Back to: Contemporary India and Education – Unit 3
During the Budget session in 1986, the Parliament of India discussed and adopted the “National Policy on Education 1986.” This program was supervised by prominent Central and State government educationalists, experts, and senior representatives.
Aims of Education
The main aims of education according to National Policy of Education, 1986 are as follows:
- Education is universal and essential for all. It is important for all-around development from material to spiritual.
- Education should promote the goals of secularism, socialism, and democracy enshrined in the constitution.
- Education should foster skills for different levels of the economy in the individual.
- Education should foster the guarantee of national self-reliance.
- It believes in the cardinal principle, ‘Education is a unique investment in the present and future.”
- All students, irrespective of caste, creed, location or sex, are given access to quality education of comparable quality up to a certain level.
- Effective measures should be taken by the government according to the school system recommended in the 1986 Policy.
- The National System of Education aims to establish a common educational structure.
The 10+2+3 structure recommended by the National Education Policy has now been accepted in the country.
Main Recommendations of the National Policy on Education
The main recommendations of the National Policy on Education 1986 are as follows:
Provision of Equal Opportunities
The NPE demands that equal opportunities should be provided to all both in terms of access and success.
Emphasis On Women
Women’s education should be facilitated and they should be imparted technical, professional, and vocational education.
Emphasis on Backward Classes
Education of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes should be paid equal attention.
Adequate Facilities
Adequate learning resources and materials must be provided in inaccessible areas.
Emphasis On Minority Communities
Establishment and setting up of educational institutes by minority communities should be allowed.
Education of handicapped children
Handicapped children must have feasible access to education and special schools with residential facilities must be set up.
Correspondence Education
Correspondence education must be offered to facilitate equal opportunities. It will make education accessible and convenient for those who cannot attend regular classes.
These were the various recommendations put up by the National Policy on Education, 1986.
