 SECONDARY EDUCATION

National Policy on Education places special emphasis on qualitative improvement and development of national curriculum and to improve the teaching of Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Vocational Education and Work experience, Art Education, Health and Physical Education alongwith Values in Education and Population Education. A number of Programmes have been formulated for enrolment of girls, SCs/STs and disabled children.

The National Policy on Education 1986 accords high priority to Vocationalisation at Secondary Stage and set up a target of diverting 10% students at +2 level to the Vocational stream by 1995 and 25 % by 2000 A.D. A Centrally sponsored Scheme of Vocationalisation of Secondary Education was launched in February, 1988 with the objective of - (i) enhancing individual employability; (ii) reducing mismatch between demand and supply of skilled manpower; (iii) providing an alternative to those pursuing higher education without any aim or purpose.

The Scheme envisages setting up of separate management structure at various levels in each State i.e. Directorate, State Council of Educational Research and Training(SCERT) , Districts and Schools. Substantial financial assistance is provided by the Central Government to States/UTs.

The focus in recent years has been on consolidation and qualitative improvement of the programme. Management structure in the states is being strengthened, linkages with industry are being sought, apprenticeship training programme is being revamped and the gap in the area of curriculum is being gradually filled up. Industry is to be involved in a more meaningful manner.

National Council of Educational Research and Training

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an apex resource organisation to assist and advise the Central and State the Governments on academic matters relating school to education.

NCERT has been providing special inputs in terms of training of teachers, research, development of teaching/ learning material, implementation and evaluation and other related matters in various Sectors of education particularly Early childhood Education (ECE), District Primary Education Programme (DPEP), Non-Formal Education (NFE), etc.

to achieve the goal of Universalisation of Elementary Education.

In Secondary Education Sector,the NCERT has taken up various innovative programmes to diversify and make qualitative improvement. The main focus is on education in Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences and Humanities; Vocational Education; Publication of textbooks, educational journals; Teacher Education; Educational Measurement and Evaluation, examination reforms, National Talent Search; Educational Technology programmes; Educational Research, Innovations and Surveys.

National Open School

The National Open School (NOS) is oriented towards providing alternative to formal schooling system. The National Open School has formulated an innovative project aimed at providing schooling to neo- literates; school dropouts and dropouts from non-formal education system.

Central Board of Secondary Education

Central Board of secondary Education (CBSE) is a self financing institution. The Board has been a precursor in introducing innovations and reforms at the Secondary level so as to bring education at par with international standards.

The CBSE takes up multiple activities relating to affiliation of schools, academics matters such as development and improvement of school curriculum and undertaking various examinations at Secondary level and Pre-medical examinations.

Science Education

Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to State Governments/Union Territories and voluntary agencies to improve the quality of science education and promote scientific temper in secondary and senior secondary schools.

Educational Technology

This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme combining certain elements of a Central Plan Scheme. The Scheme seeks to provide the entire cost of Radio-cum-Cassette Player in Primary schools and 75% cost of Colour TV in upper primary schools to provide access to quality education. For production of State Television/ Educational Television programmes, a Central Institute

of Educational Technology (CIET) at the centre and six autonomous Institutes of Educational Technology (SIET) at Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat have been set up.

Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools(CLASS)

A pilot project on Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools (CLASS) was initiated in 1984-85 in consultation with Department of Electronics. The broad objectives of the pilot project included demystification of Computers and to provide `Hands on' experience. The scheme has been revised since 1993-94 based on its evaluation.

National Awards for Teachers

The Scheme of National Awards for Teachers was started in the year 1958-59 with the objective of raising the prestige of teachers and giving public recognition to the meritorious teachers working in Primary, Middle and Higher Secondary Schools. The number of awards given has been increased from 296 to 302 from the award year 1993.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghathan

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghathan was set up in 1965 as an autonomous organisation, primarily for catering to the educational needs of the children of transferable Central Government Employees including Defence Personnel. At present there are 838 Kendriya Vidyalayas in the country.

The enrolment of students in all Kendriya Vidyalayas is more than seven lakhs and the staff employed is around 43,000.

Navodaya Vidyalayas

Navodaya Vidyalayas are residential coeducational institutions providing education upto Senior Secondary stage. Education in Navodaya Vidyalayas is free. Incentives are also provided. 377 Navodaya Vidyalayas have been sanctioned so far.

Central Tibetan School Administration

Central Tibetan School Administration was set up in 1961 with the objective to establish, manage and assist schools in India for the education of Tibetan Children.

In the year under report, 11642 students are receiving education in 88 schools spread all over India.