APPENDIX A (D) :
REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF
 AUDIO-VISUAL EDUCATION IN INDIA

During the year under review, the following developments occurred in the field of Audio-Visual Education at the Centre and in the States.

Centre

The first meeting of the National Board for Audio-Visual Education was held on May 6th and 7th, 1953, at New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Shri K. G. Saiyidain, Additional Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Education. The Board made several recommendations for the development of Audio-Visual education for implementation by the Centre and the State Governments. The proceedings of the meeting were published and circulated to the State Governments and educational institutions in the country and representative comments of the latter were sought on the report. In a series of circular letters issued by the Audio-Visual Section of the Ministry, the attention of the State Governments was invited to the recommendations made by the Board which were for implementation by the States. The subjects of some of these letters were the establishment of State Audio-Visual Boards, the setting up of local museums by educational institutions, the establishment of adequately stocked film libraries on a State-wise basis at least and the formulation of a uniform policy regarding the loan of films and filmstrips. The replies received from the State Governments are under examination.

In further pursuance of the recommendations made by the Board which concerned implementation by the Centre, steps have been taken by the Ministry in the following respects:

(1) In connection with the Ministry's plans for the production of educational films, the Board had approved and recommended 18 subjects on which films were to be produced by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Subsequently, however, it was decided to take up only 12 of these subjects during the year 1953- 54. Synopses for nine topics have been prepared and sent to the Films Division for the preparation of detailed scripts. The actual production of the films, delayed due to the paucity of technical staff, is now well in hand.

(2) In connection with the Government's desire to encourage the production of indigenous projection equipment the Ambarnath

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Factory, Bombay was approached to examine the possibility of mass manufacture of filmstrip projectors. The firm is examining the proposal of incorporating the special features of the filmstrip projector in a newly designed micro-film reader, which is already under way on a high priority basis at the Ordnance Factory, Dehra Dun.

(3) In order to encourage the establishment of film libraries on a regional basis stocked with really superior films, information regarding select films which in the opinion of the Ministry merit inclusion in a State film library, was conveyed to the State Governments, film libraries and other interested organisations in two circular letters issued in September, 1953 and December, 1954. Arrangements have also been made for the dubbing of a large number of films recommended in Hindi.

(4) The question of acquiring foreign films on an exchange-of- negative basis has been taken up with the Government of Canada and an agreement under which such exchange is possible is under consideration. An agreement with the Government of Yugoslavia for such exchange has also been finalised.

(5) For the effective implementation of the schemes pertaining to the research and development of Audio-Visual education under the consideration of the Ministry, it was felt that proper accommodation for the Audio-Visual Section was essential. Consequently, plans for the construction of an Audio-Visual Wing were finalised and a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs has been sanctioned for its construction. The design of the building has been approved and construction is expected to be taken in hand shortly.

(6) Plans for the establishment of a small research unit in the Ministry for the production of sample charts and simple visual aids has been finalised, and the unit is expected to begin functioning in the near future.

In implementation of Scheme 3 (a)--Training of Audio-Visual Experts--of the first Five-Year Plan (Second Year) the Ministry organised a two-month seminar on Audio-Visual Education in Delhi during the months May to July 1954, with the object of providing thorough training to persons nominated by the States and actually associated with organising and planning Audio-Visual education in the States. Thirty trainees from 16 States received training.

The Central Film Library continued to acquire and loan films, filmstrips and other audio-visual aids. It stocks 1,916 16 mm films, 1,176 filmstrips and 328 charts and posters. Its

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present membership is 526 and the circulation of films during the calendar year 1954 is 8,100. The library has acquired a dozen select full-length children's entertainment films, some documentaries and feature films outstanding in the history of the cinema.

States

Ajmer

:-During the year under report circulars were issued to the heads of High and Middle schools directing them to purchase and use filmstrip projectors for teaching purposes.

Educational exhibitions were arranged in various Middle and High schools of the urban and rural areas, where visual material prepared by Basic schools was shown.

Thirty-eight dry battery radio sets were purchased and sent to such villages which have no postal or transport facilities. Village teachers have been trained to operate these radio sets and programmes broadcast by All India Radio are listened to by the villagers.

The cinema and exhibition vans were further equipped with models, charts, films and accessories. The vans arranged 212 film shows in 140 villages. Lectures in the local dialect along with films and filmstrip shows were arranged on the subjects connected with the improvement of living standards and better cultivation methods.

Bhopal

:--Institutions were instructed to make greater use of pictures, posters, gramophone records and other audio-visual aids. Two filmstrip projectors and a number of filmstrips were purchased. A dozen schools have been provided with radio sets.

Bihar

:--A Board of Audio-Visual Education has been established to advise State Government on matters pertaining to the development of Audio-Visual education.

The Bihar Academy of Music, Dance and Drama organised a number of musical demonstrations and folk festivals. The Academy publishes a magazine called, `Bihar Theater'.

A centre for experiments in the production of indigenous audio- visual aids has been established. The centre, yet in its initial stages, has been able to arrange training in the preparation and manipulation of puppets. A laboratory for the production of posters by the silk-screen process has also been set up.

Entertainment parties, known as Mod Mandalies (Jatra Parties) with a collective strength of 55 local artists have been established.

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These parties operating mostly in rural areas, visit schools, social centres, fairs, festivals, exhibitions etc., disseminate information and knowledge through. their music and stage performances and encourage local talent.

Seventeen magic lanterns were supplied to school libraries and Social education centres situated in the rural areas, not supplied with electricity. The Social Education Board also maintains a library of 10,410 slides.

