentally handicapped. Be said that one Navodaya Vidyalaya has been set up in the State but the teachers posted there do not know the local language and this would create problems and may not be conducive to effective functioning. Be informed the Board that the State Government was of the opinion that there is no need for DIET in each District and State Institute of Education should serve the purpose. Be also informed that the State Government has

decided to establish a State Advisory Board of Education revie the over-all development of Education in Sikkim.

Shri Brindaban Goswami, Education Minister, Assam, gave a length, the salient features of the programme of implementation of the NFE in his State. He stated that the State Government had decided to introduce vocational education in 10 schools in each district during 1987-88 and 1988-89 and has submitted necessary proposals to the Government of India. Regarding Integrated Education for the Disabled he stated that a Cell has been set up to conduct a survey. In the meantime, a special school for the handicapped 15 proposed to be set up. The State Government will submit a scheme for special assistance for setting up the special school for the handicapped. Regarding Navodaya Vidyalayas he stated that the State government has yet to take a decision in this matter. He however reiterated the State Government's view that the regional language should be a medium of instruction even at +2 stage in addition to English and Hindi.

Shri K. Krang, Minister for Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh stated that in his State, the vocational subjects have been introduced in schools in three districts offering 17 courses. He also recounted the steps the State Government have taken to implement the National Policy on Education.

Prof. Udgaonkar stated that although there was substantial increase of allocation of funds last year, there was no increase whatsoever next year. The implementation of the NPE therefore was bound to be affected. Be pleaded for the improvement of science

education and wanted relaxation of the rules for CBSE affiliation in respect of private and unaided schools. He observed that the progress in granting autonomy to the college was very slow. Another CABE Committee should look into the structure of Universities, the essentiality of affiliation and grand of autonomy. He also suggested that the progress report should be summarised in a tabular form in future meetings of the CABE.

Dr. Jeevraj Alva, Minister for Higher Education, Karnataka pleaded for enhancing the allocation for education not only in the Centre but also in the State. He stated that the shortage of funds has been one of the main causes for their inability to improve the quality of education or in promoting excellence. He further observed that parity in University Teachers salaries cannot be maintained unless Centre lends a helping hand to the States. The Central Government should consult the State Governments before the revision of the scales of pay of teachers. The textbooks, he said, needed urgent revision because they reflected the western culture. he also felt that the knowledge of local language for the teachers of Navodaya Vidyalayas was absolutely necessary.

Shri Bansilal Dhritlehra, Minister for Education from Madhya Pradesh gave details of the steps taken by the State Government to implement the National Policy on Education. These included the opening of 20,000 NFE Centres, 20 Navodaya Vidyalayas, 3 Academic Staff Colleges in 3 Universities, 3 Women's Polytechnics, free supply of textbooks to SC/ST students and covering of 20% blocks for Operation Blackboard.

Prof. Syed Hasan wanted education to be a mass movement. He stressed the need for publicising the achievements in education by organising Public meetings, Teachers meetings, Student meetings and Educational Melas. He concluded by saying that a CABE Committee should be formed for a coordinated effort to take education to the masses.

Dr. Aram stated that there is no awareness among the masses about the National Policy on Education. He also felt that the scheme of autonomous colleges had not taken off and no decision has been taken about rural universities.

Dr. Girija Vyas, Minister of Education, Rajasthan spoke about the low level of literacy in the State. She mentioned about the introduction of girls attendance scholarships in the State for improving the coverage. She informed the Board that 12,000 school buildings have been constructed in the State under NREP and RLEGP. As regards non-formal Centres she mentioned that out of 10,000 centres as many as 3,000 were opened exclusively for girls; 23,121 teachers were given orientation. Navodya Vidyalaya have been established in 17 Districts and 5 more wire to be opened during the current year. Nine DIETs have been opened in the current year.

Prof. Yashpal, Chairman, UGC mentioned about the problem of UGC in handling the teacher's strike. He said that the Higher Education was highly subsidised in India. He also admitted that the UGC was not the major financer for higher education as it was not spending more than 10% of the total amount spent on higher education. Be drew the attention of the Members to the problem of students' and teachers' unrest. Be advised the representatives of

the States to make advance preparation before opening any new university. To reduce the burden of Central and State Governments because of highly subsidised higher education in India, he suggested introduction of a system of granting loans to needy students by State Governments for pursuing higher education.

Smt. Rajendra Kumari Bajpayee, Union Minister of State for Welfare stressed the need for improvement of educational status of SC/ST, minorities and handicapped. She mentioned that there were as many as 1.2 crore handicapped in the country. She stressed the need for training facilities for handicapped for helping them to get jobs, In this connection, she appreciated the major role of voluntary Agencies who had been running most of programmes for handicapped. She also favoured the programmes on Integrated Education for Disabled. About SCAT she mentioned that her Department had recently revised the guidelines for award of post-matric scholarships for SC/ST students. The amount of the scholarship had been increased from Rs. 150/- to Rs. 200/- per month for classes VI-X and the income limit of parents had also been raised from Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1000/- per month. She sought the cooperation of State Education Departments for the construction of Hostel buildings for SC/ST students. She emphasized the need for involving voluntary agencies and community for the improvement and development of education- She pleaded for the introduction of moral education. In this context she mentioned about the current problems of drug addiction and alchoholism among the youth.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL ADVISORY BOARD OF EDUCATION HELD ON MARCH 11-12, 1988 AT NEW DELHI.