 DECENTRALISATION OF MANAGEMENT

University of Calcutta, Calcutta (Seminar held on 19th and 20th September; 1990)

- As keeping education in the Concurrent List of the Constitution is in the nature of weakening the federal fabrics of the, country and as it may be construed as incursion into the domain of diverse language and culture, education is to be reverted to the State List., as it was in the pre-emergency period.

Gandhi Peace Foundation, 221-23 Dean Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi- 110002 (Consultation held on 13th and 14th October; 1990)

- Decentralisation of the education system, including that of its management, primary depends on the scope of power and authority of the village bodies. The question, therefore, of disbursement of revenue at the source of its collection is central to final decentralisation.

Dr. N.R. Madhava Menon, Director, National Law School of India University, Central College Campus, Bangalore-560001 (Colloquilum at Bangalore on 3rd November, 1990)

- On the question of content and method of education a lot of experience is imperative. Curriculum planning and development is a continuing process which must attempt to synthesize the need for knowledge skills and attitudinal development. Vocationalisation is a desirable goal and this may be suitably adapted at every stage including University education. The concept of common school system is worthy of adaptation. So also the proposal to seek

accountability of higher education through linkages with removal of disparties and rural development. It is necessary to shift the emphasis in education from the teacher to the learner which would have several implications in the method and medium of instruction. There is no escape from the bi- lingual approach in tackling the issue of medium of instruction.

Fr. A. Orea, Inspector, Catholic Schools, Post Box No.2, Ranchi-834001 (14th November, 1990)

- Schools in both rural and urban setting should be grouped into school complexes with a "lead" school having special facilities - equipment, dedicated and competent teachers, library, laboratories, - sharing, them with the other schools in the complex.

Fr. John Vallamattam, Managing Director, Indian Currents (Weekly), 63- H, Pocket 4, Mayur Vihar, Delhi-110091 (5.11.1990)

- Voluntary agencies should be encouraged. However, abuses should be checked.

Shri Manas Jordar, Article in the 'Telegraph', Calcutta dated 15th October, 1990

- If the idea of decentralised management through educational complexes and committees is honestly implemented with no scope for 'remote control' from Central of State Government agencies it may go a long way to make education a genuine people's movement.

Smt. Nirupama Mishra, Article in the 'Orissa Times' (daily) dated 4th November, 1990

- The suggestions on decentralised management are unrealistic. Teacher should be given all decision making powers as regards curriculum and lesson planning for imparting effective education.

Shri V. Paramasivan, Article in 'The Hindu', New Delhi dated 11th September, 1990

- The Central Government institutions like Central Schools and Navodaya Vidyalayas are mainly responsible for widening the disparity between the urban and rural school children. One way to remove the disparity is to transfer the management of these institutions to the State Governments alongwith necessary financial resources.

Ms. Usha Rai., Article in 'The Times of India', New Delhi dated 23rd September, 1990

- There is talk of decentralisation but the States are not provided any avenues for articulating their needs. Decentralisation of educational management will also necessitate the decentralisation of the political system.

Gandhian Institute of Studies, Rajghat, Varanasi (proceedings of One day seminar held on 11th October; 1990)

- Village people should be actively involved in the management of primary schools.

Shri Ramashray Roy, Article in the "Hindustan Times", New Delhi dated 7th November, 1990

- The Paper talks of the need of the entire school system to be managed by the local communities to which it will be accountable. This is a welcome proposal. However, the type of decentralisation that is currently talked about is not genuine decentralisation since it does not intend to transfer effective self-control to local communities over all matters that are related to are vitally affect their lives. In a complex of scarcity the proposal to transfer the management of the school system will only politicise education.