Question : RECOMMENDATION OF NKC ON PRIMARY EDUCATION

(a) whether the National Knowledge Commission has made any recommendation regarding the nature of enrolment in primary education; and

(b) if so, the details thereof;

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING (SHRI M.V.RAJASEKHARAN)

(a) to (b): The relevant extract of the Report to the Nation 2007 of the National Knowledge Commission, with regard to parts (a) to (b) of the question, is enclosed.

Extract
National Knowledge Commission
Report to the Nation 2007

Overview of Recommendations under Formulation

School Education
Complexity of the issues involved in School Education and their regional diversity necessitate consultations on a scale wider than any other work done by NKC. A series of workshops were therefore held around the country, addressing issues of quantity, quality, management and access in school education. A wide range of stakeholders were involved in the consultations, including representatives from the government and bureaucracy, school administrators, teachers, personnel from DIETs and SCERTs, educationists, NGO/civil society organizations and private education providers. At the end of an executive process of discussion and consultation, some of the key areas of intervention that have emerged are:

# Institutional reform within SSA and other central schemes to allow greater flexibility for the State and optimize learning outcomes.

# Streamlining the methodology of data collection to ensure timely access to reliable data, including data for tracking the average coverage of schools.

# A set of minimum requirements, norms and standards for all schools.

# Improvement and regulation of teacher training institutions, expansion and reform of in-service teacher training and creation of linkages with the university system, restoring dignity of school teaching as a profession, and simultaneously devising transparent systems for ensuring accountability of school teachers, setting up a a national portal for teachers to exchange ideas, information and experiences.

# Undertaking curricular reform in light of the National Curriculum Framework, 2005 to make it more flexible and relevant, and simultaneously change the examination system, especially at the board level, to reduce the pressure for rote-learning.

# Building infrastructure for new technologies, especially ICT, for cost- effective use of resources, innovative pedagogical strategies and wider exposure for students and teachers.

# Evolving special strategies to ensure greater access to school education in backward and remote locations, ensure greater enrolment of girls and students from marginalized social groups, and address special needs of laboring children, children of migrant workers and the differently abled.

# Expanding the National Literacy Mission and reorient its programme to address the intellectual, physical and emotional needs of those too old to benefit from the SSA.

# Enhancing the capacity of the private sector to make positive contributions.