APPENDIX `R'
SUPPLEMENTARY ITEM (vi)
WOMEN'S EDUCATION
 

I. Emergency and Women's Education

The Board recommends that there should be no cut in women's education programme on account of national emergency because such a cut is likely to be detrimental to the defence effort. On the contrary, as far as possible, a larger allocation for women's education Programme may be provided.

II Progress of enrolment 1961-62

The Board recommends that in order to meet the situation in the so called backward States, the enrolling of smaller number of girls in rural areas should not be treated as a sufficient cause for not opening new schools or extending other facilities on the ground of being uneconomical and that it needs to be realised that for lack of such facilities and schools, girls in larger number do not come and because the enrolment is small, no facilities are given. In such areas, 1st, 2nd & 3rd classes may be co-educational and women teachers may be appointed so that parents would gladly send their girls.

III. Women Teachers

The Board recommends that effective steps should be taken for the implementation of a national policy to employ women teachers in increasing numbers. This will necessarily imply providing special incentives and facilites to attract women to the teaching profession.

IV. Seminars on Girls Education

The Board notes [with regret] that on account of the national emergency, the scheme of seminars has been kept in abeyance. As the seminars have proved to be very useful avenues for exchange of thoughts, ideas and experiences and as the expenditure involved in each seminar is small, it recommends that this scheme should be taken up again for implementation from 1963-64.

V. Construction of Hostels for Girls

That the lack of hostels is a major handicap for bringing girls to schools is demonstrated again and again by the reports which are being received from State Councils for Women's Education, State Governments and by the pre-dominance of applications for construction of hostels under the Scheme of Assistance to Voluntary Organisations in the field of Women's Education. The Board therefore, recommends that very high priority should be accorded for construction of hostels (in general) and special attempts (should be) made to complete the remaining hostels, sanctioned in the Second Plan, by the end of the current financial year.

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VI.Earmarking of Loan Scholarships

The Board is pleased to learn that in spite of the national emergency, new schemes like loan scholarships have been taken up for implementation by the Ministry of Education. It feels, however, that the policy of the Ministry to treat the boys and girls on the same basis in respect of the scholarships is not without danger as the girls especially those from rural areas will be handicapped if they are treated -on a par with the boys. It, therefore, recommends that at least 25% of the scholarships should be set aside for girls (and boys) from rural areas and the remaining scholarships may be given on merit to both boys and girls.