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YEAR END REVIEW
The Year 2004 may as well go down as a watershed year in the history of the Ministry of Human Resource Development as a paradigm shift took place with the change of Government at the Centre. Many changes were brought about in conformity with the National Common Minimum Programme adopted by the UPA Government.
Education Cess
The Government imposed a cess of 2% on Central Taxes to generate the vital resources required for achieving the goal of Education for All. The cess will generate an additional Rs. 4000 crores which will be spent on Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid –day Meal Programmes.
Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE)
The Government revived and reconstituted the Central Advisory Board of Education after a gap of ten years. The fifty first meeting of CABE set up seven committees to look into critical issues on education. The committees will address issues such as elementary education, girl education, common school system, universalisation of secondary education, autonomy of higher education at institutions, integration of cultural education in the school curriculum, regulatory mechanism for text books and parallel text books taught in schools outside the government system.
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
SSA
As an umbrella programme the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan continued to support and build upon other primary and elementary education projects of government of India like DPEP, Lok Jumbish, Janshalla etc. while at the same time extended the coverage of the initiative upto class VIII i.e the elementary level beyond primary classes which were targeted under DPEP. The SSA covers all districts in the country in order to ensure access, retention and quality improvement in elementary education.
The total Plan Budget of the Ministry of Human Resource Development for the year 2004-05 is Rs. 8224.15 crores. Of this, the Plan Budget of the Department of Elementary Education & Literacy is Rs. 6000 crores (72.9%). The budget of SSA of Rs. 3057.08 crores comes to 50.9% of the budget of the Department of Elementary Education & Literacy. For the current year 2004-05, SSA plans of 596 districts in 35 States/UTs amounting to Rs. 10966.09 crores have been approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB).
Mid-day Meal Programme
Under Mid-day Meal Scheme, Central assistance is limited to two items viz. (i) free of cost foodgrains and (ii) transport subsidy. Cost of cooking is presently being met by respective state governments/local bodies. Of an enrolent of 10.87 crore children studying in primary classes in 2004-5, about 56% of them are being provided cooked mid-day meals. Supreme Court has directed Central government, inter-alia to provide cooking assistance to States. The Common Minimum Programme of the Government states that a “national cooked nutritious Mid-day Meal Scheme mainly funded by the Central Government will be introduced in primary and secondary schools….”. Similar policy pronouncements have also been made in President’s Address to Parliament and Finance Minister’s Budget Speech (2004-05).
SECONDARY EDUCATION
NCERT
Prof. Krishna Kumar of Delhi University was appointed the Director of NCERT. Keeping the interest of students in mind the Ministry set up a panel of historians to review the NCERT books. It decided to continue with the existing history books for the current academic year and to revert to earlier history books with suitable modifications for the 2005-06 academic year. The NCERT initiated action for curriculum renewal under the chairmanship of Prof. Yash Pal.
New Transfer Policy For Kendriya Vidyalaya Teachers
The Government evolved a new transfer policy framework for Kendriya Vidyalaya teachers. Under it, the following four principals will be followed:
i) No transfers will be made other than on administrative grounds or on requests made by teachers, outside the Zone or Region identified for this purpose by KVS.
ii) The transfers should mostly be done only against vacancies on the basis of requests for the same.
iii) As far as possible, where either of the spouses is in the employment of Central Government, KVS employees will not be transferred unless the spouse is also getting transferred. The same principle may also apply in respect of those teachers whose spouses are in Central PSUs or State Governments.
iv) Wherever transfers made in the past for lady teachers to places more than 500 kms, away, choice will be given to them to come back to any position within 500 kms. , provided there is a vacancy for the same.
Apart from the above principles, there would be a general approach of understanding of problems of teachers, particularly women teachers, and it would be the duty of the KVS administration to ensure that unnecessary distress is not caused to anyone.
SENSITIZING STUDENTS AGAINST FEMALE FOETICIDE
Students of Standard 8 to 10 belonging to Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country will now be sensitized against the evil practice of Female Foeticide. Awareness material for the teachers have been brought out by the National Commission for Women.
