Universalizing Secondary Education

By Subhash C. Khuntia

Secondary Education occupies a crucial stage in the educational hierarchy as it prepares the students for higher education and also to face the challenges of life at large. Besides moulding the personality traits, this stage of education also enhances individual level of productivity. The remarkable growth of enrolment in elementary education and improvement in retention rate over the past few years, particularly among more disadvantageous sections of society, have dramatically shifted the focus to the Secondary Education sector in the country.

While pressure on Secondary Education is already being felt due to the success of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Universalisation of Elementary Education ), India’s impressive and sustained economic growth has worked as an impetus for increased demand for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. Added to this is the increased awareness about the role of Secondary Education, in particular for the girl child, in reinforcing positive social outcomes. There is a growing realization of the desirability to universalize access to secondary education leading to greater opportunity for participation to all. In other words, the challenge today is how to drastically improve the reach and quality of Secondary Education. Keeping in view the rapid growth of Indian economy, the demographic advantage that India enjoys, the centrality of education in social and economic development, and the role of education in poverty reduction, an all out emphasis on education is visible in the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-08 to 2011-12) which has an allocation of Rs. 2,89,000 crore for Education constituting 19.4% of the total plan size. This is a steep increase from the share of 7.7% in the 10th Plan. With a view to achieve the goal of universalisation of access to secondary education while improving quality in a phased and sustained manner, the allocation for the Secondary Education sector for the 11th five year plan has been pegged at Rs. 53,550 crore, which reflects a quantum jump from the 10th Five year plan allocation of Rs. 4, 325 crore. This twelve fold increase brings within its fold a series of new schemes besides revising existing schemes making their design, intervention and coverage wider and more focused. The importance accorded to secondary education can be gauged from the fact that it occupies a share of 19.9% of the total Central Plan allocation to the education sector in the 11th Plan as compared to only 9.9% in the 10th Plan.

In all, there are eight important schemes being rolled out in the Secondary Education sector alone, during the 11th Plan, making it one of the most active, dynamic and happening sectors. The new schemes that have already been rolled out, or in the pipeline are: (1) Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, (2) Model Schools, (3) National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship, (4) Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education, (5) Girls’ Hostel (6) ICT in Schools, (7) Inclusive Education for the Disabled Children and (8) Vocationalization of Secondary Education. These schemes, individually as well as collectively, address issues connected with access, equity and quality in the entire gamut of Secondary Education sector.

Gender disparity in secondary education is a cause of concern. In 2005-06, the enrolment ratio for girls in the secondary stage was 46.23% as against the figure of 57.72% for boys. Similarly, the drop-out rate for girls from class I to X was 73.7% as against 68% for boys. The disparity in case of SC/ST girls is even more alarming with the enrolment for ST girls at a lowly 32.6% and drop-out rate at a high of 79.8%. In this background, the Central Government has launched a centrally sponsored scheme to encourage higher participation of girls. Under the scheme, a sum of Rs. 3000 will be deposited in the names of all SC/ST girls and also all girls who have studied in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, who pass class VIII and enrol for class IX in Government and Government-aided schools. The amount with interest will be payable to the girls after they reach the age of 18 provided they complete at least class X successfully.

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children was launched in 1974 with a view to provide educational opportunities to children with mild to moderate disability in common schools and facilitate their retention in the school system. Under the scheme, disabled children receive allowances for books & stationery, uniform, equipment (assistive aids), transport, readers, escorts, and boarding and lodging. The scheme also provides for appointment of special teachers, attendants for severely orthopaedically handicapped children, removal of architectural barriers and production of relevant instructional material. 2.84 lakh disabled children were covered under this scheme in 28 States/UTs during the Xth Plan. Over 200 NGOs were engaged in implementing the scheme. At the end of the 2007-08, 3.6 lakh disabled children were covered in 31 States/UTs with an expenditure of Rs.76.11 crore in 2007-08. Steps have been initiated for launching a new scheme of "Inclusive Education of the Disabled at Secondary Stage" so as to shift the focus from integration to inclusion, and a no rejection policy in the schools.

