 IV. SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE
 FOURTH PLAN

Introduction

Since Independence, there has been a phenomenal increase in the facilities for secondary education. There were about 7,300 high and higher secondary schools in the country in 1951. Their number is estimated to have risen to about 28,000 in the current year. Enrolment in secondary classes is expected to go up from about 12. 10 lakh in 1951 to about 68 lakh at the end of 1958-59. Despite this expansion, some sections of the population, particularly girls, have not shared adequately the benefits or secondary education. Also, new schools have been established without much forethought, with the result that while there is a concentration of schools in some areas, there are many backward areas which have inadequate facilities for secondary education.

2. It is recognised that secondary schools have two main aims. They prepare a miniority of bright students for pursuing higher studies at the university level. To others, they offer an all-round general education with vocational bias so that they can make an easy transition from the school into the world of work. Following the recommendations of the Mudaliar Commission, two important changes were introduced in some secondary schools: (a) the duration of the secondary course was lengthened by a year to ensure better preparation for higher education, and (b) practical courses were introduced, in addition to core subjects, for those who desired to complete their education at the secondary stage. Other recommendations related to the revision of curricula, the preparation of good textbooks, examination reform, training teachers etc. The Kothari Commission has reviewed the progress in the implementation of these reforms. It has suggested a two year higher secondary course preceded by a ten-year course of general education. The Kothari Commission has also laid stress on work experience, vocationalisation of secondary education, revision of curricula, text-books, examination reform etc. These recommendations form the basis for the programmes for secondary education included in the Fourth Plan.

Main Objectives

3. Keeping in view (a) the increasing demand for secondary education, (b) the urgency for enriching the content and improving the quality of secondary education, and (c) the constraint of resources, the following approach is suggested in formulating programmes for secondary education in the Fourth Plan :

(i) While making adequate provision for the inescapable growth in enrolment at this stage consequent upon the increasing enrolment at the elementary stage, great care should be taken to ensure that substandard schools are not opened during the Fourth Plan. This can be achieved through a strict enforcement of the grant-in-aid rules for the recognition of new schools. Further, the location of new schools, should be determined strictly in accordance with the needs of each area, taking into consideration the optimum utilisation of the facilities already available in the area. Special efforts will also be made to promote and strengthen secondary education in the rural and backward areas.

(ii) While the programmes for improving the quality of secondary education relating to the revision of curricula, textbooks, examination reform etc. should be continued and strengthened, the highest priority in the Fourth Plan should be given to the development of science education and the vocationalisation of secondary education.

(iii) Owing to paucity of resources, it will not be possible for the Government to contribute towards the construction of school buildings. The local community should normally bear the entire cost of the buildings. An exception may, however, be made in the case of science laboratory rooms and school buildings for backward areas, and provision should be made in the Plan for their construction with Government assistance.

(iv) A lower priority should be assigned to the introduction of the new pattern of secondary education recommended by the Kothari Commission. However, sufficient funds should be provided in the Plan to enable the States which have already initiated the process of reorganisation to complete it during the Fourth Plan.

4. Keeping in view the objectives indicated above, detailed schemes have been suggested in the paragraphs that follow for inclusion in the Fourth Plan.

Additional enrolment

5. On the basis of the past trends in the growth of enrolment in secondary classes (IX-XI), it has been estimated that the additional enrolment in these classes during the Fourth Plan may be about 33 lakh pupils (boys 22.50 lakh and girls 10. 50 lakh). The details are given in Statement I. If this target is realized the total enrolment in secondary classes will rise at the end of the Fourth Plan to 97.17 lakh pupils (boys 70.99 lakh and girls 26.18 lakh). The percentage of this enrolment to the total population in the age-group 14-17 will be 24.6 boys, 35.2 and girls 13.5. In this connection it may also be useful to mention that the State Governments had proposed additional enrolment target totalling 31.45 lakh students for the period 1966-71.

Cost per Pupil

6. According to the Second Educational Survey, the teacher- pupil ratio in these classes in 1965-66 was 1 : 22. In the present note, the ratio has been assumed as 1 : 25. The average annual salary of a fresh trained graduate teacher during 1968-69 has been estimated at Rs. 2,880 and that of a fresh post-graduate teacher at Rs. 4,200. According to the Second Educational Survey the ratio of postgraduate teachers to graduate teachers was 2 : 5.4. It is assumed that in the Fourth Plan this ratio will be 2 : 5. On this basis the per pupil cost in respect of emoluments including provident fund contribution and other benefits for the teaching staff will be about Rs. 143 per annum. To this may be added 42% or Rs. 60 to cover the cost of non-teaching staff, contingencies and other direct costs. Thus, the total per pupil cost may be assumed at about Rs. 200 per annum.

