Working Paper on Education (Relevant Extracts)
Education
Literacy: The literacy rate of Karnataka state as per 1991 census was 56% while as per socio-economic and educational survey conducted by the State Minorities Commission in1994 the literacy level obtaining among Muslims was 53% ...
Muslims with 85% of the minorities people are a drag on the average figure of minority literacy ... This demonstrates the need for greater participation of Muslim organisations in mass education programme of the government ... (They should) open total literacy centres and post-literacy centres with the help of the Government.
Primary Education: The general enrollment levels according to State Economic Survey 1998-99 for the year 1996-97 and the age group-wise details of children attending schools according to Minorities Survey are tabulated below:
Children in Primary Schools
Percentage of children of
All Communities Enrolled Muslims Attending Schools
Class I – IV 94.20 35
Class V – VII 74.95 36
The question, therefore, arises as to how to motivate particularly the weaker sections among Muslims to enroll, retain and educate their children in primary schools at least upto VIIth standard level ..
Nursery Schooling: ... Efforts should be made to prevail upon Government and concerned authorities to open Urdu Anganwadis/Balwadis in Muslim dominated areas, both urban and rural ... Private managements should open model nursery/play schools based on Montessori system etc, wherever such a target group is available in adequate numbers among Muslims ..
Awareness Campaign: ... One Jumma Khutaba in a month to be delivered by Imams of mosques should be on the benefits, opportunities and prospects of education ...
Local public should also carryout enrollment and literacy campaigns with maximum assistance (from the) Government ... Propaganda/persuasion campaign (should be carried out) on individual basis with families and collective basis in religious festivals, gatherings and Urs/ anniversary of saints etc.
Essential Inputs for Success of Primary Education: The following essential inputs ... are
recommended:) Textbooks, Uniforms in Urdu Primary Schools: Free textbooks and uniforms now being given to SC/ST students even in higher primary schools (V to VII) should cover Urdu Primary Schools also.
ii) Mid-day Meals Scheme: should be introduced, with and without Government, help in Urdu Primary Schools.
iii) Construction/repair of class room/water and toilet facilities. A fair share of Government funds earmarked should be given to Urdu Schools ...
iv) Supply of educational equipment (Audio Visual aids, colour TVs, Computers). A fair share should be allocated to Urdu Primary Schools by Government as recommended by State Minorities Commission.
v)Teachers should be appointed in time at the present scale of 1:40 Teacher: Pupil ratio. Particularly to teach Kannada, Urdu-knowing Kannada teachers may be appointed.
vi) School Betterment Committees should be reconstituted.
Non-Formal/Distance Education and Vocational Education: ... There is need to combine education with vocational education for certain segments of the society. Towards this there is need to open vocational education centres near schools/community halls, or other public places in slums and predominantly Muslim villages to teach (dropouts) skills like masonry, carpentry, wiring, mechanics, plumbing, tailoring etc ... These centres should have literacy classes for 2 hours a day (even evening) ... Such centres could enroll their students-cum-helpers in distance education centres under open school schemes of the Government ...
Secondary Education: In High School age group viz., 14-16 years 24% of Muslim children were in schools; whereas the corresponding percentage for other minorities was high ... The following recommendations are made: Quantity: Towards increasing enrollment awareness campaign is recommended ... Here also vocationalisation will greatly help ...
Quality: ... Audio visual aids, computers with Internet etc. ... may be obtained from the Government as well as from the Muslim public ... Incentive awards for rank holders in each class and scholarships to bright poor students may be held out.
Recommendations for all Levels of Education Remedial Classes: Some remedial classes may be taken ... out of school hours. Teachers may be remunerated for the same.
Knowledge of Kannada and English: ... It is noted that third language as Urdu is not there in Government syllabus for school education ... It is recommended to Government that Urdu, in addition to Kannada and English as first and second language status may be accorded third language status ...
Residential Schools: ... Private managements should ... open at least one residential school of highest standards in each district following ICSE syllabus.
Residential Polytechnics/ITI's/Vocational Centres for Certificate Courses: There is need to open at least one such institution on a residential basis in each district.
Higher Education: All the Urdu-medium and Muslim managed secondary schools should be converted into pre-university (10+2) colleges, attached with vocational education courses.
All Muslim managed degree colleges of Arts, Science and Commerce should be run efficiently and offerremedial classes. Students should be guided to take appropriate private coaching as is happening in the case of Brahmin managed institutions ... These colleges should consider offering new courses like molecular biology, biotechnology, industrial sociology, genetic engineering ete. to meet rising demands ..
Career Guidance, Coaching for Competitive Exam: In every institution ... run by the community career guidance bureaus should be opened ... In addition coaching both for common Entrance Test for admission to (1) Engineering (ii) Medicine (iii) all other professional courses including IITs and for Competitive examinations for services ... should be opened in all degree colleges.
Muslim Representation In AICTE, IMC, IDC etc .: In all state and India bodies constituted for according permission/recognition to professional colleges, P.G. courses etc. there should be a Muslim member .. Muslim Members on Recruitment Panels of Universities: A Muslim member may be invariably included in the recruitment panels for all teaching andnon-teaching staff.
Madrasa Education: In all Madrasas run in local mosques at least general education upto IV standard may be given along with study of Arabic etc. Central and/or Siate funds earmarked for Madrasa Education may be obtained. In religious institutions training the clergy along with religious knowledge general education at least upto degree level may be imparted. This can be organised through distance education ..
Moral Instructions: In all institutions run by the community, at least one hour a week should be devoted for moral instructions. A uniform syllabus could be drafted for this purpose.
Hostels: All available government funds for starting hostels .. should. be fully availed of ... Private people, trusts, etc, should put up hostels in other places ..
Scholarships: Maximum possible help from government scholarships should be taken. Private endowments, trusts etc. also should extend scholarships to needy and deserving students.
Meritorious students should be given financial awards for high attainments in PUC. Engineering, Medicine P.G. courses etc.
Loans from Banks: ... Banks are extending loans to students. The students who get selected ... should be helped to secure bank loans.
Financial Resources: .. Funds ... should be mobilised in the following ways:
i) Contributions including Zakat
ii) Government programmes
iii) About 20% of Wakf Development Fund
iv) Contributions from the Corporate Sector
Confederation of All Muslim Organisations in the Human Resource Development Sector: All organisations working in the field of education .... should have a state level Confederation for human resource development to plan, coordinate and execute development plans ...
English Medium Schools: ... The Government of Karnataka should allow private managements to open English medium schools at their own cost ...
Women's Education: Due importance should be given to women's education. It appeals to parents to ensure that the education of a girl child is given as much importance as a boy ... Managements should open schools, polytechnics, colleges, etc., exclusively for women and
Women's Hostels.
Islamic Studies: In the Universities Islamic Studies/ West Asian Studies may be introduced ...
