Literacy and primary education
If some children in a class cannot read, the teacher makes extra efforts. In the same way the government ran schemes so that everyone in the country could read and write.
Literacy means being able to read and write. Primary education means schooling for children aged 6 to 14.
Key idea 1 : Growth of literacy — In the first census of independent India in 1951 literacy was about 17%. It became 34% in 1971, 43% in 1981, 52% in 1991 and 64% in 2001. In 1991 Kerala became a fully literate State.
Key idea 2 : Operation Blackboard — The central government started this scheme in 1988. Its aim was to give schools minimum facilities such as at least two good rooms, toilets, a blackboard, maps, a small library, sports material and a woman teacher among the two teachers.
Key idea 3 : DPEP and the mid-day meal — In 1994 the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) started in seven States including Maharashtra; its aims were attendance of all children, stopping drop-outs, and education of girls and differently-abled children. In 1995 the mid-day meal scheme started so that children get nourishment.
- Easy : Which State became fully literate in 1991? — Kerala.
- Medium : When did the mid-day meal scheme start? — In 1995.
- Exam-type : By how many points did literacy rise from 1971 to 1981? — From 34% to 43%, that is 9 points.
In the figure: Literacy as per the census.
As per the textbook Tarabai Modak started anganwadis for tribal children in the Bordi-Kosbad area, and Anutai Wagh ran creches, balwadis and adult education classes through the Kosbad project. (check with the book)
1988 = Blackboard; 1994 = DPEP; 1995 = mid-day meal.
Primary education does not mean only Std I to IV; as per the textbook it is schooling for ages 6 to 14.
Memory clue: 88-94-95 = board, district, meal. Memory clue: “write on the board, learn in the district, eat the meal”.
Spot the difference
| Scheme | Year | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Operation Blackboard | 1988 | Minimum facilities to schools |
| DPEP | 1994 | Primary education for all |
| Mid-day meal | 1995 | Nourishment for children |
Practice questions
- 1What is literacy?
- 2For which age group is primary education?
- 3In which year did Operation Blackboard start?
- 4State two aims of DPEP.
- 5Why was the mid-day meal scheme started?
- 6By how many points was literacy in 2001 higher than in 1951?
- 7Why is the condition of a woman teacher important in Operation Blackboard?
- 8What measures would you suggest to raise literacy in your village?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Being able to read and write.
- 26 to 14 years.
- 3In 1988.
- 4Attendance of all and stopping drop-outs.
- 5So that children get nourishment and come to and stay in school.
- 664% − 17% = 47 points.
- 7Because girls and parents feel safer and more comfortable in school.
- 8Adult literacy classes, house visits, enrolling girls in school (student’s view).
Education commissions and the 10+2+3 pattern
To change a school timetable a committee of teachers first studies and then gives a report. In the same way commissions were appointed to study the country’s education.
An education commission is a committee of experts that studies education and suggests reforms. The 10+2+3 pattern means ten years of school, two years of higher secondary and three years of degree.
Key idea 1 : University Education Commission (1948) — After independence Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad decided to bring fundamental changes in education. So in 1948 the University Education Commission was appointed under Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Its subjects were university standards, grants and co-ordination.
Key idea 2 : Secondary Education Commission (1952-53) — The university commission suggested a separate commission for secondary education, so the Mudaliar Commission was appointed in 1952-53. It examined curriculum, medium of instruction and teaching methods and put forward the idea of higher secondary education. But it was difficult to implement it all over the country.
Key idea 3 : Kothari Commission (1964) — In 1964 a commission was appointed under Dr Daulat Singh Kothari; Dr J. P. Naik made great contributions. The commission suggested the 10+2+3 pattern, inclusion of the mother tongue, adult education, correspondence education and open universities, and more provision for the education of weaker sections. Maharashtra adopted 10+2+3 in 1972 and the first Std X Board exam was held in 1975.
- Easy : Who chaired the 1948 commission? — Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
- Medium : Which was the secondary education commission? — Mudaliar Commission (1952-53).
