Analyse the major recommendations of the Education Commission (1964 – 66) and reflect on their implementations ?

The Education Commission (1964–66), also known as the Kothari Commission, was a significant milestone in shaping the education policy in India. Chaired by Dr. D.S. Kothari, it aimed to reform and modernize the education system in post-independence India. Below is an analysis of its major recommendations and their implementation:

Major Recommendations of the Kothari Commission

1. National System of Education
   • Establish a uniform national structure of education (10+2+3 system).
   • Promote equity and accessibility, reducing regional and social disparities.
2. Free and Compulsory Education
   • Ensure free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years of age, as mandated by the Constitution.
3. Language Policy
   • Develop a three-language formula:
     • Regional language.
     • National language (Hindi).
     • A modern foreign language (preferably English).
4. Emphasis on Science and Technology
   • Introduce science education as a compulsory subject to foster scientific temper and technological advancement.
5. Vocational Education
   • Diversify the curriculum to include vocational training at the secondary level to cater to different aptitudes and skills.
6. Teacher Training and Development
   • Improve teacher training programs and professional development.
   • Raise the status of teachers and enhance their pay and working conditions.
7. University Reforms
   • Upgrade university education, focus on research, and establish a network of institutions of higher learning.
8. Expenditure on Education
   • Allocate 6% of GDP to education to meet growing demands and ensure quality.
9. Adult and Continuing Education
   • Launch literacy campaigns and promote adult education to tackle illiteracy among adults.
10. Social and National Integration
    • Use education as a tool to promote unity, national integration, and secularism.

Implementation and Reflection

1. National System of Education
   • The 10+2+3 system was widely adopted, forming the backbone of school and higher education structures in India.
   • However, disparities in quality and access persist, especially in rural and marginalized communities.
2. Free and Compulsory Education
   • The Right to Education Act (2009) eventually fulfilled this recommendation, but delays in implementation meant universal education was not achieved within the expected timeline.
3. Language Policy
   • The three-language formula was implemented with mixed success.
   • Resistance to Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states, particularly Tamil Nadu, has hindered its uniform implementation.
4. Emphasis on Science and Technology
   • Science education received a boost, with initiatives like NCERT-designed curricula and institutions like IITs and NITs strengthening the focus.
   • However, there is a gap in scientific research and innovation at the school level.
5. Vocational Education
   • Vocational education programs have been introduced, but they often lack infrastructure, resources, and industry relevance.
6. Teacher Training and Development
   • Teacher training programs have expanded, yet teacher shortages and inadequate training in rural areas remain issues.
   • The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has emphasized teacher education reforms.
7. University Reforms
   • Institutions like the UGC were strengthened, and premier institutes like IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS were established.
   • Challenges like commercialization of education and declining research output continue to affect higher education.
8. Expenditure on Education
   • India has struggled to allocate 6% of GDP to education, with the figure hovering around 3-4% in recent years.
9. Adult and Continuing Education
   • Adult literacy programs like the National Literacy Mission (1988) have seen some success, but adult literacy remains an ongoing challenge.
10. Social and National Integration
    • Education has played a role in promoting secular and national values, but regional, linguistic, and communal tensions highlight gaps in achieving integration.

The Kothari Commission laid a visionary roadmap for education in India, addressing key issues like equity, access, and quality. While several recommendations were implemented, their success has been uneven due to structural, financial, and socio-political challenges. Recent policies, particularly the NEP 2020, revisit many of the commission’s core ideas, offering an opportunity to fulfill its unachieved goals in a modern context.

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