CANCELLATION OF APPOINTMENTS OF DEPUTATIONIST PRINCIPALS IN VIOLATION OF SC/ST RESERVATION PROVISIONS TO REGULAR POSTS
The MHRD cancelled the appointment orders of Principals who were initially taken on deputation to work as principals and subsequently regularized in those posts in violation of the rules of KVS and reservation rules of Government. The Ministry has also directed the repatriation to parent cadre of all deputationists working as Principals. A special drive will be undertaken to fill up the backlog of vacancies of Principals for SC and ST, followed by the general recruitment for all categories to fill up the remaining vacancies. Recruitment Rules for Principals in KVS would be amended providing 45% qualifying marks in Master's degree in case of direct recruits and in case of promotees, minimum one year (as against 3 years now) of qualifying service as Vice-Principal in Kendriya Vidyalaya for promotion to the post of Principal.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Autonomy Issue
In line with the NCMP, the government fully committed itself to respecting the autonomy of all the institutes of learning in the country and in particular those which are attained excellence where increasingly empowered to take all relevant decisions which enhance their autonomy and allow them to develop further. A number of measures have been initiated to strengthen the autonomy of the institutions . Selection procedures, which were stalled for the last few years because of non-appointment of Visitor’s nominee on the various Committees, have now been started. The University Grants Commission has written to all the Universities/Institutions for feedback on any infringement of their autonomy and/or any suggestions regarding corrective action. The power to decide on the fee structure has been restored to the IIMs. All Autonomous Bodies under the Department have been asked to give their considered suggestions for strengthening the autonomy of all academic institutions. The draft ‘Model Universities Act’ circulated by the UGC has been withdrawn. This would remove all apprehensions among the academic community about imposition of uniform norms across the university system.
Bharat Shiksha Kosh
The Ministry withdrew an earlier order which mandated that all educational institutions which receive donations or grants from external sources should get such donations routed through the Bharat Shiksha Kosh. With this order educational institutions were free to receive donations directly from their alumni and others.
New Policy Announced For Entrance Tests For Admission To Technical Courses
The Government came out with a new policy regarding entrance tests for admission to all professional educational institutions. Under the new policy it is mandatory for all educational institutions like National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Institute of Forge and Foundry Technology, Ranchi, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi and other Institutes of Central Government to base their admissions through all India Engineering Entrance Examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). For all other educational institutions like Central/Deemed Universities it has been made optional. It is up to the Institution to participate in the common entrance examination or conduct its own examination based on transparent procedure. The new policy is in conformity with the Government's Policy of respecting the autonomy of educational institutions.
A similar decision has been taken in regard to common entrance examinations for Business Management/PGDM or equivalent programmes conducted by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) etc. subject to the condition that these tests shall be conducted independently and are transparent. All specified Central Institutions admitting students on all India bases will have to opt for one of these examinations. All the Central/Deemed Universities will have the option to participate in these tests or conduct their own entrance examination and admit students in a fair and transparent manner.
The States will have the option to participate in these tests by giving option to CBSE, IIMs, IITs, AIMS, AIMA and XLRI.
UGC
UGC Directed To Reintroduce Scheme Of Research Scientists
Resolving the long drawn out dispute between the Research Scientists and the University Grants Commission, the Ministry of Human Resource Development directed the UGC that it need not pursue the cases against the scientists. MHRD also directed the UGC to reintroduce the scheme of Research Scientists with a view to promote high standards of research in Science and Humanities and to provide opportunities to persons having outstanding merit and the zeal for creative work. The Ministry has constituted a Committee to work out modalities of the scheme. The Chairman of the Committee will be eminent scientist Prof. C.N.R Rao.
Provisions Requiring Prior Clearance For Foreign Collaborations Withdrawn
In yet another effort to restore autonomy to institutions of higher learning, the Ministry of Human Resource Development today withdrew some of the guidelines issued in 2003 relating to MOUs for collaborations between Indian universities with those from other countries and restored status quo ante in this regard.
It may be recalled that on January 31, 2003 the Ministry of HRD had prescribed a procedure regarding signing of MOU by the Central Universities with foreign universities/institutions in respect of foreign collaborations. These guidelines made prior clearance from MHRD mandatory before an MOU could be signed.