All expenses on boarding and lodging of students of JNVs as well as expenses on their uniform, stationery etc. are borne through support from the Central Government. It has been decided to open 20 new Vidyalayas in districts having large concentration of SC and ST population so as to give a boost to education of meritorious SC/ST children. National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), another autonomous organization under the Ministry of HRD provides opportunity to those outside the formal school system to learn through distance education mode. The Central Government also encourages State Governments to open their own State Open Schools. Besides conventional curriculum for various stages of school education till higher secondary level, the National Open School also offers a variety of vocational courses of practical utility. With the advent of knowledge economy and its attendant requirement of skill and attitude, the importance of secondary education can not be over stressed. The Central Government, in partnership with State Governments has chalked out a blue print to enhance access to quality secondary education while ensuring equity. (PIB)

A view point
The Amarnath land row

By Prof Narinder Singh

Congress-PDP coalition Government came to power in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 2002. Although less in numbers, the PDP got the coveted post of Chief Ministership for its patron Mufti Mohd. Sayeed, Mehbooba Mufti was mainly responsible for securing the top post for her father through hectic lobbying in political circles both at the State and Central levels. As per the established rules of coaltion politics, Congress deserved the Chief Ministership, being the senior partner.

Under the power sharing agreement Mufti Mohd Sayeed had to handover Chief Ministership to Congress after three years. He, during his tenure as the head of the Govt, was very comfortable with the Congress leadership in the State and its bosses in Delhi. There was hardly any problem between PDP and Congress and both enjoyed the fruits of power quite comfortably. Mufti Mohd Sayeed fitted himself very cleverly and sensibly in the general peace process initiated by India and Pakistan over the problem of Kashmir. He hardly gave to the Congress led Govt in Delhi any chance of worry regarding the State of J&K at large. But one thing of significance in his regime was that he tried to emerge as a dream merchant for pro-Pakistan and separatist audience in the valley. In his utterances, he raised many funny issues which not only appealed to people working against Indian interest in the State but also received instant backing across the border. Firstly, he came out with the idea of self rule. This was followed by the proposals of troops withdrawal and demilitarization, withdrawal of security forces special powers act and joint control of the state by India and Pakistan. These proposals were received very favourly by elements harbouring hatred against India. Ironically, those in power in Delhi hardly took any notice of these motivated and calculated ideas of Mufti Mohd. Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti. Whenever any one of them visited Delhi, he or she was received very warmly by Sonia Gandhi, the Congress president and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

When the day came near for the transfer of power to Congress under the power sharing agreement. Father-Daughter duo of Mufti and Mehbooba became nervous. They desperately wanted to retain Chief Ministership. The Congress party was in two minds- whether to grab the top post at once or to allow Mufti to retain Chief Ministership for a few months more. The leadership was under pressure from party cadre to capture Chief Ministership as it would, according to them, strengthen the party and any delay will harm the party interests. It was under these circumstances that Mufti Mohd Sayeed was asked to handover the Chief Ministership to Mr Gulam Nabi Azad. Initially Mr Azad was not willing to head the Govt in J&K because he had lived in the greener pastures of Delhi and had no intention of fishing in the troubled waters of the State but he was presuaded to accept the top post by the Central leadership.

Mufti Mohd Sayeed handed over power to Mr Azad with a very heavy heart. More than her father, Mehbooba Mufti was greatly upset by this development. Mr Azad was Chief Minister of the State for thirty months. It will not be an exaggeration to say that this was a period of great turmoil in his political life. Father-Daughter duo of PDP did everything to unsettle Mr Azad. Although a partner in Govt PDP leadership was working on two fronts. On the one hand it continued with the programme of playing with the sentiments of people of Kashmir by flooding them with ideas which were detrimental to the national interest and which also appealed to the separatists, on the other hand it did not leave any stone unturned to make the life of Mr Azad miserable. Gulam Nabi Azad as Chief Minister had to face two oppositions- PDP from inside and National Conference from outside. PDP was very cleverly busy in wrecking the Govt by giving new ideas like dual currency which were warmly received by pro-Pak elements. All these things were happening under the nose of centre, which never woke up from its deep slumber.