- Exam-type : When was the first Std X Board exam in Maharashtra? — In 1975.
In the figure: Three commissions and implementation in Maharashtra.
What happened before the Kothari Commission? In July 1964 the central government appointed a commission to study all levels of education and give advice; the then chairman of the University Grants Commission, the physicist Daulat Singh Kothari, became its head. Medical and legal education were left out of its work.
What happened after the Kothari Commission? On 29 June 1966 the commission submitted its report to the then Education Minister M. C. Chagla; it was titled “Education and National Development”. The first national education policy based on it was passed by Parliament in 1968 and later 10+2+3 became established across the country.
1948 university; 1952 secondary; 1964 whole education.
The Kothari Commission did not suggest only 10+2+3; it also suggested mother tongue, adult education and provision for weaker sections.
Memory clue: Ra-Mu-Ko = university-secondary-whole. Memory clue: “Ram-Mukund-Kothari, three teachers”.
Spot the difference
| Commission | Year | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Radhakrishnan | 1948 | University education |
| Mudaliar | 1952-53 | Secondary education |
| Kothari | 1964-66 | 10+2+3, whole education |
Practice questions
- 1What is an education commission?
- 2Who was the chairman of the 1948 University Education Commission?
- 3For what was the Mudaliar Commission appointed?
- 4What is the 10+2+3 pattern?
- 5Which policy came after the Kothari Commission report was submitted?
- 6Write any three recommendations of the Kothari Commission.
- 7When did Maharashtra adopt 10+2+3 and what was its first result?
- 8Prepare a table comparing the three commissions.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1A committee of experts that studies education and suggests reforms.
- 2Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
- 3To study secondary education.
- 4Ten years of school + two years of higher secondary + three years of degree.
- 5The first National Policy on Education of 1968.
- 610+2+3 pattern; inclusion of the mother tongue; open universities/adult education.
- 7Adopted in 1972; the first Std X Board exam was held in 1975.
- 8Radhakrishnan 1948 university; Mudaliar 1952-53 secondary; Kothari 1964-66 whole.
Educational institutions and National Policy on Education 1986
In a school the headmaster, the syllabus committee and the book section do different jobs. In the same way different institutions run education in the country and the State.
There are special institutions at the central and State level for education policy, curriculum, textbooks and examinations. The National Policy on Education 1986 suggested a common core curriculum for all States.
Key idea 1 : At the central level: NCERT — The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was established in Delhi on 1 September 1961. Its jobs are helping the central government in school education, educational research, teacher training and designing curriculum and textbooks. SCERTs were set up in all States on its lines.
Key idea 2 : Institutions in Maharashtra — The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education was established at Pune on 1 January 1966; it conducts Std X and Std XII exams. Balbharati was established at Pune on 27 January 1967 and prepares textbooks for Std I to XII in many languages. The Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research and Training was established at Pune in 1984.
Key idea 3 : National Policy on Education 1986 — This policy made fundamental changes in primary, secondary and higher secondary education. A common core curriculum was framed for all States so that all students in the country get equal opportunity; still States can keep flexibility according to their cultural, geographical and historical needs. The Primary Education Curriculum 1988 was based on it.
- Easy : Where and when was NCERT established? — In Delhi, 1 September 1961.
- Medium : Which body conducts Std X-XII exams in Maharashtra? — The Board at Pune.
- Exam-type : Which institution prepares textbooks? — Balbharati.
In the figure: Education bodies of the Centre and the State.
As per the textbook after the formation of Maharashtra State in 1960 a common curriculum for Std I to VII was decided for the whole State and the work of preparing its draft was given to Principal Sayyad Rauf of S. T. College, Mumbai. (check with the book)
NCERT 61; Board 66; Balbharati 67; SCERT 84; policy 86.
NCERT and SCERT are not the same; NCERT is of the Centre, SCERT of the State.
Memory clue: 61-66-67-84-86 = N-B-B-S-P. Memory clue: “first NCERT, then Board-Balbharati, then SCERT, finally the policy”.
