EDUCATION COMMISSION 1964-66

(KOTHARI COMMISSION)

Chairman : Dr D.S.Kothari, the then Chairman of

University Grants Commission.

The third commission in post-independent India.

Government Resolution setting up the Education

Commission on July 14, 1964

began its task on October 2,1964 and submitted its report

to the Government on June 29,1966.

Report entitled- Education and National Development

17members in which 5 foreign experts from countries

such as USA, U.K, USSR, France and Japan.

FEATURES:1) It tried to cover every field and aspect of the entire

educational system.

2) Its firm belief that education is the most powerful

instrument of national development.

The opening sentence of the commission, the

destiny of India is being shaped in her classrooms,

denotes the value of education that determine the level of

prosperity, welfare and future of the country.

MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS 1) AIMS OF EDUCATION Education should be related to the life, needs and

aspirations of the people so that the national objectives may be achieved.

(a) Education for increasing productivity Make science education an integral part of school course. Work experience Vocational education to meet the needs of industry,

commerce, agriculture etc. Improvement of scientific and technical education and

research at the university stage.

(b) Education for social and national integration

Common school system

Social service programmes

Teaching of languages, literature, philosophy and history of

India.

(C) Education for modernization

Adopting new methods of teaching.

Proper development of intrinsic attitudes and values and building

essential skills like independent training.

Emphasizing teaching of vocational subjects and science.

(d) Development of Democracy

The success of democracy depends on the enlightened

citizenship and enlightened citizenship is based on the

education of the masses. Education is the most powerful

instrument to make the people aware of their rights and

responsibilities.

(e) Cultivation of social, moral and spiritual values

Education system should emphasize the development of

fundamental, social, moral and spiritual values.

The commission recommended the study of major religions of

the world.

2) EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE AND STANDARD General education should last for a period of 10 years.( 4 years

lower primary, 3 years of higher primary and 3 years of lower secondary education).

Prior to general education, pre-primary education should also be given.

The theme of higher secondary education should be fixed for 2 years.

After degree course there should be a post graduate course of three years. The graduate course should be extended from two to three years.

The number of instructional days in a year should be increased to about 234(39weeks) for schools and 216 (36 weeks)for colleges and pre-primary schools.

Holidays should be minimized. No need to close an educational institution on a religious holiday.

3) TEACHER STATUS

It is necessary to improve the economic, social and professional status of the teachers.

The scale of pay of teachers of Government and non- Government schools should be the same.

A State Board of Teachers’ Education should be established in each state.

The period of training of teachers with secondary course should be two years. The course of M.Ed should be 1-1/2 years.

The Teachers of the training colleges should have two degrees namely, the Master’s Degree and Degree in Education

The students of the training institutions should be given free education.

4) CURRICULUMLower Primary- One language: Mother tongue or

regional language. Mathematics, Study of environment, Creative activities, Work Experience, Health Education etc.

Higher Primary- Two languages: Mother tongue or regional language, Hindi or English.

Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Work Experience, Social Service, Physical Education, Education in moral and spiritual values etc.

Lower Secondary- Three languages: In non-Hindi speaking areas :Mother tongue or regional language, Hindi in higher or lower standard, English in higher or lower standard. In Hindi speaking areas: Mother tongue or regional language, English or Hindi, One modern Indian language besides Hindi.

Mathematics, Science, Art, Work Experience, Physical Education, Education of moral and spiritual values, Civics, History, Geography etc.

Higher Secondary-Any two languages, which should include any modern Indian language, any modern foreign language and any classical language.

Any three subjects to be selected from the following:One additional language, History, Geography, Economics,Logic, Psychology, Art, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Home

Science, Work Experience, Physical Education, Arts and Crafts, Education in moral and spiritual values etc.

OTHER MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS… Minimum scales of pay for teachers

Retirement age

Maximum utilisation of school facilities

College to be related to a number of schools

Free textbooks at the primary stage

Adequate number of scholarships

Residential facilities in schools

Education of the handicapped

Education of the backward classes

Freedom to schools for experimental curricula

Establishment of school complexes

The Indian Education Service

Co-curricular activities

Guidance and counselling

Evaluation