CABE, 14TH MEETING 1948

4. The agenda before the Board was as follows

I. (a) To report that the proceedings of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education hold at Bombay in January, 1947, were confirmed by circulation to members and that copies were sent to Provincial Governments, Local Administrations, State Governments, and Universities and were also put on sale.

(b) To welcome the now members of the Board and to record appreciation of the services rendered by those who have since retired.

II (a) To receive reports from Provincial Governments, etc. on the main, developments in the following branches of Education

(i) Basic (Primary and Middle) Education;

(ii) Adult Education (Particularly with reference to the progress of women's education);

(iii) Social-Services, including Social and recreative activities and to consider recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committees in connection therewith.

(b) To receive supplementary reports on specific, educational developments in Provinces, etc.

(Appx. A)

III (a) To report the further, action taken by the Government of India in regard to the recommendations of the Board on PostWar Educational Development in India.

(b) To report the further action taken by the Provincial Governments in regard to the recommend ions of the Board on Post-War Educational Development in India.

(Appx. B)

IV To receive reports from Provincial Governments, etc-, as to the action taken on the following reports adopted by the Board at their last meeting:-

(a) Report of Committee on an Indian Cultural Trust.

(b) Report of the Committee on a Secondary Schools Examination Council for India.

(d) Report of the Committee in regard to the requirement of the Air Training in relation to the educational system of the country;

and to consider recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committees in connection with (b) and (d) above. (Appx. C)

V To receive and consider the views of the Inter- University Board in regard to the various matters referred to them. (Appx. D)

VI (a) To receive a report on the working of the Government of India Overseas Scholarships Scheme-

(b) To receive and consider a report on problems of students going abroad for further studies with a view to both devising measures for ensuring that such students receive the necessary advice and guidance before going abroad and to ensue their welfare in the country of study. (Appx. E)

VII To receive a report on the scheme sanctioned by Government of India to facilitate higher scientific and technical education among the Scheduled Castes.

(Appx. F)

VIII. To receive and consider a report on the progress made in regard to the rehabilitation of students and teachers displaced in Pakistan areas, by the Central and Provincial Governments, and to consider recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committee in connection therewith. (Appx. G)

IX. (a) To receive the recommendations of the Scientific Man-Power Committee appointed by the Government of India.

(b) To receive the findings of the Geological Education Committee set lip by the Government of India ; and to consider recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committees in connection therewith. (Appx. H)

X. To receive and consider the interim report of the Committee appointed by the Board on Curriculum of Basic (Primary and Middle) Schools and the Organisation of Training Colleges. (Appx. J)

XI. To receive and consider the report of the Committee appointed by the Board to examine the report on Educational Development prepared by the Inter Provincial Board for Anglo-Indian and European Education. (Appx. K)

XII. To consider the appointment of a Committee to examine the existing financial resources for education, the programme for educational development in all provinces and states and to make suggestions to ensure that educational development is not hold up for want of funds. (Government of C.P. & Berar: Appx. L)

XIII. To receive the report of the Reference Board on Scientif- ic Terminology in India and to consider the further steps to be taken in this connection. (Appx. M)

XIV. (a) To receive a report in regard to the Second General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation held at Mexico City in November-December, 1947.

(b) To receive and consider the report of the Committee appointed by the Board on the formation of a National Education Commission to Co-operate with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

(Appx. N) XV. To consider the question of:-

(a) Organisation of immediate and vigorous plans for adult education on a country-wide basis, adult education being visualised as "social education" in the wider sense of the term.

(b) establishment of a few "Peoples Colleges" in selected areas.

to consider recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committee in connection therewith.

(Government of Bombay: Appx. P)

XVI. To consider certain suggestions in regard to the Organisation of Technical Education. (West Bengal Government: Appx. Q)

XVII. To consider the question of introduction of reforms in Marathi, Gujarati, and Kannada Scripts. (Government of Bombay: Appx. R)

XVIII. To consider the question of encouraging University students and students seeking entry to Universities to undertake various forms of Social Service, and recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committee in connection therewith. (Appx. S)

XIX. To consider certain suggestions in regard to the Organisation of School Medical Services and School Clinics and to consider recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committee in connection therewith. (West Bengal Government: Appx. T)

XX. To consider:

(a) whether English should be retained in High Schools from Class III to Class VI. (Assam Government)

(b) the appointment of a Committee to investigate the state of Secondary Education in India and to report on its aims and scope in the light of the present conditions and future requirements; and

(Government of C.P. & Berar)

to consider recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committee in connection therewith. (Appx. U)

XXI. To consider the question of modification in the courses of training of teachers for Secondary Schools and to consider recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committee in connection therewith.

(West Bengal Government : Appx. V)

XXII. (a) To report the appointments made by the Chairman in the vacancies on the Standing Committees of the Board.

(b) To appoint members of the Standing Committees of the Board on (a) Basic (Primary and Middle) Education (b) Secondary Education (c) Further Education and (d) General Purposes. (Appx. W)

XIII. To receive a communication from the Government of Travancore in regard to the next annual session of the Central Advisory Board of Education.

(Appx. X)

XXIV. To consider the appointment of a Committee by the Board to visit the Provinces once in five years or oftener, if necessary, to discuss the progress of development schemes and other matters of common interest.

(Appx. Y)

XXV. To consider the place of craft work in the scheme of Basic (Primary and Middle) Education and Post-Basic Education, and in the light of this decision to consider the modifications, if any, deemed necessary in the Report of the Board on Post Wax Educational Development in India, and to consider recommendations, if any, from the appropriate Standing Committee in connection therewith.

