Universalization of Education B.Ed Notes

UNIVERSALIZATION OF EDUCATION

The meaning of any word in contextual. When primary education was made free and compulsory in England, the problem before them was to make this education available to every child in the target age group. For this they used the word universalization. At present, however, the word universalization of free and compulsory education has somewhat broad connotation.

Article 45 of the Constitution of our country States- "The State shall endeavour to provide within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution for the free and compulsory education of all children until they complete the age of 14 years."

Here, education of children till the age of 14 years, refers to the education from class I to class VIII for the children in the age group 6 to 14 years.

But making free and compulsory education universally accessible holds no meaning until and unless there is cent percent enrolment of children in the appropriate age group and the cent percent enrolment of the children holds no meaning until and unless there is cent percent retention of children enrolled in it and cent percent retention holds no meaning until and unless cent percent children complete this education and succeed in it.

From this point of view, universalization of free and compulsory elementary education in India means:

 

1. Cent Percent Opportunity or Universal Access : Making education from class I to class VIII accessible to the cent percent children in the age group 6-14 years.

2. Cent Percent Enrolment or Universal Enrolment: Ensuring cent percent enrolment of children, class I to class VIII in the age group 6 to 14 years.

3. Cent Percent Retention or Universal Retention : Retaining these cent percent children in the schools and not allowing them to leave schools in between.

4. Cent Percent Success or Universal Achievement : To ensure cent percent success of these students upto class VIII

The first aspect of universalization of elementary education is - to make education from class I to class VIII universally accessible to cent percent children in the age group 6-14 years, but our Government is yet to achive it. It is in itself a problem in the field of elementary education.

As per the claim of the Central Government, by the end of 2011, 99% children in the age group 6 to 11 years were provided the opportunity of elementary education and 90% children in the age group 11 to 14 years were provided the opportunity of upper elementary education.

Whereas the Government data also show that at present there are about 4 crore children in the age group 6 to 14 years who are not getting elementary education. Out of these 4 crore children 2 crore children are those who are not enrolled and 2 crore children were those who had left schools in between.

On the other hand, in 2011 the population of our country crossed 120 million and is increasing at a tremendous speed at present. Therefore a large number of primary and upper primary schools will be needed in future

 

The second aspect of universalization of elementary education is—to ensure cent percent enrolment of children from class I to class VII in the age group 6-14 years.

In this context the condition of our country is very trivial; at some places where children are eager to take admission, schools do not exist, and places where school exist-cent percent children do not take admission in them or their parents do not get them enrolled in schools.

This is in itself a problem, at present, specially in the context of the enrolment o the girls and children of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and muslims.

The Government data of 2011 show that even in regions where primary schools existed only 90% children enrolled themselves in elementary education.

The third aspect of universalization of elementary education is—the cent percent retention of children from class I to class VIII in the age group 6-14 years i.e., to prevent them from leaving education in between. And at present the drop out rate from class I to class VIII is about 35%. It means only 70% of the total students enrolled in class I reaches class IX. In educational terminology it is termed as wastage.

The fourth and the last aspect of universalization of elementary education is to get every child, in the age group 6-14 years, complete elementary education within the stipulated time period i.e., to get them pass class VII. But, the reality at present is that nearly 20 percent children do not complete their education within the stipulated time frame. They take more than 8 years to complete elementary education curriculum of 8 years. In educational terminology it is termed as stagnation.

Causes of Non-Universalization of Elementary Education in India

 

There are four aspects of universalization of elementary education. The first aspect is--to make education from class I to class VII accessible to cent percent children in the age group 6-14 years. But, we have failed to accomplish it till now. The main reason

are

(1) The first cause is the lack of resources.

It was declared in the National Education Policy, 1986 to spend 6% of the budget on education but about 4% only is spent on education.

(2) The second cause is that even this meagre resource is not properly utilized.

More than half of the money allotted in the plan budget for the expansion and upliftment of elementary education is siphoned off by corrupt individuals.

Corruption has become all pervasive in society

(3) The third cause is the lack of public cooperation.

In the name of public cooperation most institutions resort to public exploitation.

They open schools generally in those areas where they expect good return or benefit Institutions organising free education are few in number.

(4) The geographical conditions of our country are also a hindrance to this.

Establishment and functioning of schools in small hutments located in distant and hilly, desert and forest regions is a very difficult task

(5) Last but not least is the fast growing population of our country.

The more the schools and opened the more their demand grow.

 

The second aspect of universalization of elementary education-cent percent enrolment i.e, admission of children in the age group 6-14 years. The condition at present is that almost 5% children do not take admission in class I, even in those places where schools are available. Its main reasons are :

(1) Lack of strict implementation of Right of Education Act, 2009.

(2) Schools are devoid of resources and they are dull and unattractive.

(3) Lack of teachers in schools, even those who are appointed remain absent.

(4) Fourth reason is poverty, children from poor families remain busy either in household chores or working in the fields or doing some jobs of labour.

(5) Fifth reason is illiteracy and backwardness. There are many families in which education has no significance and some of them are such where the education of girls is considered unnecessary.

The third aspect of universalization of elementary education is cent percent retention of children in schools. The condition is that even at present the drop out rate is about 30%. The main reasons for the problem are :

(1) The first reason is the lack of strict implementation of Right to Education Act 2009.

(2) The second reason is the lack of building, furniture, teaching aids and teachers and the absence of devotion and honesty among the teachers towards their work.

 

(3) The third reason is the extensive and burden some curriculum and emphasis on bookish knowledge.

(4) The fourth reason is the loose administrative system.

(5) The fifth and the most important reason is the poverty, illiteracy and the backwardness of a large chunk of society.

The fourth and the last aspect of universalization of elementary education is to ensure the completion of elementary education to cent percent children, within the stipulated time period. The condition at present however is that almost 20% children still fail to complete their curriculum within the stipulated time period. Its main reasons are :

(1) The burdensome curriculum of elementary education.

(2) Lack of consciousness of most of the parents towards the education of their children.

 

(3) Lack of building, furniture, teaching aids and teachers in schools and negligency on the part of teachers.

(4) Lack of devotion of most of the students towards their education.

(5) Defective examination and evaluation system.