Similarly, on May 2, 2003, MHRD laid down that all state universities could enter MOU with foreign universities or institutions only with the prior clearance from respective state governments and deemed universities from the UGC. Universities/Deemed Universities were required to furnish copies of MOU to be signed and a proforma was prescribed for the same.
The MHRD reviewed this position in the light of the National Common Minimum Programme drawn up by the United Progressive Alliance and considered the above-mentioned guidelines as an unnecessary interference in the autonomy of institutions of higher learning.
IIAS
The Government reconstituted the governing body of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla and appointed eminent historian Prof. J.S Grewal as the President of its Council and Chairman of the Governing Board. The government also reconstituted the Council and the Governing Body with new members and ordered a probe into the alleged mismanagement of the institute.
ICHR
The Ministry appointed Shri D. Bandopadhyay to review the work and progress of the Indian Council for Historic Research in the wake of several controversies involving this organization.
Probe Into Circumstances Leading To Decadence Of Gandhian Institute Of Studies, Varanasi
Appalled by the manner in which the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has been handling the revival of the Gandhian Institute of Studies (GIS), Varanasi, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the present situation at the GIS. Shri S. Sathyam, former Secretary to the Government of India will conduct the inquiry. Among other issues, Shri. Satyam has been asked to look into the role of ICSSR and of any individual or group of individuals in the stoppage of grants to GIS. He would also help in fixing responsibility for the continued denial of grants to GIS. Shri. Sathyam has been asked to identify lapses, if any, on the part of individuals or group of individuals affecting the normal functioning of the GIS.
IIMs
Five Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have granted an amount of Rs. 1,79,69, 757/- to their 255 students as scholarship under their Need Based Financial Assistance Programme during the current academic year 2004-05.
DISTANCE EDUCATION
The EDUSAT an educational channel launched recently is dedicated to educational purposes especially for distance education. The pilot project has been initiated in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh for networking of education to people staying in remote areas.
MINORITY EDUCATION
In conformity with the NCMP, the provisions in the education sector that have a bearing on the welfare of the minorities were given importance by the Ministry. A two-day meeting was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in July, 2004. The National Minority Education Monitoring Committee as proposed in the National Policy on Education, which had not been constituted since 1998, was constituted. Justice retired M.S.A. Siddiqui was appointed as the chairperson of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions. The Ministry of Human Resource Development constituted a Standing Committee of the National Monitoring Committee for Minorities' Education (NMCME), as it may not be possible for the entire committee to focus on each of the terms of reference in view of the logistics involved for arranging
The Parliament passed a Bill for the setting up of the National Commission for Minirity Educational Institutions to advise the Central Government or any State Government on any question regarding the education of minorities, to look into the complaints regarding violation of the rights of the minorities, to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice and to permit a minority educational institution to seek direct affiliation to a scheduled central university.
International Agreements
India and Myanmar signed an MOU to enhance cooperation in Education. The MOU envisages cooperation in joint research programmes in various areas including Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Human Genome. E-Learning, Remote Sensing etc. The two countries will also cooperate in advancement of Information Communication Technology, training on nano-technology. The MOU provides for exchange of scholars and academicians.
SPECIAL AREAS DEVELOPMENT
J & K
19 Icds Projects And 6817 Anganwadi Centres Sanctioned For J&K Reconstruction Plan
A Task Force was set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) for the creation of one lakh employment and self employment opportunities in J&K over the next two years. The Report of the Task Force has since been approved by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Recommendations contained therein are to be implemented by the Ministries/Departments concerned. A target of 1500 posts have been set under SSA for appointment of trained teachers in all primary schools for introducing English Language from the primary level. The Government of J&K has already appointed 8099 trained teachers in pursuance of this recommendation. However, as these posts cannot be accommodated under SSA as per existing norms, it has been decided that assistance for these posts, would be part of the Reconstruction Plan for J&K for the remaining three years of the Tenth Plan and from the 4th year onwards, the State Government would bear the burden of their salaries.
