Maharashtra Board Class 12 Education Chapter 2 Education in Post Independence India PDF Download

Education in Post-Independence India

2.1 Main Education Commissions in the Post-Independence Period

On August 15, 1947 India gained independence from the British Rule. Education became a priority of Indian government after independence. The constitution came into force on 26th January 1950 and India became a Republic and functional under the guidelines of the constitution. In 1976, under constitutional amendment, education included as a subject in concurrent list and it became the responsibility of both Center and States. After independence many education commissions were formed, educational policies were framed and curriculum frameworks were made. The recommendations given by these commissions were implemented. In this chapter, we are going to study some important commissions, policies, curricular frameworks and Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

2.1.1 University Education Commission (1948-49)

Background Of University Education Commission

The curriculum which was taught in universities and colleges in India before independence was not suited to the Indian societal structure. Only examinations and degrees mattered more. This kind of education was not able to address to the needs, and problems faced by the country. This emphasized the need to reframe Indian Higher Education system after independence which would help to reconstruct the societal structure and help build the skilled manpower required for the country's progress.

The Indian government appointed the University Education Commission under the Chairmanship of Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan on 4th November 1948 to reconstruct the Education in Independent India.

In the University Education Commission, there were a total of ten members including Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. Shri. Nirmal Kumar Siddhanta was appointed as Secretary of this Commission.

Major Objectives Of University Education Commission

To set the goals and objectives of university education and research in India.

To suggest measures to ensure transparency of admission procedures to university courses.

To prepare the framework of the qualifications, terms of service, salary and scope of work of university teachers.

To suggest appropriate provisions with respect to students, students' welfare, hostel facilities, discipline and students' development in the jurisdiction of university.

To provide guidance for maintaining high quality of teaching and examination in universities and its affiliated colleges.

Teacher's Note

After independence, India needed better universities to make the country strong. Dr. Radhakrishnan helped fix university education like how a principal makes a school better.

Exam Trick

Remember: Radhakrishnan = 1948 = University Education Commission. This was the first big education commission after independence.

Points to Remember

Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan was the chairman of this commission in 1948.
This commission had ten members.
It made rules for university teachers and exams.
It said students need good hostels and libraries.
It wanted to improve higher education in India.

2.1.2 Secondary Education Commission (1952-53)

Background Of Secondary Education Commission

After independence, the social situation in the country changed rapidly. But there was absence of any correlation between changing situation and the education which was being provided at that time. There was no reflection of this changed social situation and political and national affairs in the secondary education. Secondary education had to be improved in order to improve the higher education. Therefore, in 1948, in a meeting of Central Advisory Board of Education, after thorough discussion, it was proposed that a separate commission should be set up for secondary education. A committee was set up by the government to study this proposed commission under the chairmanship of Dr. Tarachand. In 1949, the commission submitted the report to Central Advisory Board of Education. As per the report, a Secondary Education Commission was set up under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor of Madras University Dr. A. Laxmanswami Mudliyar on 23rd September 1952.

Secondary Education Commission consisted of 10 members along with Dr. Mudaliyar. Principal A.N. Basu was appointed as the member secretary of the commission while Dr. S. M. S. Chari was appointed as Assistant Secretary of the Commission.

Major Objectives Of The Secondary Education Commission

To study the Secondary Education comprehensively in all its perspectives.

To restructure and improve the secondary education.

To think about the objectives, management and content knowledge of secondary education.

To connect secondary education with primary and higher education.

To create a uniform system of secondary education for the entire nation considering the problems of secondary education.

Major Recommendations Given By Secondary Education Commission

Establish Multipurpose Schools which will offer diversified curriculum according to the interests of the students.

Government should provide trained guidance officers and vocational guidance services in all educational institutes.

Public schools, residential schools should be established.

A curriculum based on vocational skill development should be framed which would inculcate the value 'Dignity of Labour' in students.

Encourage students to choose technical and vocational courses and to complete them.

The examination system should be followed for evaluation of students.

The medium of instruction for secondary level education should be the mother tongue or the regional language of the state.

Activity or experimentation based methods should be used in teaching.

Teacher's Note

This commission said schools should teach skills like carpentry and farming. In India today, many schools teach vocational training because of this commission's ideas.

Exam Trick

Remember: Mudliyar Commission = 1952 = Secondary Education. The name "Multipurpose School" comes from this commission's main idea.

Points to Remember

Dr. A. Laxmanswami Mudliyar chaired this commission in 1952.
It wanted schools to teach skills like farming and building.
It said students should learn in their mother tongue.
It suggested teaching by doing experiments, not just lectures.
It pushed for schools to be residential or public schools.

2.1.3 Indian Education Commission (1964-66)

Background Of The Indian Education Commission

To achieve development of education at national level, various levels of education and departments should be thought integratively. To achieve this, Government of India formed Indian Education Commission under the chairmanship of Dr. Daulat Singh Kothari on 14th July 1964.

There were a total of seventeen members along with Dr. Daulat Singh Kothari in Indian Education Commission. Shri. J. P. Naik was the Member Secretary of the Commission.

The draft report of the commission prepared by educationist J. P. Naik was very apt and effective. The first sentence of this report 'The destiny of India is now being shaped in her classrooms' is a very popular quote everywhere.

Major Objectives Of Indian Education Commission

To make recommendations on restructuring of education.

To provide guidance related to the school admission, evaluation scheme, interrelation between education and local community, curriculum and textbook etc.

To give directions related to classroom teaching and teaching methods.

To suggest recommendations regarding religious and moral education.

To provide guidance to schools related to importance of subjects, work experience and social service.

To recommend regarding co-curricular activities at school and college level.

Major Recommendations Given By Indian Education Commission

Curriculum at pre-primary level should include various games, educational processes and activity based programmes.

Textbooks and educational material should be given free of cost in primary schools.

There should be a separate and autonomous mechanism for production of quality textbooks.

At upper primary level, in addition to written examination, there should be an oral examination and internal evaluation.

Vocational education should form large portion of secondary education.

Mathematics and science should be made compulsory at the secondary level.

The curriculum should include social service, work experience and Arts.

Students of standard 8th to 10th should know three languages (mother tongue, national language (Rashtrabhasha) and English).

For evaluation, the State Board of Examination should conduct external examinations and award certificates.

Teacher's Note

This commission said the famous line "The destiny of India is now being shaped in her classrooms." It means what children learn in school decides India's future. This is still true today.

Exam Trick

Remember: Kothari Commission = 1964 = "Destiny of India shaped in classrooms." This famous quote will help you remember this commission easily.

Points to Remember

Dr. Daulat Singh Kothari led this commission in 1964.
J. P. Naik wrote the report and said the famous "destiny" line.
It said textbooks should be free in primary schools.
It wanted students to learn three languages in classes 8 to 10.
It pushed for Math and Science to be compulsory subjects.

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