Kothari Commission (1964-66) Facts, Objective & Importance
Kothari Commission focused on girls education, education of backward classes, education of tribal people, physically and mentally handicapped children.
Kothari Commission Facts (1964- 66) (कोठारी आयोग)
The appointment of the education commission of 1964-1966 popularly known as the 'Kothari Commission' was a significant event in the history of education in free India. In 1964, Dr. D.S Kothari was requested to give advice to the government on the action to be taken for the development of education at all levels and he submitted a report in 1966.
It tried to cover every field and aspect of the entire educational system. It is a 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 determines the level of prosperity, welfare, and future of the country.
1. Commission Official Name : Education for National Development
2. Established on : July 14, 1964
3. Reports Submitted : June 29, 1966
4. Chairman Dr. Dulat Singh Kothari (D.S Kothari)
5. Total Members : 17
6. Headquarters : New Delhi, India
7. Purpose : to examine all aspects of the educational sector in India
8. Objective: The recommendations of the Commission cover almost all aspects and all stages of education. The commission suggested for urgent reforms needed in education to transform it, to endeavour to relate it to the life, needs and aspirations of the people and thereby to make it a powerful tool of social, economic and cultural transformation necessary for realisation of our national goals.
Kothari Commission Recommendations :
1. The National Committee on Education for women headed by Smt. Durga Bai Deshmukh
2. Recommendations by Hansa Mehta Committee.
3. Recommendations of Bhaktavatsalam Committee
Kothari Commission Objective
The Commission suggested strategies and targets to achieve and development or women’s education: The Commission states that the overall objective should be to provide educational facilities to boys and girls, to aim for 100% girls enrollment in the age group of 6-11 years by 1976, and in the age-group 11 -14 by 1981.
Education of Girls at Primary Stage
The education of girls should be given special attention for the fulfillment of constitutional directive.
Education of Girls at the Secondary Stage
At this stage efforts should be made to accelerate and expand girls education. Emphasis should be placed for establishing separate schools for girls. Moreover facilities like hostels, scholarships and vocational courses should be provided.
Condensed Courses
The Central Social Welfare Board has already started condensed courses for adult women, and the scheme has met with success.
Improvement Programmes
The CABE has recommended the following programmes with 100% central assistance during the 4th plan
(i) Construction of teachers quarters
(ii) Rural allowance for women teachers,
(iii) Provision of School mothers,
(iv) Construction of sanitary blocks
(v) Construction of hostels
(vi) Starting creches
(vii) Providing school uniform and mid-day meals.
Continuation or Distance Classes
May be started in the existing schools for those who have left the schools and are not in a position to join during day time due to various social and economic reasons. The continuation courses should be the same as for regular students, though the duration may be longer.
Technical Institutes
These institutes for girls should be started, and the government should give 100% recurring grant for 5 years.
Public Co-operation
The targets can be achieved with the help of the local public by getting co-operation in :
(i) Establishing private schools.
(ii) Putting up school buildings.
(iii) Contributing voluntary labour.
(iv) Encouraging married women to teach and work in esteemed organization.
(v) Giving special assistance to students in terms of mid-day meals, books and uniforms.
Scholarships
Special emphasis should be given to provision of scholarships in larger number, and free education to all the girls at various school stages. At the University stage 50% of the girls may receive free education.
Facilities in Backward Areas
In these areas girl students in the form of free residential accommodation, free transport arrangements, and special allowance to women teachers. This holds good to rural, backward, hilly and isolated areas.
Assistance to voluntary Organization should be given by the Government in the development of such activities as establishing hostels, establishing laboratories or libraries and starting projects.
Kothari Commission Advantage
1. The Kothari commission report was a masterly piece of work on all aspects of Indian Education.
2. The commission presented a comprehensive study of educational problems in the context of the national needs and aspirations.
3. The commission made a realistic approach to link education to the socio-economic, cultural and spiritual aspects of Indian life.
4. The commission recommended reasonable and respectable scales of pay to all categories of teachers subject to periodical revision.
Kothari Commission Demerits :
1. The position of heads of schools was left undecided by the commission.
2. The commission committed a mistake in placing Sanskrit on a par with Arabic.
3. The views of commission on medium of instruction was not only conflicting but also controversial.