APPENDIX K
TECHNICAL AND  INDUSTRIAL
 EDUCATION
 

Promotion of technical and industrial education in connection with University and collegiate education in India.

In November 1941, the Government of Assam submitted the following memorandum on the subject of the question of the promotion of technical and industrial education in connection with university and collegiate education in India for the consideration of the Central Advisory Board of Education:--

"(a) Development of technical education has become one of the most urgent needs of war effort has already stimulated the process and newly formed Association of Principals this country, especially for the purpose of industrialisation. India's contribution to the of Technical Institution of India should give impetus to this. This Government would press for a discussion in the next meeting of the Central Advisory Board on the question of co-ordination of the Departments of Education and Industries in regard to the promotion of technical and industrial education along with general education through Universities and Colleges.

"(b) Under the revised Regulations of the Calcutta University, this Government hope if funds permit, to introduce vocational courses in the High School of this Province for candidates of the Matriculation Examinations. The Central Advisory Board is requested to advise on the, practical ways of giving vocational direction to boys from the primary and

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secondary stages up to the collegiate and University standard through provision of facilities for industrial and technical education."

This was considered by the Board at their last meeting held in January 1942. The Board, while recognising the importance of,the closest collaboration between the Department of Education and other Departments of Government concerned with industry and commerce as well as industrial and commercial interests, were, strongly of opinion that if overlapping and waste are to he avoided, all types of Technical Education using the word in its broadest, sense. should in all provinces be under the direct control of the Department of Education. They based this opinion mainly on the ground that whatever other interests may be concerned both the primary objective and the technique required are essentially instructional. The Board regarded this matter as of particular importance in view of the industrial developments which may be anticipated after the war and of the contribution which technical institutions would be expected to make in this connection. Even in the case of war emergency measures like the Technical Training Scheme the Board would attach much importance to close consultation between the departments immediately responsible for the, scheme and the education authorities affected by it. This recommendation was brought to the, notice of the Provincial Governments, etc and the action taken or proposed to be taken by them will he reported to the Board at the next meeting.

2. The Board further welcomed the recent formation of the Association of Principals of Technical Institution. India and expressed the hope that this body in to operation with representatives of Industry and Commerce would not only indicate the lines on which developments in technical education should follow but would also frame courses and syllabuses which might be, generally adopted throughout the country. This suggestion has been passed on to the Secretary of the Association, whose views will be submitted to the Board in due course.

3. The Board further decided that the re-constituted Standing Committee (Further Education Committee) should examine the issue raised by the Government of Assam in this connection and submit a report to the Board. The Standing Committee considered this problem at their meeting held on the 13 th January 1943, and their report was circulated in the members of the Board on the morning of the 14th January 1943.