EDUCATION

Government Statements

On Education in Mother Tongue

The policy of the Government, in regard to medium of instruction at the primary stage is set out in Article 350 A of the Constitution and the National Policy on Education, 1986.

The National Policy on Education was developed in association with State Governments and after due consideration, by Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE) and National Development Council.

 (Source: LSUQ No. 1407 dated 12 December, 1995 by G. Devi & R Ray)

On Language Teachers in Kendriya Vidyalayas

As per information furnished by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan the number of posts of language teachers sanctioned as on 31.10.1995 are given below:-

Language         PGT                 TGT

Hindi                  956                 1940

English              984                  2100

Sanskrit             53                    972

Media of instruction in all Kendriya Vidyalayas are English and Hindi.

(Source: LSUQ No. 2371 dated 12.12.1995 by 5. Shahabuddin)

Shahabuddin on Educational Rights of Linguistic Minorities.

Letter to Minister of Human Resource Development Scindia, 18 December, 1995

May I draw your attention to three replies on the question of language teaching by your Ministry Nos. LSUQ 2371, 2403 and 2407.

It has been stated that the Three Language Formula is being implemented practically all over the country with the exception of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. The Three Language Formula should include the mother tongue.

In one of the replies reference has been made to Article 350 of the Constitution which provides for mother tongue as the medium for primary institutions. However, in the first reply it has been mentioned that the Kendriya Vidyalayas has language teachers only in three languages, namely, Hindi, English and Sanskrit. Thus the position is that either the Kendriya Vidyalayas do not admit children whose mother tongue is other than Hindi or English or they are violating the Constitution by not providing instruction in the mother tongue of non-English/Hindi speaking children.

I would be grateful to know the correct position and urge that under no circumstances should the Constitution be violated in letter or in spirit.

On Expenditure on Education

The Total Revenue Expenditure on education by Education Departments of Centre and States in 1993-94 (RE) is about 3.5 per cent of GNP.

While there is no international norm, India's expenditure on education as percentage of GNP compares favorably with other developing countries.

Faster economic growth coupled with restructuring of Central and State budgets would enable achieving the goal of raising public outlay on education to 6% of GNP. (Source: LSUQ No.316 dated 28.11.1995 by S. Jena & R. Kumar)

On Hindi University

The main objective of the proposal of setting up of the Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya at Wardha is promotion and development of Hindi language and literature, through teaching and research, with a view to enabling Hindi to achieve greater functional efficiency and recognition as a major international language.

The non-recurring expenditure on the establishment of the University is estimated at Rs. 30 crores during the Eighth and Ninth Plan periods. The estimated recurring expenditure would be Rs. 10 crores per annum after the University becomes functional.

A bill to establish and incorporate the proposed University has already been introduced in the Rajya Sabha. (LSUQ No, 2357 dated 12 DecembeP, 1995 by R.S. Rawat)

On Educational Development for Minority Students

In pursuance of the Programme of Action, 1992 the Central Schemes of Area Intensive Programme for Educationally Backward Minorities and Modernization of Madarsa Education were launched during 1993-94.

Under the above-mentioned schemes, no grants have yet been released to Government of Bihar for want of suitable proposals from them.

(Source: LSUQ No. 290 dated 28 November, 1995 by V.K. Yadav)

On Promotion & Development of Languages Expenditure on Promotion and Development of Languages from 1992-93 to 31.10.1995 (Plan).

                                                         (Rs. in Lakhs)

Language                                            Amount

Hindi                                                         2157.22

English                                                       277.78

Modern Indian Languages                      

(15 Languages including Urdu)                 595.23

Sanskrit                                                    1913.88

Arabic and Persian                                       44.83

(Source: LSUQ No.1363 dated 5 December, 1995 by R.P. Patel),