It was under these circumstances that problem of land transfer to Shri Amar Nath Shrine Board (SASB) cropped up. On the recommendation of SEN Committee, the State Cabinet took the decision of leasing the land to SASB for making pre-fabricated structures so that pilgrimage could be done in a smooth manner. PDP and its ministers were party to this land deal. But perhaps this was done for an ulterior motive. In accordance with a well planned act of treachery and betrayal, they washed their hands of the whole matter. Firstly, Muzaffar Baig Hussain, Deputy Chief Minister came out with tirade against then office of Governor and the Mehbooba Mufti threatened to withdraw support to the Azad Govt by 30th June, 2008 if the order of transfer of land to SASB was not taken back. It was very amusing to see Mehbooba Mufti showing innocence regarding the Govt order for land transfer and blaming Mr Azad for everything. She was also seen portraying Mufti Mohd Sayeed as a champion of rights of Kashmiri people and a person who was, from the very beginning against the land transfer to SASB. She was forgetting that many people watching her on TV interviews were carrying heads on their shoulders and had enough intelligence to see through her game plan of building a strong vote bank in the valley.

Meanwhile, many Kashmiri youth who were carried away by the cleverly conceived ideas of Mufti- Mehbooba duo took to the streets of Srinagar. They protested against the land transfer and also raised pro-Azadi and anti-India slogans. They went to the extent of hoisting Pakistani flag in the historic Lal Chowk. In yet another clever move, Mehbooba Mufti announced the withdrawal of PDP support to Azad Govt on 28th June without waiting for the deadline of 30th June earlier set by her. Through this act, Mehbooba tried to show that she was terribly upset by the death of a few protestors. As a matter of fact she wanted to project herself as chief spokesperson of fundamentalist and anti-Indian forces in the valley in a concealed way obviously with an eye on the coming elections. Withdrawal of support by PDP led to the fall of Azad Government. But before resigning, Mr Azad made it a point to withdraw the Govt order of leasing land to SASB in order to appease Kashmiri protestors without caring for its ramifications in Jammu. There was jubiliation in the separatist camp and Mr Geelani gave a call to all anti-Indian elements to reach Jama Masjid the next day to offer Namaz-e-Shukrana.

A thing of significance in the whole land deal to SASB was that along with all separatist organization in the Kashmir valley, the so called main stream political parties including PDP and National Conference tried to outwit each other in arousing the passions of Kashmiri youth and tried to project themselves as the champions of Kashmiri cause. These mainstream political parties were desperate to create conditions in the valley which were highly favourable to them in the coming elections without caring a fig about the fallout of their pronouncements in Jammu. No sensible Kashmiri leader among the mainstream political parties had the moral courage to tell the anti-land deal protestors in the valley that Article 370 was in no way violated and no outside agency was involved in the matter. Instead rumours were floated that demography of Kashmir valley was being changed and India wanted to create Israel on the land given to SASB.

The important thing here is that all steps have to be taken to address the situation. Talks with Sangarsh Samiti must continue and efforts should be made to bring the people spearheading the agitation on the negotiating table. Sangarsh Samiti is not asking for the moon, what they want is the restoration of land at Baltal meant to facilitate the pilgrimage during the yatra period. More importantly given the security situation in the whole country the UPA Govt without loosing time must take steps to strengthen the nationalistic forces not only in the State but in the whole country.

