APPENDIX B (a)- ACTION TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ON RECOMMENDATION CONTAINED IN POST-WAR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT.
Financial Aid to the Provinces.- As reported last year, the Government of India have undertaken to make block grants to the Provincial Government for Post-War Development. As far, as Education is concerned, the Provincial schemes, which conform to the recommendations of the Central Advisory Board of Education are approved and become eligible for financial aid from the Centre. The entire expenditure incurred by the. Provincial Governments on all development schemes approved during 1946-47 is to be borne by the Central Government; and for 1947-48, grants
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to the extent of over Rs. 40 crores have been sanctioned for the entire post-war development programme in the Provinces. In the next year, however, the Development Board of the Government of India have requested the, Provinces to initiate as far as possible, only those development schemes which were likely to increase production of the material wealth of the country. This suggestion has been made with a view to avoid too heavy a drain on the resources of the Central Government, which are a ready over burdened with the measures for the relief and rehabilitation of the refugees.
Central Institute of Education. Central Library of Educational and Cultural Films Uniform Indian Braille.-In regard to the progress made in the execution of the Central Schemes, it may be pointed out that the Central Institute of Education came into being in a nucleus form during the third week of December, 1947. The Institute will not only train postgraduate teachers, but will also provide facilities for high class research in education.
The stock of the Central Library of Educational and Cultural Films is being increased by a further addition of films. A projector has also been purchased.
A Uniform Braille Code covering all the major Indian languages including the Perso-Arabic group, devised by a Committee of exports was finally approved by the Expert Braille Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education at its meeting held in Simla on June 17, 1947. This code known as the Uniform Indian Braille has been finally accepted by the Government of India.
The accepted Code will replace eight Braille Codes in current use and two to be introduced, and this will facilitate the publishing of embossed literature for the Blind on a large male. The Central Bureau of Education have brought out a new handbook (Pamphlet No. 16 Amended Reprint 1947) containing ink-print Codes, with a short history, and instructions for their use.
The setting up of a Central Braille Press and a Central Library is also receiving active consideration of the Ministry of Education.
Technical Education.-The progress made in the field of Technical Education may be summed up under two main headings:-
(1) All India Council for Technical Education.
(2) Central Technical Institutions -Development Schemes.
(1) All India Council for Technical Education.-(a) On the recommendations of the Co-ordinating Committee of the All India Council for Technical Education which met in February, 1947, five Visiting Committees were appointed to inspect some of the high grade technical institutions in the country and to make recommendations in regard to their further improvement. The Reports of theme committees were Considered by the Council in May, 1947. As the recommendations did not appear to have been based on uniform principles, a small was appointed by the Council to scrutinise the reports. The Council also appointed three more Visiting Committees to inspect some other important technical Institutions. The reports of the Visiting Committees on the several institutitons were considered by the Co- ordinating Committee of the All India Council for Technical Education in November, 1947 together with the recommendations of the, Scrutinizing Committee referred to above. The Co-ordinating Committee have recommended that grants from the Central Revenues to the extent of Rs. 1.5 crores on special expenditure and Rs. 30 lakhs on recurring expenditure be made to some of the important high grade technical institutions in the country for improvement and expansion. The Committee have further recommended that these grants should be spread over a period varying from three to five years beginning with the financial year 1947-48. These recommendations are now under the consideration of the of the Government of India.
(b) The question of setting up the Regional Committees of the AR India Council for Technical Education has to be kept in abeyance owing to the necessity for redemarcation of the regions in the light of the new political set up and changed geo.
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graphical and economical situations. This is being taken in hand now. The functions of the Regional Committees will in no way overlap those of the Provincial Governments.
(c) At its second meeting held in May, 1947 the Council decided
that :-
(i) The All India Diploma Courses should be equivalent in standard
to the Degree Courses in Universities, but greater
emphasis should be laid on the practical side.
(ii) The All India Certificate Courses should be equivalent
in standard to the Foremanship courses and should be so
designed that these can be taken mainly on a part-time
basis.
(iii) Admission qualification should be so prescribed and
rules and regulations so framed that persons engaged in
full or part-time occupation in appropriate branches of
technology may acquire these, " All India" qualifi-
cations by taking the courses on part-time basis.
A comprehensive memorandum on the above decisions was considered by the All India Boards of Technical Studies at their meetings hold during July-August, 1947. The Boards are now engaged in working out details of the schemes in the ight of the above decisions of the Council.
(d) To ensure coordinated development in the field of technical education the Council decided that the Inter-University Board should be asked to consider the advisability of appointing a committee with which a small committee of the All India Council for Technical Education may co-operate in drawing up the general principle to be observed in regard to technical education in University and non- University institutions of technology. The Inter-University Board has been addressed.
(e) The Council passed a resolution expressing the opinion that higher technical education should be under the directive of the Council and that for the promotion of higher technical education the Central Government should provide funds for the next five years at least.
(2) Central Technical Institutions-
Development Schemes:-
(A) Delhi Polytechnic :-
(i) Development Plan.
(ii) Training College of Teachers in Technology.
(B) Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore:-
(i) Establishment of a High Voltage Engineering Laboratory.:
(ii) Four year development plan.
(iii) Establishment of Power Engineering Department. Progress made
(A) Delhi Polytechnic:-
(i) Development Plan.
