Equalization and Universalization of Elementary Education Dr. Goutam Patra Govt. College of Education, Banipur, North 24 Paraganas, West Bengal, India

Concept 1.Inequality is a glaring consequence of imbalance of educational development and the progress of our country 2. Equalization in educational opportunity is to be served to the underprivileged for the improvement of their condition

Educational opportunity is to be provided to all irrespective of caste, creed, colour and religion Equalization and universalization create an egalitarian and ideal human society Exploitation is to be minimized

Importance of Equalization according to Kothari Commission-1964-66 It is needed for- The establishment of an egalitarian society The success of Democracy To ensure Social and Economic development To identify the talent in various fields To develop human resources To promote Social justice To minimize educational gap between privileged and under privileged class

Problems and causes of inequality Distance of Educational Institutions Poverty Standards of Educational Institutions Home Environment Gender Disparity Disparity between Advantaged and disadvantaged Regional Imbalances Lack of National system of Education

MEASURES TO BE TAKEN-NPE1986 Free , compulsory and Universal Primary and Elementary Education Different Curricula for Boys and Girls at Secondary stage Compensatory Education to Under Privileged Free and Fair Admission system Common School system Uniform Educational System Minimizing Regional Imbalances Adequate Attention to Girls

MEASURES Special Education of the Handicapped Education of the Disadvantaged Group/Backward Classes SCs/STs Free Education and Scholarship Residential Schools or Ashramic Schools Constitutional arrangement Article-29, 30, 45& 46 Proper Monitoring Public Schools should be brought under the Purview of Rules and Regulations Education for Women’s Equality

MEASURES Education of the Minorities Education for the Disabled Adult Education Scholarsip in Vocational Education Fare admission in IITs, Medical, Engineering, Agricultural, Polytechnics Colleges and it is Schloarship for Girls

UNIVERSALIZATION IN ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION Education for all Universal Enrolment in the age group of 6 to 14 years Checkout Dropout MLL(Minimum Level of Learning) Capacity Building Programme

PROBLEMS ACHIEVING UNIVERSALIZATION SOCIAL PROBLEMS: a) Apathy of Parents b) Conservative attitude towards co-education c)Over Population d) Early marriage ECONOMIC PROBLEMS Poverty of Parents Poor Nutrition of Children Poor Financial Provisions in the budget

POLITICAL PROBLEMS Vested Interest of the politicians Group rivalries of local bodies Politicization of education EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS Low enrolment of SC, ST OBCs Low enrolment of Disabled High rate Stagnation Defective Curriculum Uninspiring teaching methods Lack of competent teachers

Geographical problems Inaccessible areas Scattered population in hilly areas ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS Inequality in educational opportunity Lack of Women Teachers Lack of Effective Supervision Failure to enforce Compulsory education Lack of suitable admission policy Lack of suitable teaching Aids

MEASURES FOR UNIVERSALIZATION Universalization of provision Universalization of Enrolment Universalization of Retention Universalization of community participation Universalization of Achievement through MLL For EFA Emphasis on joyful learning Inservice Training Child centered Approach Community participation to achieve NEEM

VIEWS OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ‘If there is any land on this earth that can lay claim to be the blessed Punyabhumi (land of virtue)- the land where humanity has attained its highest towards generosity, towards purity, towards calmness, above all, the land of introspection and of spirituality-it is India’ Character building to solve inequality-- three things to make every man great-every nation great Conviction of the powers of goodness Absence of jealousy and suspicion Helping all who are trying to be and to do good

Views against Untouchability Views on Indian Womanhood- Sita the ideal character Women education Faith on One self Positive Education National Integration