Cost of Additional Enrolment

7. Owing to the increase in the teacher-pupil ratio suggested in paragraph 6 above, it will be possible for the existing staff in secondary schools to teach 9 lakh additional children. Thus, it will be necessary in the Fourth

Plan to provide for additional staff, etc. for 24 lakh additional children only. The total cost on this account is estimated at Rs. 144 crore. Further, it has been assumed that the cost to the Government will be about 70% of this expenditure i.e. Rs. 101 crore (the Government share of expenditure on secondary education was 62% in 1962-63).

Correspondence Courses

8. During 1968-69, a beginning has been made by the Education Directorate, Delhi, to offer correspondence courses at the secondary stage to employed persons. It is proposed to expand this programme in the Fourth Plan in the light of the experience gained at Delhi. A provision of Rs. 50 lakh is proposed for this purpose on an ad hoc basis.

Special Programmes for Girls

9. It will be necessary to provide special facilities like scholarships, women teachers `quarters, girls' hostels and sanitary blocks in mixed schools. A sum of Rs. 7.50 crore is provided on an ad hoc basis.

Scholarships

10. A provision of Rs. 5.00 crore is proposed for scholarships for bright pupils from poor families particularly those coming from rural areas who have to live in hostels away from home in order to complete their secondary education.

General Improvement Programmes

11. (i) Incentive payments to teachers.- An ad hoc provision of Rs. 2.0 crore is suggested for incentive payment to teachers who improve their academic or professional qualifications through regular or correspondence or in-service courses. Any general improvement in salary scales of secondary teachers will be met from non-Plan resources.

(ii) Other Improvements in secondary schools.- During the Third Plan, State Governments had formulated a number of schemes to ; (i) develop and upgrade curricula, (ii) produce better text-books, (iii) improve evaluation techniques ; (iv) provide educational and vocational guidance services; and (v) improve school libraries. An ad hoc provision of Rs. 10.00 crore is made in the Fourth Plan to strengthen these programmes.

Work Experience and Vocationalisation of Secondary Education

12. (i) Work Experience.- It will not be possible, owing to dearth of resources, to introduce work experience in all schools during the Fourth Plan on the lines recommended by the Kothari Commission. It is, therefore, proposed to introduce this programme on a pilot basis. The emphasis will be on utilizing the facilities already found in post-basic schools, multipurpose schools, technical high schools, etc. A provision of Rs. 5.0 crore is proposed on an ad hoc basis for : (a) research and experimentation, (b) publications,

(ii) Vocationalisation.- The details of this programme are being worked out.

Development of Science Education

13. (i) Strengthening of State Institutes of science education.- State institutes/ units of science education were established towards the end of the Third Plan to develop curriculum in science and mathematics, to prepare better textbooks, teachers' handbooks, etc. to organise in-service training courses and generally to assist the State Directorates of Education in all matters relating to the teaching of science in schools. In some of the States, the institutes have not been set up so far and in others, the institutes are not staffed and equipped properly. It is proposed to provide for the development of the institutes at the rate of Rs. 3 lakh every year. For 20 institutes, the cost will come to Rs. 3. 00 crore.

(ii) Science units in the Directorate of Education.- At present there are no technical units in the Directorates of Education to guide and administer the development programmes in the field of science education. This is proving to be a major hindrance in the efficient implementation of these programmes. Accordingly, it is proposed to set up 20 science units at a cost of Rs. 50,000, each per year. The cost will be Rs. 50 lakh.

(iii) Science supervisors in the districts.- The need for science supervisors attached to the district inspector's office is now accepted. It is proposed to appoint about 150 science supervisors during the Fourth Plan at a cost of Rs. 12,000 per annum per supervisor. The cost of this programme phased over a period of 5 years will be about Rs. 54 lakh.

(iv) Pre-service training.- The present arrangements for pre- service training of science and mathematics teachers have been found to be far from satisfactory as in these courses very little emphasis is laid on the content of science. It is considered advisable to entrust this work to the universities who with the assistance of their science and education departments can organise specialised pre-service courses in content and methodology. To begin with, these courses may be organised in 15 universities during the, Fourth Plan. A sum of Rs. 75 lakh as non-recurring at the rate of Rs. 5 lakh per centre for building additional hostel accommodation, equipment, etc. is provided for this scheme. The recurring cost of the phased programme for staff and stipends will be Rs. 1.40 crore.

(v) Construction of additional laboratories.- According to the Second All India Educational Survey, there are more than 8,000 secondary schools where there are no laboratory facilities available. As science is proposed to be made a compulsory subject for all students throughout the school stage, it will be necessary to assist these institutions to construct new laboratories. The average cost of construction of a composite laboratory with its fixtures and fittings is estimated at Rs. 15,00O. The total cost of providing laboratories to these existing schools will be Rs. 12 crore.

Besides this, it is expected that 4,000 new secondary schools will come up during the Plan period. The responsibility for providing laboratory buildings may be taken by the State Governments for which an additional provision of Rs. 6 crore will be needed.