With a view to making the Delhi Polytechnic a really first class technological institution, a four year development scheme of Delhi Polytechnic, costing about Rs 80 lakhs was accepted in principle by the Government India in 1945. This scheme included provision for fully equipped workshops and laboratories and now buildings. The scheme could not be implemented fully on account of war time limitations but a fair amount of progress has been made in achieving the object with Which the institution was started. The Polytechnic comprises of a Technical High School and six Senior Departments, namely, Engineering, Architecture, Commerce, Chemical Engineering and Technology, Art and Chemical Technology. It also provides facilities for all India Diploma courses in some subjects besides the Polytechnic
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Courses. The proposals to introduce degree courses in certain departments, and to shift Senior Departments to a new site near the Delhi University etc., etc., have necessitated a revision of the original plan. The revised plan is estimated to cost Rs. 92.2 lakhs non-recurring and an ultimate recurring expenditure of Rs. 9.6 lakhs in 1949-50. It envisages expansion of the existing facilities, introduction of new courses and affiliation of certain Departments to the Delhi University. The plan now awaits the approval of the Standing Finance Committee.
(ii) Training College for Teachers in Technology:-
The scheme could not be taken up on account of lack of accommodation at the Polytechnic. This scheme has now been merged in the revised development plan of the Delhi Polytechnic.
(b) Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. An all-round development of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, is being carried out with financial assistance from the Government of India. The important development schemes in hand are briefly described below:-
(i) Establishment of High Voltage Engineering Laboratory:-
Rs.
Capital Cost 23,13,000
Ultimate annual recurring cost 45,000
The scheme has been taken in hand and a special Officer from England, Mr. K. Aston, has been appointed by the Council of the Institute for setting up the Laboratory. He has proceeded to the U. S. A. to arrange for the purchase of necessary equipment required for the Laboratory. Steps are being taken to recruit a German expert as Head of the Laboratory.
(ii) Four-year development plan:-
Rs.
Capital cost 40,00,000
Ultimate annual recurring cost 3,59,000
The plan is in the second year of its execution and stops have been taken so far
(a) to open a division of General Chemistry
in the Department of Pure and Applied
Chemistry.
1st year programme
1946-47. (b) to expand the activities of the the
Departments of Metallurgy and internal
Combustion Engineering;
2nd year programme (c) to enlarge the scope of the Departments
1947-48 of Pure and Applied Chemistry,
Bio-Chemistry, Electrical Technology and
Metallurgy;
(d) to maintain efficiently the water, gas
and sanitary systems, roads and building.
(iii) Establishment of a Power Engineering Department:-
Rs.
Capital coat 40,00,000
Ultimate annual recurring cost 3,90,000
The Head of this Department has been appointed and steps are being taken to recruit four other Professors.
Overseas Scholarships
(i) Central Government Overseas Scholarships*.-136 Scholarships were awarded in the year 1947-48 by the Central Government in various subjects. Of the selecte Scholars, 31 opted No Pakistan and scholarships of 14 were cancelled for various reasons, leaving a balance of 91 on the list. 42 of the scholars have already gone abroad. The question of continuing the scheme next year is still under consideration.
Out of the 569 scholarships awarded during the years 1945-46 and 1946-47 were cancelled and 108 scholars opted for Pakistan, leaving 398 scholars on the list for these years. Of the 1945-46 scholars sor far eleven have retuned to India after
* This is also dealt with as a separates item of the Central Advisory Board of Education agenda.
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completing their studies; two of them have been employed by the Central Government, five joined their posts and the question of securing employment for the remaining four is under the consideration of the Government of Indian. Three of the 1946-47 scholars had to return to India before completing their studies owing to unforeseen circumstances.
(ii) Provincial Government's Overseas Scholarships.- For the year 1947-48 the Government of India allotted 245 scholarships to the various Provinces. the expenditure on these being shared by the Central and Provincial Government concerned on a 50:50 basis. The Central Selection Board, Overseas Scholarships finally approved the selection of 152 candidates only, excluding Scholarships for Medical Subjects which since have become the concern of the Ministry of Health. Of these, 30 have gone abroad already.
(iii) Indian States Overseas Scholarships.- Various Indian States selected their own scholars for further education abroad and as usual the machinery of the Government of India was employed to admit them into the Universities and other educational Institutions abroad and to give them the necessary facilities.
(iv) Welfare of Studies.-To look after the welfare of the students abroad the post of a third Deputy Educational Liaison Officer at the Indian Embassy, Washington has been sanctioned but so far no appointment has been sanctioned but so far no appointment has been made. A temporary post Officer on Special Duty was also created for a period of six months from 14th May 1947 to 13th November 1947 in the Education Department of the High Commissioner's Office, London to cope with the work pending re-organisation of that Department.
Scheduled Castes Scholarships*.-In order to make adequate financial provision to meet the educational needs of the Scheduled Castes the Government of India have sanctioned an annual grant of rupees three lakhs for a period of five years from the year 1944-45. During the years 1944-45, 888 scholarships were awarded for Post- Matriculate studies in India. 375 scholarships were renewed during these years. 22 more awards were made for higher studies abroad during the year 1945-46 and ten of these scholars have since returned to India after completing their studies. The Selection Committee of the Scheduled Castes Scholarships Board have made their recommendations for the awards of the year 1947-48 and necessary steps are being taken to issue sanctions for these scholarships.