SECONDARY EDUCATION
 

4.1 Vocationalisation of Education

During the current year, District Vocational Surveys are being conducted in various States based on which vocational courses will be introduced in 189-90.

At the national level the CABE had appointed a Committee on Vocationalisation under the Chairmanship of Minister of Human Resource Development which held its last meeting in July 1988. This Committee appointed 2 Groups to work out appropriate vocational courses for girls and rural students. Both the groups have given their reports which are being processed.

A provision of Rs.50 crores has been made in the Plan budget for the year 1988-89. Sanction has already been accorded to Kerala, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Mizoram amounting to Rs.3.24 crores. The proposals of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Chandigarh amounting to Rs. 6.13 crores are being processed. Assistance to value of Rs. 6.00 lakhs has also been sanctioned to two voluntary agencies conducting non-formal programmes for vocational education.

4.2 Educational Technology

The new CIET building is nearing completion. The civil works of all SIETs have been completed and they have also been fully provided with physical facilities. In order to improve their efficiency as professional institutions they are being converted into autonomous organisations.

The UNDP project worth US dollars 2.2 million was successfully concluded on 31.10.1983. The department is proposing another UNDP project, focussing mainly on the needs of the SIETs, to the Department of Economic Affairs. The amount of assistance sought would be worth about US dollars 3844000 as per break-up given below:

        
             Incountry training                 US $ 800000
        
             Consultancy                        US $ 900000
        
             Fellowship                         US $ 344000
             
             Equipment                          US $ 200000
        
                                        Total   US $ 3844000
        
                                          

The scheme also envisages supply of TV sets/RCC players to elementary schools. For Tv sets, 75% cost is being borne by the Government of India and for RCC players 100% cost is being borne by the Government. To assist the States Governments and to standardise purchase procedures, certain guidelines along with design speciications have been communicated to all state government and the budget for 1988-89 is Rs. 5.80 crores. The proposals have been received from 18 States/UTs and so far Rs. 3.45 crores have been sanctioned to 8 States/Uts.

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4.3 Computer Education in Schools

The Programme of Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools (CLASS) was Started in 1984-85 but the evaluation made by the Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad showed that it had not been very effective. Therefore, the programme has been revamped and the estimated expenditure on the improved scheme is Rs. 198.4 crores spread over two years upto the end of the VII Plan. The proposal is being put up before the Expenditure Finance Committee before submission to the Cabinet. During the current year the Plan budget is just Rs. 6 crores which will require enhancement after the scheme is approved.

4.4 Strengthening of Science Teaching in Schools

This is a 100% centrally funded scheme and the response from the States has been enthusiastic. During 1988-89 a system of quarterly monitoring the continuous evaluation is being evolved. A provision of Rs.20 crores has been made in the Plan budget during the current year for this scheme. The proposals have been received from 7 States/UTs which are being processed. Sanctions amounting to Rs. 5.09 lakhs have been accorded to voluntary agencies.

4.5 Environmental Orientation to School Education

The scheme was approved for implementation from 1.4.88. Sanction has been accorded to the proposal of the Government of Himachal Pradesh for implementation of two projects covering 6 districts. A sizeable programme through the voluntary agencies has been approved and sanctions amounting to Rs. 16.91 lakhs has been given during the current year.

A provision of Rs. 2.70 crores has been made for this scheme under the Plan budget for 1988-89.

4.6 Content and Process of School Education

The content and process of school education is determined on the one hand by the structure of education, availability of teachers and school facilities and on the other hand by the quality of teaching in the schools. One of the salient features of the programme is to ensure that all the school-less habitation having a population of 300 or more should be provided a primary school by 1990. In respect of tribal, hilly and desert areas a habitation of 200 is the criterion. The NCERT has revised and publish a model curricula with the minimum learning outcomes and common code components for all stages. The revision of syllabi and text-books for all classes from I-XII is expected to be completed by 1990.

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