INTRODUCTORY
 

Education for All (EFA) a global challenge. All nations have a stake in its India is committed to achieve this goal as one of the participants of EFA 9 Summit hosted in New Delhi in December, 1993.

The National Policy on Education 1986 (NPE)and its Programme of Action. 1992 (POA) provide. an excellent framework for guiding the national efforts to achieve the objective of Universaliation of Elementary Education (UEE) and EFA by 2000 A.D.

The NPE conceives education as a dynamic, cumulative life long process, providing diversity of learning opportunities to all, people; but simultaneously lays stress on girls, children and youth, particularly, those belonging to the disadvantaged groups. It envisages improvement and expansion of literacy and adult education programme; elimination of disparities In access and improvement in the quality and relevance of basic education. NPE emphasises that, education must play a positive, interventionist role in correcting social imbalance, in empowering women and in securing a rightful place for linguistic and religious minorities. Equality in education is a prelude to social and economic equality.

While UEE is the ultimate goal, no strategies can succeed without addressing its gender and regional dimensions specifically. Gender disparities are conspicuous in India. Recognising this gender bias, most programmes have specific components for ameliorating the condition of the girl child, The NPE sees education as an instrument that could bring about basic change in the status of women and envisages a well-conceived edge in favour of women.

With 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1992, focus is now on democratically elected bodies at grass root level. These Panchayati Raj bodies would have adequate representation of women, SCs/STs, and will have the responsibility of preparing development plans and implementing educational programme along with other subjects closely related to education such as health, social Welfare; and women and child development. The Panchayati Raj Act provides an exceptionally `enabling' framework for viable strategies and interventions that would play a commanding role in promoting UEE.

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Consistent with the priority accorded to Education, the nation is committed to raise the outlay on education to 6% of GNP by the turn of the century, as against the present level of about 3.5%.

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