INDIA:

organization, curriculum and evaluation

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES PROFESSIONAL COURSES EDUCATION FOR ALL

 Higher Education System in India Universities and specialized institutes are the centers for higher learning in India. The studies and disciplines cover a wide range of subjects from poetry to computer engineering to space research. Most of the universities and higher centers of learning and research are autonomous in function. A good number of universities have a federal structure composed of affiliated colleges on one tier and the university departments on the other.

 The affiliated colleges teach, in general, undergraduate courses, whereas the university departments conduct postgraduate teaching and advanced research. The university decides the criteria of admission into colleges and coordinates the first degree examination in the undergraduate programs and award of degree.

Some other types of universities teach both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in general disciplines as well as in technical and professional courses. There are no affiliated colleges attached to them.

 There is a third category of universities and institutions where technical and professional courses are taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Names like Indian Institute of Technology, Birla Institute of Technology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian Forest Research Institute, Indian Veterinary Research Institute can be quoted. Some institutes only offer postgraduate and research courses such as Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Research.

 The distinctiveness, flexibility and the quality of higher education in India have been attracting more and more international students to come to Indian universities. In contrast to the expensive university and higher education offered in the USA, in the western European countries or in Australia, higher education is still highly subsidized in India and therefore, affordable. Further, students from developing countries find a greater sense of belonging and confidence-sharing as they have many social and cultural values common with India.

Courses and Degrees

Undergraduate Courses Undergraduate courses, in general, are of three years leading to the final examinations. The universities and higher institutes award Bachelor degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, etc. However, undergraduate courses leading to a first degree in professional subjects like Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy are of a longer duration ranging from four to five and a half years.

Courses offered at Higher Education Level

Engineering and Technology Computer Sciences, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Bio-informatics. Medical, Dental, Nursing, Pharmacy and Paramedical. Agriculture / Veterinary Sciences, Dairy Technology and Fisheries. Arts & Fine Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce, Science and Management. Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Travel and Tourism. Fashion Design & Technology. The academic programs are offered at Vocational Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral levels.

 Postgraduate Courses Courses in Arts, Science and Medicine are of two years ending with a Master's degree. For Engineering and Technology, it is of one and a half year. In some specialized fields for instance, for a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree, the possession of a Bachelor's degree in any other discipline is required before admission can be obtained. Some universities and higher institutes offer a diploma or a certificate course of shorter duration in disciplines like Engineering, Agricultural Sciences and Computer Technology. The duration of these courses varies from university to university.

Eligibility for Admission

For admission to undergraduate courses, universities/institutes of higher education in India require candidates to complete 12 years of schooling. They should have passed in 5 subjects in the Senior Secondary or equivalent examination. Candidates are expected to obtain 6070% marks in their qualifying examinations. For admission to undergraduate technical courses, candidates should obtain, 75-80% in their qualifying examinations which should include the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and English. Admission requirements to undergraduate pass courses are not very rigid. For technical and professional courses at the undergraduate level, however, applicants can be admitted against nominated seats/paid seats according to prescribed guidelines.

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is also known as the Education for All movement or 'Each One Teach One'. It was introduced in 2000-2001 as the flagship programme run by the Government of India. This scheme is framed to provide useful and relevant elementary education for all children in the age group of six to fourteen by 2010.

Aim of SSA

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan aims to bridge social, regional and gender gaps, with the active participation of the community in the management of schools.

Objectives of SSA
The SSA programme is an endeavour to provide an opportunity for improving human capabilities of all children, through the provision of community-owned quality education in a mission mode. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan had been set with specific targets. These are: All children in school, Education Guarantee Centre, Alternate School or 'Back-to-School' camp by 2003. All children complete five years of primary schooling by 2007. Children complete eight years of elementary schooling by 2010.

 Focus on elementary education of satisfactory quality with emphasis on education for life. Bridge all gender and social category gaps at the primary stage by 2007 and at the elementary education level by 2010. