ELEMENTARY EDUCATION AND UNIVERSALISATION
University of Calcutta, Calcutta (Seminar held on 19th and 20th September, 1990)
- Appropriate steps should be suggested for introduction of free, universal elementary education within a target period.
- The line of demarcation between formal and non-formal education should be clearly stated. The idea of opening up and nonformalising school programme in creative ways is welcome. The nonformal education system is for taking care of children outside the school system. So non-formal system is needed as a temporary mechanism.
Gandhi Peace Foundation, 221-23 Dean Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi- 110002 (Consultation held on 13th and 14th October, 1990)
- There should be a national campaign for abolition of fees at the nursery level.
- It would be wrong to divide primary and secondary education into two separate stages. Instead, there should be integrated primary and secondary education of to 8 years.
Dr. J.K.P. Sinha, Indian Institute of Public Administration, Bihar Regional Branch, Kadamkuan, Patna-800003 (Seminar held at Patna on 9th November; 1990)
- Primary education be universalised and it should be made free and compulsory to ensure equal opportunities to children of different economic strata. The neighbourhood school concept should be integrated with universalisation of primary education.
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Shri R.N. Madhale, Principal, New English School & Junior College, Mahimangad, Tal. Man Distt. Satara, Maharashtra (9.11.1990)
- To encourage girls' education, child care centres (cradle houses) should be established with every primary school. This will enable girls to attend the schools apart from giving them valuable experience in nurturing children.
Shri Sanjeev Ghotge, D2, Indra Raj, Near Sheetal, Fergusson Road, Shivajinagar, Pune (2nd November, 1990)
- School education should be free and compulsory.
Dr. K.D. Paliwal, Article in the 'Jansatta', New Delhi dated 11th October, 1990
- The existing non-formal education does not suit working children. Hence, a new system be evolved.
Shri Manas Joardar, Article in the 'Telegraph', Calcutta dated 15th October, 1990
- Even if quality education is made available to all, the desired universalisation cannot be achieved unless economic reforms are simultaneously implemented.
Shri V. Paramasivan, Article in 'The Hindu', New Delhi dated 11th September, 1990
- All advance countries in the world at a certain point of time In their history had taken the crucial step of enforcing compulsory primary education. It is necessary to have an Act that makes it compulsory for all children in the age group 6- 14 to attend schools and that makes the parents/guardians and their abettors transgressing the rule punishable by law.
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Ms. Usha Rai., Article In 'The Times of India', New Delhi dated 23rd September, 1990
- The Paper has ignored the question of provision of basic infrastructure to primary schools. The Operation Blackboard Scheme should have been given priority and strengthened.
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