MALPRACTICES, CORRUPTION AND POLITICISATION

In this regard one major issue discussed by non-educational organisations consists of abolition of capitation fee.

Politicisation

Non-educational organisations have pleaded for non-political interference in the functioning of educational institutions. A voluntary Organisation from Karnataka stresses that : "teacher and students should be discouraged to develop contacts and relations with political parties". An all India based voluntary association of parents suggests that "teacher should be banned from contesting elections". In context of improving administration, an action group from Madhya Pradesh also strongly suggests for non-interference of politicians in location of educational institution, promotion, placement, transfer of teachers, etc.

Increasing interference by the politicians and political organisations in student universities has not been appreciated by non- educational organisations. One Organisation has suggested to have election of office bearers of the university on the basis of the

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speific qualifications and interest in the specific portfolios which the contestants would like to hold if elected, rather than having general election of office bearers and then allocating the portfolio to office bearers.

Adult Education

Adult education has been considered as a pre-condition for achieving universalisation of elementary education. Various suggestions put forth for promoting adult education include :

- Making adult education directly relevant for the reeds of learner by combining it with training in some income generating crafts and skills. As one group aptly puts it that the educational content in that programme should go "beyone literacy".

- Enlisting support of students' teachers, educated youths. The students of secondary and post secondary stages may be compulsorily required to take up teaching of adults as a part of their education before the award of school leaving certificates or higher degrees.

- Encouraging voluntary agencies to take up adult education programmes. Precisely the thrust of various recommendations is on planning of functional adult education programme "tailored to the needs of adults". "Reducing their disability and enhancing their productivity". Diversifying content by relating to the environment and to the needs of community, family welfare, child care, health and hygiene education.

"Social relevance of education" has been viewed as of paramount concern. This through a iterative and interactive process with reference to time and clientele is continuous process requiring redesigning and re-framing of content and curriculum as per emerging new perceived needs". Hence adult education programmes have to take on continuing basis.

A youth forum from Rajasthan asserts that "adult education should be linked with economically gainful and functional aspects of living".

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Other specific suggest ions for promoting, adult education include:

- Launching adult education programmes as a national movement

- Adult education be linked with development work and programmes of various developmental agencies.

- All primary schools should act as centres for adult Education

- All educated youth and teachers should be involved in spreading adult education

- It should be compulsory for students at secondary and post- secondary stage to devote 100 days of social work in the area of adult education or literacy work before the award of higher secondary certificate or completing university degree.

- In rural areas, educated persons should be used as "educational entrepreneurs"

- Willing voluntary organisations may be provided with facilities to work in the area of adult education

- Panchayats and other local bodies may be involved in planning and implementation of the programmes.

- Short orientation courses may be instituted for all those taking up adult education programmes.

- Retired teachers should be utilised for non-formal programes after their brief reorientation about their role and current methodologies in tackling the problem of adults.

Among adult groups, illiterate workers, both in organised and non-organised section, constitute the most vulnerabble section of society who are exploited and discriminated on account of their sheer ignorance. Several questions offered to promote general education as well as skill based education include :

- Cooperation of employers may. be enlisted for imparting general education to illiterate's as well as skill based education on continuing basis to the workers.

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- Regular training programmes would be organised for young workers. They should be imparted Trade Union education.

- Centres for vocational guidance, employers and welfare guidance may be set up for the benefit of young workers. The educational content of their training programme may inter- alia include awareness about the risks of use of alcohol, drugs and to resist evil social practice like dowry, etc.

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Appendix

Non-Educational Organisations

1. Karnataka Parents Association for Mentally Retarded Citizens, Bangalore

2. Young Workers - Bombay

3. The Friends at Archives Group

4. Rotary club, Balsar.

5. Bharatiya Samaj Unauti Mandal, Bhiwandi.

6. Asima Animal Protection Human Nutrition (World Conference)

7. National Spritual Assembly or the Bahals of India

8. Karnataka Gona Kala Parishat, Bangalore

9. Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, N.D.

10. National Federation of India Woman (N.D.)

11. Democratic Forum

12. Karnataka Consumer Service Society

13. Vimukt Jati Seva Samiti

14. Indian Engineers' Society Bilaspur, M. P.

15. Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) Maharashtra State

16. The Common Trust Bangalore

17. Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh Karnataka

18. All India Parents Association, Lucknow U.P.

19. All India Society for National Integrity and Social Change, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

20. Akhil Bharat Warshiya Dharam Singh, Delhi.

21. Doordarshan Gyandip Mandal, Bikaner, Rajasthan.

22. Bhartiya samaj Unnati Mandal, Bhiwandi

23. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Madras

24. Elders Council of India, London

25. Rotary Club of Trichi City, Tamil Nadu

26. All India Women's Conference, Calcutta

27. National Institute of Youth & Development, Orissa

28. Stree Seva Mandi, Madras

29. South Delhi Cultural Circle N. Delhi

30. The Institution of Surveyers, Delhi

31. Sri Ramakrishan Samithi, Orissa

32. Rajasthan Rajya Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Jaipur

33. World Conference on Ahimsa, Animal - Protection, Human nutrition, Delhi