75 Years of Indian Education: Achievements and Aspirations

Over the course of 7 decades after Independence, the education system of India has evolved gradually yet phenomenally. From a literacy rate of 18% in 1951, we have moved up to 73% as of 2011. Currently, the education system in India is the strongest and largest in the world hosting more than 315 million students. In the early days of independence India's educationist felt that it was not possible to find the right path without altering the structure of education. In the world of ours, founded upon science and technology, it is education alone which determine the level of prosperity, well-being and security of individuals. The success we achieve the task of national reconstruction depends directly upon the qualities of our students emerging from our colleges and universities. Today, education has undergone multifaceted growth and progress. In consequence also literacy has increased. The history of education in India took significant turn after independence. Education was given an important priority by the government of India. The stress was on Indianisation of education and making it more purposeful and dynamic. India achieved this through various educational commissions, programmes and policies. An overview of the commission reports, programmes and policies are attempted in this book.

List of Contents

• University Education Commission/ Radhakrishnan Commission (1948-49)

• Secondary Education Commission/ Mudaliar Commission 1952-53

• Indian Education Commission/Kothari Commission (1964-66)

• National Policy of Education (1986)

• Ram Murti Review Committee (1990)

• Janardan Reddy Committee 1992

• Programme of Action (POA) 1992

• 'Learning Without Burden' - Report of the National Advisory Committee appointed by MHRD - Yashpal Committee (1992-93)

• National Curricular Framework (NCF) 2005

• National Knowledge Commission (NKC)

• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009