The steps taken for the universalization of elementary education India

According  to Article 45 of the Indian Constitution directed that "The state shall endeavor to provide within a period of ten years from - the commencement of this constitution for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years."

There is a deep realization of the need universalization of primary education everywhere. The Indian Education Commission ( 1964-66), popularly known as Kothari Commission, was an ad hoc commission set up by the Government of India to examine all aspects of the educational sector in India, to evolve a general pattern of education and to advise guidelines and policies for the development of education in India.)  had set the target of universalization within 10 years.But the target has been challenging even after of this 20^th century. But still, elementary education could not achieve the 80 % literate which appears to be a major problem and a cause to concern to the country as a whole. Kerala has become the first Indian state to achieve 100 percent primary education. The Vice-President of India, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, in January 2016, officially declared the 100 percent primary education status achieved by the state. As of 2011, the enrollment rate for pre-primary schools is 58 percent and 93 percent for primary schools.( According to India Today).

The steps were taken for Universalization of Elementary Education after the Independence. 

1.     Primary education should be provided to all children and for that schools should be provided to all children and for that schools should be established in all parts of the country

2.    Universal enrollment: All Children of the age group of 6-14 years be enrolled in the school register. No children left behind is the motto of this. For that reason, there should be wide publicity, motivation, persuasion. The concentration was more in the backward states.Identification of the size of the various target each state was done. There were strategies like provision of the free textbook, midday meals etc to increase the coverage of the program.

3.    Universal retention: It means that all children who get enrolled in school should continue to attend classes till their course is completed.

4.     Role of teacher for universalization of Elementary Education.

a)     Motivating the children as well as their parents.

b)   Training teacher is a high priority programme.

5.    The quality of education also depends upon the infrastructure facility. The school must be facilitated under operation Blackboard scheme, the scheme which provides all the minimum teaching aids, necessary play materials, water facility etc.

 

6.    Primary Curriculum reform projects with UNICEF Assistance: The main concentration  was for improving the quality of elementary education is in the state sector. 

7.    Early childhood education ( ECE) centers. It is one of the modest programmes that had been proposed under the sixth ( VI) plan by way of broad-basing elementary education. Pre-schools in rural areas for 3-6 year age groups also aim at enabling the girls to attend schools.