Three hundred radio sets have so far been supplied to educational institutions, of which 17 were supplied during the year under review. The institutions to which radio sets are supplied are required to meet one-third of the cost of the sets. A regular system of school broadcasts has been introduced in cooperation with All India Radio, Patna.

Film Clubs have been established in most of the High schools in the State. Six 16 mm sound film projectors were purchased and supplied to schools and approved private exhibitors. 21 films (16 mm) were added to the film library attached to the Social Education Board bringing the total to 77.

Schools have been encouraged to purchase their own projectors and maintain film libraries on a small scale for their own use. Five High schools possess their own projectors.

Seventy-five schools are covered by educational film shows arranged by authorised private exhibitors. The exhibitors are permitted to charge a maximum fee of annas five per student for at least four shows in a month and the shows are supervised by a local Audio-Visual Committee consisting of local headmasters of High schools and senior inspecting officers. The exhibitors have to maintain a regular diary of their work and obtain the remarks from the headmasters of the schools concerned on each show arranged by them. The students are required to maintain their own notes of films viewed by them. The school authorities have been instructed to include some of the important topics covered by the films in the question papers set in the school examination.

Bombay

:-Training in Audio-Visual education with emphasis on the production and use of non-projected teaching aids was organised and 11 training institutions received the benefit of the course.

Circulation of technical films and filmstrips to technical and 2vocational training institutions was, put on a more systematic basis.

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Regular weekly films shows for the entertainment of children of 4-14 years age group were arranged at the "Balbhavan", the children's recreation centre in Bombay and at the Municipal Gardens in Poona and Dharwar.

Three radio broadcasts on the subject of Audio-Visual education for Secondary school teachers and school broadcasts for children were arranged with the cooperation of All India Radio, Bombay.

Visual aids exhibitions were held at Gadag and Bombay for the benefit of Primary and Secondary school teachers and students.

Delhi

:--As in the previous years, educational caravans consisting of a daylight cinema van, two mobile exhibition vans and a mobile stage have been conducting educational programmes in the rural areas. Villagers also participated in the programme.

During the year under review 259 film shows, 85 melas, 406 demonstrations in health and agriculture, 85 exhibitions, 85 dramatic performances and 85 inter-village tournaments were held.

Battery community radio sets have been installed in 159 villages, and in addition, 85 sets donated by the Norwegian Government are being installed. Listening in to school broadcast programmes of All India Radio forms part of regular instruction in schools.

Hyderabad

:--52 film shows were arranged at various places by the mobile cinema van and some Adult education exhibitions were organised.

Programmes of folk songs, folk dances, open-air plays, harikathas, puppet shows, radio programmes and magic lantern projections were organised in the Community Project Areas and National Extension Service Blocks.

A scheme to extend the benefits of Audio-Visual education to students in the High and Middle schools in the State is under consideration.

Madras

:--A large number of schools were equipped with film and filmstrip projectors and radio sets. At present there are 338 schools with 16 mm projectors and 575 schools with radio sets.

Short training courses in Audio-Visual education were conducted at different centres where 50 teachers were trained in teaching methods and 200 teachers were trained in the handling and main-

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tenance of projectors at the Central Film Library of the Education Department.

Thirty thousand film shows were given in the educational institutions with films and filmstrips hired at nominal rates from the State Film Library. Teachers were also guided in the selection of films and filmstrips for exhibition in their schools. Seventy-one films were added to the stock of the film library.

Orissa

:--The Audio-Visual Education Unit arranged film shows in different centres under the Education Department and in National Extension Service Blocks and Community Development Blocks. The Department arranged programmes given by the traditional Raja party, aimed at the removal of untouchability.

Five documentary films produced by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and four Oriya films produced by the Public Relations Department, Government of Orissa, were purchased. Six gramophone records for use in rural areas were prepared.

Punjab

:--The Government Training College, Jullundur experimented in the production of cheap projectors and with the ordinary laboratory lenses, a filmstrip projector, a magic lantern and an epidiascope were prepared.

Saurashtra

: Eight film shows were arranged and Rs. 6,010/- were spent in purchasing films etc., under the State Five-Year Plan.

Travancore-Cochin

:--The State Audio-visual units, mobile and stationary, are functioning regularly. Fifteen High schools have been supplied with film/filmstrip projectors.

Tripura

:--Fifteen Adult education centres were started and supplied with radio sets, magic lanterns with slides, gramophones with records, harmoniums, posters and charts. An epidiascope and a filmstrip projector have been purchased for use by different schools and centres by rotation. Secondary schools have been instructed to take up the preparation of simple visual aids by teachers and students.

Uttar Pradesh

:--The film section of the Education Expansion Department produced six documentary films and six filmstrips. The State Board of Audio-Visual Education was constituted.

Vindhya Pradesh

:--The Education Department purchased one cinema van and one publicity van which visit rural and urban areas.

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West Bengal

:--The Film Library attached to the Education Directorate, containing 346 films, continued to lend films, to different educational institutions and social welfare organisations.

Five mobile audio-visual units were maintained at various centres; three more were sanctioned and set up during the year. One hundred and fifteen film shows were arranged.

Grants amounting to Rs. 1,99,450/- were made by the Government for the purchase of audiovisual equipment to four social welfare organisations.

Museums were set up by several B. T. schools and educational exhibitions were arranged.

A grant of Rs. 45,000/- was distributed to indigenous folk artistes with a view to revive indigenous folk arts. The training centres offered facilities for training in the art and technique of folk songs and dance.

Two officers were deputed to receive training in the production and use of audio-visual aids at the Unesco Training Course organised at Mysore. Their services are now, utilised in the preparation of visual material for use in educational institutions.

According to the reports received from the States of Madhya Pradesh and Manipur no developments have taken place in this field. No reports have been received from the remaining States.