January 23, 2002

   The Government proposes to start the planning process for universalisation of secondary education at the earliest. The Minister for Human Resource Development Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi said efforts in this direction cannot be delayed for long, as the focus will shift to this with the realisation of the goals of universalisation of primary education. This really would mean a significant increase in enrolment at the secondary school level, which will warrant a reasonable infrastructure and support systems. Dr. Joshi was inaugurating here today an International Conference on "Planning Strategies for Universalising Quality Secondary Education", organised by Council of Boards of School Education in India in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education and the National Council of Education Research and Training.

    The Minister said that secondary education has an important place in our educational system as it is the cross-road where many students make their educational choice for onward mobility. It facilitates occupational and social mobility. For a majority of population, secondary education is terminal in a formal learning system. There is a need to renew and diversify its area. This should include expansion and diversification of delivery systems to accommodate openness and flexibility to meet increased enrollments and cater to diversified learning needs. There is also a need for comparative analysis and renewal of different curricula and teaching/learning materials. New teaching methods have to be developed which will focus on integrating various curricular elements. Quality improvement of education through decentralisation, autonomy and supporting private initiatives with built-in accountability is essential, Dr. Joshi said.

    The Minister urged the conference to address the important issue of Content that should go to making a school curriculum. While each country should address the core issues in the curriculum, care should be taken to provide for local sensitivity. Inculcation of life skills in the curriculum is vital to the growth of the students. Teachers need to be involved more in curriculum development and their insight be taken into account in the formulation of curricular objectives. Dr. Joshi also urged the conference to make a concerted effort to develop strategies for promoting better quality in terms of learning environments, teaching/learning processes and learning outcomes to bring forward a body of learners who are autonomous and equipped to independently handle life-long learning at various stages of life.