 CONCLUDING REMARKS BY UNION
 EDUCATION MINISTER AND VOTE OF
 THANKS

Concluding the 34th meeting of the CABE, the Union Education Minister made the following observations:

"The next six months are of great importance, as during this period the new Fourth Plan as also the Annual Plan for 1969-70 will be finalised through discussions between the Planning Commission, Ministry of Education and the States and Union Territories. In fact the major reason for convening the meeting of the Board at this time was that it would help us in

these discussions between the Centre and the States. This purpose has been happily achieved. The deliberations at this meeting have given us a framework within which we can discuss the Annual Plan for, 1969- 70 with the State Governments. During these discussions, our plea with the State Governments will. be that they should provide adequate allocations for educational development, strive to plug, all loopholes and wastage, use available resources economically and effectively, and emphasise the programmes which need human effort and enthusiasm. In this I look forward to the full cooperation and support of the State Education Ministers and if we try our best, We may still Save the situation to a considerable extent. We will also place your views with all the emphasis that they deserve before the Planning Commission and the National Development Council. I will convey to those august bodies your concern about the deteriorating educational situation in the country and the urgent need to improve it in a big way. I hope that our joint pleadings on these lines will help us a great deal in securing a better hearing from these authorities.

"I am also happy at the significant progress we have made in deciding to adopt a broad-based and decentralised system of educational planning in all parts of the country. We have agreed to work together m preparing for each State and Union Territory a review of the educational development during the last 18 years and a long- term plan of educational development. This is a major programme we have undertaken and when it is completed, educational planning in the country would have been placed on a much sounder footing than at present and its implementation will be considerably expedited. I look forward your cooperation in these undertakings.

"I shall keep in view your recommendations that in implementing the National Policy on Education, the Centre and the States will have to work together closely and continuously.

"I am equally happy that you have decided to give high priority to programmes of national integration. It is our responsibility to see that these programmes are included in the Fourth Plan and implemented.

"The present situation is doubtless a difficult one. On the one hand, the resources available are meagre. On the other, the problems 'have become more acute. But there is no escape from facing these problems squarely and initiating intensive programmes of educational development. It is possible to surmount those difficulties with will and determination and take the country rapidly forward."

The meeting came to a close with a vote of thanks proposed by the Education Minister, Andhra Pradesh.

ANNEXURE

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY UNION EDUCATION MINISTER AND VOTE OF THANKS