Spot the difference
| Body | Year | Work |
|---|---|---|
| NCERT | 1961 | Research, training, curriculum |
| State Board | 1966 | Std X-XII exams |
| Balbharati | 1967 | Textbooks |
Practice questions
- 1Give the full form of NCERT.
- 2When and where was the Maharashtra State Board established?
- 3What is the work of Balbharati?
- 4What is SCERT?
- 5State one feature of the National Policy on Education 1986.
- 6Why is a common core curriculum necessary?
- 7Explain the difference between NCERT and SCERT.
- 8Prepare a chronological table of five bodies.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1National Council of Educational Research and Training.
- 2On 1 January 1966 at Pune.
- 3Preparing textbooks for Std I to XII.
- 4State Council of Educational Research and Training.
- 5A common core curriculum for all States.
- 6So that all students get equal educational opportunity.
- 7NCERT is at the central level; SCERT is of each State, set up on its lines.
- 8NCERT 1961; Board 1966; Balbharati 1967; SCERT 1984; policy 1986.
Satellite education, open university and research
If a teacher cannot reach children in a far village, teaching can be done through TV or letters. In the same way satellites and the open university took education far away.
Satellite education means teaching by sending programmes through a satellite. An open university gives education at home through correspondence and tools like television.
Key idea 1 : Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) — In 1975 India successfully used a satellite for education. This experiment was carried out under the leadership of the Space Applications Centre at Ahmedabad and ISRO scientist Eknath Chitnis played an important role. America helped in it. It helped to provide good education in rural areas.
Key idea 2 : Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) — The aim was that the stream of education should reach every ordinary home. The United Nations declared 1970 as the International Education Year and in the same year the idea of an open university came up at a seminar in Delhi. In 1974 the P. Parthasarathy committee was appointed and IGNOU was established in 1985.
Key idea 3 : Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) — CSIR was established in 1950. Research began in physics, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, food processing and mining. Contracts with industries reduced imports and saved foreign exchange; it also helped bring back students who had gone abroad to study.
- Easy : In which year was SITE? — In 1975.
- Medium : In which year was IGNOU established? — In 1985.
- Exam-type : When was CSIR established? — In 1950.
In the figure: Timeline of CSIR, SITE and IGNOU.
What happened before SITE? In 1969 India’s Department of Atomic Energy and America’s NASA signed an agreement about SITE. For the experiment NASA’s ATS-6 satellite was brought over India and Indian engineers with NASA’s help made special TV sets for villages.
What happened after SITE? In the one year from 1 August 1975 to 31 July 1976 programmes reached about 2400 villages in six States. When the experiment ended as planned the satellite was moved away; the experience helped India’s own INSAT satellite series.
1975 SITE; 1985 IGNOU; 1950 CSIR.
SITE was an experiment, not a permanent service; it lasted one year.
Memory clue: 50-75-85 = research-satellite-open. Memory clue: “50 research, 75 sky, 85 home”.
Spot the difference
| Body/Experiment | Year | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| CSIR | 1950 | Scientific research |
| SITE | 1975 | Education through satellite |
| IGNOU | 1985 | Education at home |
Practice questions
- 1Give the full form of SITE.
- 2In which year was SITE and which country helped?
- 3What is an open university?
- 4In which seminar did the idea of IGNOU come up?
- 5What happened before and after SITE?
- 6How did CSIR benefit the country?
- 7Why is satellite education important for rural areas?
- 8What benefit do you see in an open university?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Satellite Instructional Television Experiment.
- 21975; America (NASA).
- 3A university that gives education at home through correspondence and tools like television.
- 4In the Delhi seminar of the 1970 International Education Year.
- 5Before: the 1969 NASA agreement and special TV sets; after: the experiment ended and helped INSAT.
- 6Contracts with industries reduced imports and saved foreign exchange.
- 7Because far villages lack teachers and programmes reach many villages at once.
- 8One can study while working (student’s view).