RESOURCES (CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES)
Prof. B. Ganguly, Head, Department of Education in Science & Mathematics and Dean (Academic), NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi- 110016 (24th September, 1990)
- It is said that resource Is the most important constraint. It is true, but resource will never be enough, if we continue to waste whatever little is available. If actions are taken honestly and earnestly, it is possible to tackle our educational problems with the resources from within the country. We should not and must not borrow money from any external agency for the improvement of our education.
- Education should not depend upon mere allotment of GNP or loan from foreign sources.
- We should accept that It would never be possible for the government to provide the resources required for the improvement of education. For this reason, we should think about other mechanisms of collecting resources. Who gets the benefits of education? Individuals, community, different developmental sectors (public and private). The developmental sectors enjoy the benefits of research and of higher education. Therefore, they should totally fund the research activities. For this reason, better linkages between universities and the developmental sectors are needed.
- The rise of literacy increases the efficiency of developmental sectors. Therefore, all the developmental sectors should be
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responsible for literacy programmes not only for their workers and their families but also in the adjoining areas of their sector.
- It is a well known fact that 10% of the population enjoys 80% of the country's economic development. Why should they not be compelled to part with 10% of their monthly income for the education of their own children at all levels?
- Once some stability is attained through minimum developmental programmes, the community itself will demand for its further improvement. At that time expenditure will have to be shared by the community.
- Government must provide fund for scholarships to all meritorious students and subsidies to the economically and educationally deprived sections of the society.
Dr. H.S. Singha, Chairman, Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi - (24th September, 1990)
- Right to education be made a fundamental right. The expenditure on education needs to be increased significantly. At least 6% of the GNP be spent on education.
Dr. Ramjee Singh, Professor & Head, Department of Gandhian Thought, Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur - letter dated 29.9.90
- Either education be made self-supporting or atleast 10% of the GNP should be set apart for education.
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Shri Malcolm S. Adiseshiah, Chairman, Madras Institute of Development Studies, 79, 2nd Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Madras-600020 (20th September, 1990)
- Considerable financial wastage is taking place under the existing financial allocations in the educational system. A financial audit like the one carried out by the Tamil Nadu Financial Review Committee in 1976, may be undertaken every five years by every unit of the system as well as by each State to identify the financial wastage and redeploy it on the priorities of the system.
Dr. C.M. Bhatia, Ex-Vice-Chancellor, University of Allahabad, 8, Vijay Nagar Colony, Agra-282004 (25th September, 1990)
- No indication of resource mobilisation has been given. Why cannot black money be mopped up and earmarked solely for Primary Education? It has been suggested for Housing provision.
Shri Tarun Kumar Raha, General Secretary, Calcutta University Teachers' Association, Calcutta, Letter dated (1.10.90)
- We feel that education should really be accorded the highest priority in providing adequate financial resources.
Prof. J.S. Rajput, Joint Educational Adviser, Ministry of HRD, New Delhi, Letter dated 4.10.90
- In the absence of clear-cut decision regarding continuance of Centrally sponsored schemes, there has not been much activity under these schemes during the last year and the current year. Hence, In order to have fruitful results of the schemes, it would be necessary to continue them upto the end of the eighth five year plan, if it is decided to continue the same.
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Prof. D.P. Barooah, Vice-Chancellor, Gauhati University, Guwahati Letter dated 2nd October, 1990
- Barring Central Universities, Universities are generally starved of funds. To remedy this a University Grants Committee in the manner prescribed by the Radhakrishnan Commission ought to be set up in every State. In this regard, the point made In Education Reform Commission Punjab, 1985 regarding autonomy of the University ought to be accepted.
Shri N. Satyanarayana, President Constructive Forum, 39, Babar Road, New Delhi-110001, Letter dated 8.10.90.
- Education for all can easily be given on cheap lands i.e. in outskirts by gradually disposing of the urban educational properties. The process will fetch thousands of crores of rupees, which can be utilised for free residential schools in outskirts.
Dr. D.A. Ghanchi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, North Gujarat University, Patna-384265 - Letter dated 5th October, 1990.
- In the matter of decentralisation of educational planning, by and large, the approach of the N.D.c. for `Local area planning' should be the guiding principle. However, there should be no blanket ban on centrally sponsored schemes. Such schemes should in course of time, say five or seven years, be transferred to local control after due preparation. However, new., innovative central schemes should continue to be initiated and the spiral of development should be encouraged.
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- It is possible to involve the community and alumni in formal teaching as well as building up links between the school and community In a number of ways. School adoption by corporate bodies, industries and business is an untapped resource.
- An equitable formula for restructuring the fees for higher education is over-due. Taxes on users of educational products should also be tried. Public donations should earn exemption from income-tax, wealth tax, etc. Schemes of educational vouchers also can be tried out. Special cess and surcharges must also be levied selectively. Educational institutions should also be encouraged to earn through avenues like investment, real estate, productions in their installations, consultancy etc.
Professor Dr. Omkar N. Wakhlu, Consulting Engineering, Buchwara, Old Gangribal Road, Srinagar-190001 - Letter dated 30.9.90
- It is agreed that financial allocations for education should be enhanced. The final recommendations should define a national norm in terms of number of primary schools, high schools, vocational schools and industrial training institutes in a given local area based on population size and geography. Financial allocations shall be based on similar norms.
- Most parents are willing to pay for good education. The idea of free education must be restricted to children of poor parents only. Others must pay for Common School Education to some extent.
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Dr. R.P. Singhal, Executive Director (Retd.), NIEPA, Former Chairman, CBSE and Consultant (Education), Asian Development Bank and Ed. CIL, letter dated 5.10.90.
- The Centre has really to provide leadership in educational development. Both Central and State Governments have to find additional resources if it is considered that education is a vital area of development and is an investment in future. There are various ways by which additional resources could be mobilised. Levying fee for higher education is one such way. Equally important is the optimum utilisation of available resources.
Dr. Khem Singh Gill, Vice-chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (1.10.90)
- The amount which presently we spend on law enforcing agencies can be diverted for improving educational system because properly educated masses pose very few law and order problems.
Shri Kondapaka Kishan Rao, Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal, Pramukh Andhra & Tamilnadu, 17-1-391/V52, Saraswathinagar, Saidabad, Bhagyanagar, Andhra Pradesh-500659 (5.10.1990)
- Nearly 10% of the national budget and 30% of the state budget should be alloted for education.
Shri G.M. Verma, C-4/H/164-B, Janak Puri, New Delhi (October 4, 1990)
- Additional funds for education should not be spent on salaries alone.
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Shri Pabitra Kumar Sarma, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, (5.10.1990)
- Government alone will not be able to meet the cost of education. As such, fee should be charged from class VIII upwards. However, education up to class VII should be free and compulsory. Scholarships should be made available to the needy and deserving students.
- Fifty per cent of the fund of the State Government budget earmarked for education should be for infrastructure development of educational institutions. Educational institutions should be able to raise funds for further expansion including payment of salaries to the teachers.
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