(vi) Supply of equipment to new and existing institutions.- It is proposed to provide science equipment at a cost of Rs. 10,000 per school to all new high schools (about 4,000 in number) and assist another 8,000 existing high schools at cost of Rs. 6,000 per school. This will enable these schools to teach science up to class X as recommended by the Kothari Commission. To total cost of this programme will be Rs. 8.8 crore.

(vii) Provision of laboratories, equipment for elective courses in science in 12-year schools.- Some of the States have decided to adopt the higher secondary course of two years; duration as recommended by the Kothari Commission. The higher secondary classes will be started either in the colleges or in selected good schools. In some of the States 11 -year higher secondary classes already exist. Some of these schools may be upgraded to the new pattern. It is, therefore, proposed to establish elective courses in science in the two-year higher secondary classes in about 500 higher secondary schools at an average cost of Rs. 1.0 lakh per school to cover the cost of laboratory rooms, science equipment, books, etc. The cost of this programme will be Rs. 5 crore.

(viii) Provision of Science equipment for the laboratories of the existing teacher training colleges.- In spite of starting new pre- service programmes for secondary school science teachers, a majority of the science teachers for the high schools will continue to be prepared for quite some time by the existing teacher training colleges. Efforts are being made to improve science and mathematics programmes being offered in these colleges by including the content of science along with its methodology. The training colleges have, however, no laboratory facilities to develop the practical skills and demonstration techniques in the would-be teachers of science. To enable them to handle such programmes, it is proposed that each of the existing 250 teacher training colleges may be assisted to equip their science laboratories for physics, chemistry and biology and develop a small workshop at a cost of Rs. 20,000 per institution. A sum of Rs. 50 lakh is proposed for this purpose.

(ix) Inservice training programme for secondary school teachers.- With the upgrading and modernising of the science curriculum, it will be necessary to retrain the existing science and mathematics teachers of the senior secondary classes. It is proposed to train 10,000 secondary school teachers through a two-month inservice course through selected teacher training colleges with the active assistance of science colleges. A provision of Rs. 72 lakh is proposed for this programme.

Out-of-Class Science Activities

14. (i) Establishing science clubs in secondary schools.- The science courses offered through the school curriculum are mostly directed to cater to the needs of the average learner. Experience in different countries has shown that science clubs provide an excellent forum to cater to the needs and to arouse the curiosity and nurture the talent of the gifted students in science. It is proposed that 10,000 secondary schools may be assisted during the Plan period with a grant of Rs. 1,500 per school to establish science clubs. A sum of Rs. 1.5 core is proposed for this purpose.

(ii) Organising science fairs at various levels.- To constantly energise the science clubs, it is necessary to provide them with a forum to exchange ideas and to inculcate a spirit of competition for constant improvement in their performances. The science fairs provide an opportunity to achieve these objectives. It is proposed that during the Plan period each district should organise a science fair for its schools and similarly each State should also organise a science fair where the district competitors could compete and share their experiences with other schools. The State Institute of Science and the district supervisors can organise these activities at the State and district levels. The NCERT may be entrusted to organise a national science fair which will provide a forum to locate gifted students in science. A provision of Rs. 10 lakh for the Plan period is proposed for this activity.

(iii) Training courses for science club sponsors.- Experience during the Second and Third Plan periods has shown that the activities in science clubs. become static at the level of classification, collection, duplication and model-making, unless the science club sponsors are oriented to develop new ideas. It is proposed that the State institutes of science should organise orientation. courses for science clubs sponsors of those schools which will receive assistance for establishing science clubs. A provision of Rs. 10 lakh is proposed for this activity.

(iv) Establishment of State science museums.- Science museums play a very important role in helping the children as well as adults develop a correct understanding of science and appreciate its role in life and national economy. It is proposed that during the Plan period 10 such units may be developed at the State headquarters at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh per unit. These State museums will ultimately provide an excellent forum to organise the State-level science fairs and give impetus to science club movement in general. The cost for this scheme during the Plan period will be Rs. 50 lakh.

Physical Education, Jr. N.C.C. and Social Services Programmes

15. An ad hoc provision of Rs. 10.0 crore is made for these schemes.

School Buildings

16. The Steering Group at its third meeting decided generally not to make any provision for school buildings. However, in view of the fact that a large number of new secondary schools will have to be opened in backward rural areas and in the slums of towns and cities, a provision of Rs. 25. 00 crore is made for the construction of school buildings.

Outlays

17. The total provision suggested for secondary education (excluding provision for pre-service and inservice training of science teachers) works out to about Rs. 20 1. 00 crore (vide details at Statement II). This allocation is only Rs. 1 crore higher than the ceiling of Rs. 200 crore suggested by the Steering Group.

IV. SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE FOURTH PLAN