Building national character

By C L Kandley

Together with power a true worker gets Independence, having heart of Nationality and Patriotism. He becomes a true citizen of a nation. He has self confidence and walk erect. Activity for the sake of nation is a necessity for existence and useful in the object of life. A man has to exercise his abilities. Nature is very economical. A man possesses two kinds of works i.e. willing work and enforced slavery or voluntary work and no slavish work. A person who works for money have no love is only a slave. "Less work and more pays" is the cry of slaves. On the other hand a man who is selfishness devoted to his work for the sake of nation possessing nationality and patriotism. The influence and usefulness of such person. He gets the real reward. One who expects pays or reward without puttings in equivalent in work is often disappointed in the end. To secure well being or betterment of an individual as well as of the mankind is an example of nationality. Also, possesses the positive mind with constructive one, such persons of the nation are proud for a country. Such persons leads themselves an independent life and does not become a parasite or dependent. Being independent, he leads an honourable life. They should utilise their ability for the nation. A nation does not want that her citizen with physical and mental gifts to lie unused and become rusted. She wants us to use them so they may remain bright and sharp. Nation provides his each citizen an opportunity an scope for utilising it. A true nationalist has an imaginative and ambitious mind with records of achievements. For such patriots, the field is ready to be plough and sowed to bear a ripe crop. The sea allows ship to sail on it.

A sea-port is ready to receive the exports or imports. When a citizen is co-operative nation has wide lapse. She rewards every true citizen according to his care, efficiency and willingness. Also respects those who respects themselves. The persons who are incapacitated or disabled with destructive minds, selfish, with own interests in politics or nonpolitical organizations are more dangerous for themselves, and also for the nation a burden and abuse to her, who harm. Such people deprive themselves and become slave-like, a nation can't spare such people, who take shelter and eat on their own respectable soil forget the sympathys and lapse of mother soil. We should beware of such persons those are like a slow poison to the society, become communal and narrow minded havings no patriotism. These people bifurcate society, become the internal threat to a nation economy also. In the end a slavish person is reduced to beggary and disgrace. He leads a shameless existence also forget nationality. Nobody respects them but remain satisfied in their own periphery. On the contrary he is hated and neglected by every-body. A true citizen gets independence and honour in life. He is loved and praised and needed by others. In short term material prosperity cannot ensure the well being of a nation. It is the high character of its citizens based on their mental and spiritual values which can brings about their well being. Its real progress and happiness also depend upon moral and spiritual standard of the people. Actual development surely lead to the prosperity of nation and peace in the world. They form the quickest and surest way to achieve success also in higher nobler peace spheres.

"The path of duty is the path to glory. Again addressing, duty he wrote, flowers laugh before thee' (duty) on their bed, and Fragrance in they footings treads."

A true citizen or national soldier who sacrifice for the nation, these people do not die but remain remembrable leavings behind their foot prints for the others who get the fruit of independence. We salute such dignities. On 15 August 1947 India was freed from the brutal clutches of the British rule after a great struggle by the freedom leaders "Mahatma Gandhi" along with his followers. British rule had weekened India socially, politically, morally and economically beings a gold sparrow. British rule tried to crush the Indians but Bapu ji was a luminous candle in darkness. He awanked the very Indian and taught Indians are not coward, they possess the ability and ability to fight every crisis of the world which was a tonic for every Indian and proved the potential. Gandhi Ji believed in "Ahimsa" which was practical throughout India. It was a war of justification against brutality without bullets and weapons by the Indians with unity and integrity with communal harmony and secularity. At last there was a lot of bloodshed many sacrified their lives for great India. Shubash Chander Bose stated, "if one donates blood for his nation, that nation will give you independence." British brutality hanged many freedom fighters. Like S. Bhagat Singh and S. Sukhdev Guru and their followers. India divided by the Britishers and succeeded in his "divide and rule policy." Ultimately back bone of British Govt was broken, dashed to ground and fled away. India was deserving for her success and got Independence. 15 August, 1947 day remembered and solute those who sacrificed their lives, every year.