(Govt. of Bihar: Appx. Z)

XXVI. To consider (a) the Organisation of Apprenticeship Training, and

(b) the provision of facilities for the training of students in TeleCommunications Engineering in the All- India Radio. (Govt. of Madras: Appx. ZA)

XXVII. To consider the scope and the functions of the Central University Grants Committee.

(Bombay University: Appx. ZB)

The explanatory memoranda on Items II & XXVII which had been circulated to the members of the Board previous to the meeting are appended to the proceedings.

6. Item I.-It was reported that the Proceedings of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education hold at Bombay in January 1947 were confirmed by circulation to members and that copies were sent to Provincial Governments, Local Administrations, State Governments, and Universities and were also put on sale.

The Board adopted a resolution of condolence, all members standing, in memory of Sir Zia-ud-Din Ahmad, Sir Shafaat Ahmad Khan and Dr. T. C. M. Royan who were members of the Board and had passed away during the year.

The Board decided to place on record their sense of appreciation of the services renpered to the Board and to the cause of education in the country by Sir John Sargent who had retired after about ten years of service as Educational Adviser to the Government of India.

The Board also placed on record the services of the other outgoing members of the Board and welcomed those who had been newly appointed (Annexure A).

7. Item 11 (a) (i).-In regard to developments in Basic (Primary and Middle) Education the Board noted that the information furnished by the Provincial Governments was on the whole inadequate. It was, however, explained that it had not been possible for the Provincial Governments to furnish necessary material in time on account of preoccupations related to constitutional changes. The Board decided, that, in future, Provincial Governments, etc., should be requested to furnish requisite information by the middle of July. In this connection the Board agreed that the forms (Annexure B) worked out by the Standing Committee would be suitable though Provision should be made for the inclusion of information on specific problems which required guidance from the Centre or other Provinces an States and experiences which would prove useful to other Provinces and States. The Board decided that the Standing Committee should moot immeddiately after this information became available and make considered re- commendations to the Board and also meet oftener, as may be necessary.

The Board hoped that the Contra] Government, through the Central Institute of Education or some other agency, would provide more helpful direction and guidance to the Provinces and the States in the problems of Basic Education including its technique and methods, and the production of suitable literature for Basic Schools.

8. Items II (a) (ii) and XV.- The Board noted that the Organisation of a comprehensive scheme of Adult Education had become imperative in view of the attainment of freedom by the country. They accordingly adopted the interim recommendations (Annexure C) made by a special SubCommittee for the removal of illiteracy and the further education of the literates. In doing so they wished to add "open-air theatres" to the means sugnested for attaining the end. The Board also decided that the scheme of general education proposed for adults should include technical education in the work in which the adult concerned is employed so that it may be interestin and profitable to him to join the classes.

The Board also decided that Adult Education workers should be especially trained as the whole success of the scheme depended on them.

In regard to finances the Board agreed that a 50: 50 basis for Provincial and Central contributions would be suitable though in the case of financially less prosperous areas a different proportion may be justified. The Board agreed that the report of the Sub-Committee and the views expressed above should be circulated to the Central and Provincial Governments and their views obtained in time to enable the Committee to make their final recommendations by March, 1948.

The information supplied by Provincial Governments, etc., was recorded [Appx. A(a)(ii).]

9. Items II (a) (iii) and XVIII.-The Board in agreement with the recommendations of the Standing Committee, decided to reiterate their resolutions passed at the Thirteenth Meeting to the effect, that "The Government of India should establish an All-India Council for Social Services and that the Council should prepare a comprehensive scheme for the development of social services" and that Government should" also consider the desirability of sending abroad selected persons for special training in social service work"

The Board further decided to recommend that in making appointments to the Public Services, Government should give some consideration to candidates who have social service to their credit.

The information supplied in Appendix A (a) (iii) was recorded.

10. Item III--The Board after a discussion on the difficulties, financial and otherwise, which Provincial Governments were facing in the full implementation of the Board's Plans decided to record the information supplied (Appendix B). In doing so, the Board wished to emphasise the importance of education in the national regeneration of the country and expressed the hope that Post-War Educational Development Plans would be continued and that out of the total Central grant an adequate portion would be earmarked for Education.

11. Item VI.-The Hon'ble the Chairman reported that the proposal for an Indian Culture I Trust had been generally accepted though a few further steps remained to be taken e.g. consultation with the Provincial Govern-

ments and with the other bodies interested in the subject. Ho added that the whole matter was under active consideration and that it was hoped to proceed with the scheme at an early date.

The Board decided that the Provincial Government should be requested to submit their comments on the report relating to a Secondary Schools Examination Council for India, at an early date, and the action taken by the Central Government in this connection should be submitted to the Board at their next meeting. In scrutinising the causes of delay in cases like this, the Board felt that the Provincial Directorates do not possess the staff who could give the Director (of Public Instruction), the expert help that he requires in carrying out a proper examination of important proposals of this character and submit his views. The Board recommended that the Provincial Directorates should have the requisite additional staff for this purpose.

The Board in recording the report of the Expert Committee on a, Uniform Indian Braille expressed satisfaction at the steps taken and proposed for the amelioration of the lot of the Blind. They at the same time hoped that duo attention would also be paid to the needs of the other handicapped, namely the deaf-mutes and the mentally handicapped.

The Board were of the opinion that the question of the formation of an Air Training Committee may be postponed pending action by Government on the recommendations of the National Cadet Corps Committee.

12. Item V.-In regard to the medium of instruction, the Board agreed with the views of the Chairman contained in his opening address, as to the importance of the problem in the present context and recommended that a representative committee should be appointed by the Government of India :

(i) To consider what should be the medium of instruction and examination at the University stage.