 PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

In this context various issues taken by the non-educational organisations clearly demonstrate their mounting concern for equality in education, democratisation of the process of planning. The recommendations of various groups range from supporting a highly subsidized system of elementary education which, by and large, should be ungraded, uniform in content and quality to a very restrictive system of higher education, where entry is strictly on the basis merit and the enter finances for non-professional courses are to be borne out by the concerned institutions and the individuals. The non- educational groups have tried to explore the constitutional and other mechanisms to this end. Their recommendations are briefly as follows :

Constitutional Provisions:

The credibility of states for providing adequate funds to the vital issue of universalisation of elementary education or even for providing literacy in a span of nearly four-decades following the Independence perhaps need no further tests. The non-educational organisations and groups, therefore, seem to lend full support to educations being on the Concurrent List. A senior citizen's group from Maharashtra observes : "Education should be made a Concurrent Subject in the real sense with adequate funding ... for effective implementation of well stated policies".

In the context of universalisation of elementary education it is suggested that the existing practice of having class V as terminal should be dispensed with. Pre-primary, primary and middle stages may form one integrated unit. Pence, Anganwadis, Balmandirs and other preschool institutions should be integrated with elementary education. As the goal of universalisation is still illusive. Article 45 of the Directive Principle of State "Policy should be deleted or amended by a fresh directive for attaining universal elementary education by the beginning of the 21st century.

An action group from Delhi has even proposed to amend Article 51 A of the constitution - by adding a cluase for enjoining upon every citizen to see that child is educated.

To ensure effective implementation of well stated goals and policies it is suggested that the government may legislate comprehensive "Educational Act". The educational legislation is considered necessary to fulfill the commitment of implementation of universalisation of elementary education and education of deprived groups. "The legislation may inter alia include "assured time-frame to actualise the goals; indicate the nature of Centre and State Programmes for achieving such goals, etc."

Some other common suggestions for promoting universalisation of elementary education include the following

Elementary education should be free and there should be free supply of mid-day meals, text-books, stationary, uniforms etc.

Poor families may be provided financial support to compensate for the opportunity cost of sending their children to school.

Neighbourhood school system should be strictly implemented.

As far as possible local teachers should be appointed.

School timings and vacations should be as per local needs.

For drop-outs, non-formal and part-time education be provided.

Massive effort be made to achieve universal adult literacy as it constitutes the pre-requisites for the success of universalisation of elementary education.

Teacher pupil ratio should not exceed 1:30. This should constitute the pre-condition for granting recognition and providing grant in aid to institutions.

Adequate infrastructural facilities i.e., buildings, equipment, etc. must be made available to all elementary schools in next five years.

Support of voluntary organisations should be enlisted for changing, people's attitudes towards education, motivating them to send their children to schools and supervising the functioning of local schools.

Decentralised Planning and People's Participation Decentralised democratic planning at the grass-roots and community participation are much cherished strategies for effective planning and implimentation of educational policies. It is held test there should be grass-root planning to eradicate illiteracy. A non-political group strongly observes that even by merely decetralisation of planning, administration and supervision, it will not be possible to achieve universalisation of elementary education without effective involvement of the community in the planning and implementation process. It is recommended that there should be a greater involvement of community in maintenance of physical facilities, management of schools, evaluation of teachers, etc.

It is emphasised that in the implementation of policies, all the prevailing inefficiencies, attitudes of indifference, unwillingness, paucity of financial resources, procedural hindrances should be curbed forthwith.

Decentralisation of educational administration may be achieved by constituting Educational Councils at districts level.

Participatory management in planning and implementation of schemes has been strongly advocated. It s recommended that in school management, the teachers and parents must have an effective say and participation in planning and implementation of policies. Private schools supported or recognised by government must have governing council with the representation of teachers, parents and administrators. It should be ensured that the staff is not unduly harassed and exploited.

Carrot and stick principle may be adopted. Well accepted rules and procedures should be no form for political interference in matters like selection of teachers promotion.

Linking Educational Planning with Socio-economic Planning

Education has all pervasive links with all socio-economic sectors. Mistakes in educational planning are irrepairable and may result in colossal waste of resources and result in chaos.

It is, therefore, urged that education should forge close linkages with other sectors. A declaration of a workshop of voluntary organisation resolves : "Education may be the concern of the Department, that its success will depend upon the cooperation of all

Departments of the Government both in formulation and actualisation of policy". Other suggestions in this connection are :

Educational departments, universities and colleges should be closely linked with private and public sector enterprises as to bring out coordination between curriculum and actual requirements of economic sectors.

Education department must maintain continuous dialogue with various economic and social Ministries and educational planning should be clearly linked to socioeconomic planning.

Supervision and Inspection

Supervision and inspection has been recognized as the weakest link in educational administration adversely affecting the quality of education and teaching. It is felt necessary to have separate staff for academic (teachers) and, non-academic administrators supervision and inspection It should be seen that administration does not 'become unduely over powerful. The inspection and supervisory staff both academic and non-academic, should be given short term training and orientation periodically.

There, should be no political interference in appointment, allocation, of work, placement of teachers. A non-political association from Karnataka stress stresses, that teachers and students should be discouraged to develop contacts and relations with political parties.

Educational administration should vest with teachers and academicians. The educational administrators must posses deep interest in education and have professional knowledge, competence and interests.

Higher Education

Non-educational organisations view higher education purely as a channel for the pursuit of excellence in the specific areas of interest of learners as per national needs. The distortions in this produced and perpetuated by the existing system, whereby, the subsidises a big chunk of unproductive education of colleges serving as "baby sitting" for the different groups are swallowed with a pinch of salt.

To perform the much cherished role of the generator of ideas, research and innovations, these forums have urged that:

i) The institutions of higher education should enjoy autonomous

ii) Vice-Chancellor and the senior administrative positions should be held by academicians only.

iii) Capitation fee should be abolished.

iv) Except for professional and technical jobs, there should be delinking of degrees from jobs. The minimum educational qualification for non-technical vocations may be higher secondary certificate only.

v) Higher educational institutions should devote more to research, quality and excellence in education.

vi) Students going for higher general education and taking up white collar jobs may be required to pay for their educational expenses.

(vii) Several organisations, from Karnataka constituting a common forum have recommended that the "higher education should aim for social relevance and diversification of education forging stronger linkages with society in general and with should offer only work oriented socially relevant courses catering to carefully identified tasks."

A non-political forum from Delhi recommends that admission to higher education should be open only to those who get 'A' grade. Further, to discourage unbridled rush for college, education, the same forum suggests that those who pursue higher education at university or at technical college level should be required to undertake national service, for one year in various areas like primary education, agriculture, forestry, hospital services, municipal services military or defence training, handi-crafts, or industrial training, etc. A voluntary organisation for Karnataka calls for a moratorium on further expansion of traditional pattern of education.