The Government has sanctioned 19 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Projects and 6817 Anganwadi Centres under the ICDS Scheme for the State of J&K. This is in pursuance of the Prime Minister's announcement of Reconstruction Plan for J&K during his visit to the State on 17th & 18th November, 2004.
13982 posts/staff have been sanctioned for the additional Projects and Anganwadi Centres.
North Eastern Region
High Level Group Set Up To Address Education, Women And Child Development Issues In North Eastern Region
The Government set up a 25 member high level Group under the chairmanship of the Minister for Human Resource Development to address specific issues relating to education, women & child development in the North Eastern Region including Sikkim. This is in pursuance of the announcement made by the Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Arjun Singh at the Conference of Chief Ministers and Education Ministers of North Eastern Region at Shillong on June 14-15, 2004. The Group will also address issues regarding funding of projects relating to education, women & child development from the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) for the North East and to advise, suo-moto, or on a reference made to it by the Central Government or any of the North East State Governments on any question relating to these issues.
WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
National Commission for Children
The Government is planning to set up a National Commission for Children to safeguard and protect rights of children. To give effect to this proposal the Government will introduce the National Commission for Children Bill in the coming Budget Session of Parliament.
The functions of the Commission will include among other things examining and reviewing the safeguard provided by the Constitution for the protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation. It will examine all factors that inhibit the enjoyment of rights of most vulnerable children affected by terrorism, communal violence, riots, natural disaster, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, trafficking, mal-treatment, torture and exploitation, pornography and prostitution and recommend appropriate remedial measures.
Mahila Samakhya and Swa Shakti Projects
The Ministry is also strengthening the Mahila Samakhya Scheme currently being implemented in 9 States spread over 60 districts and covering more than 13000 villages. The scheme has been empowering women at the grass-root levels. The budgetary allocation for the current financial year i.e 2004-05 is Rs. 30 crores.
The Swa Shakti Project also known as the Rural Women’s Development and Empowerment Project is a centrally sponsored Project with an estimated outlay of Rs. 186.21 crore. The project is being implemented through the women’s development corporations/societies in the state of Bihar, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttaranchal covering 57 districts, 335 blocks and 7531 villages.
The proposed commission will have a chairperson and six members, a member secretary and other supporting staff.
DRAFT BILL ON PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORK PLACE FORMULATED
The National Commission for Women has submitted a Draft Bill entitled 'The Sexual Harassment of Women at the Work place (Prevention and Redressal) Bill, 2004' for the consideration of the Government. This is in pursuance of the guidelines given by the Supreme Court in its judgement on August 13, 1997 in the Vishakha Case. It was emphasized and directed in the judgement that until a legislation is enacted for the purpose, the guidelines will be treated as the Law declared by the Supreme Court under Article 141 of the Constitution and the guidelines and norms would be strictly observed in all work places for the preservation and enforcement of the right of gender equality of the working women. The directions would be binding and enforceable in Law until suitable Legislation was enacted to occupy the field.
DELHI DECLARATION ON MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION CALLS FOR INTEGRATING FOOD AND NUTRITION WITHIN POVERTY ALLEIVIATION PROGRAMMES
A three-day Regional Ministerial Consultation on Food and Nutrition adopted The Delhi Declaration on Maternal and Child Nutrition in Asia. The Declaration emphasizes that reducing malnutrition is central to poverty reduction strategy. It calls for the need to mainstream nutrition into all aspects of poverty eradication programmes.
The Declaration contains 17 points of action by the participating countries. It calls upon the United Nations, National Governments, Non-Governmental organizations and private sector partners to focus on real change and support nutrition interventions in the region. "Solving nutritional problems requires political commitment and additional efforts and resources targeted at poor people", the Declaration says.
The Declaration calls for the need to focus on activities that prevent malnutrition of both mothers and children by assuring access to adequate and safe food for all households for a healthy and productive life. "Mother and child-centered investments are feasible, cost-effective and clearly underpin national economic growth. Many policy and programme instruments exist for preventing malnutrition, but to implement them it is essential to ensure outreach of services and resources to remote, rural areas where populations prone to malnutrition are concentrated."
SK/SPS/SB
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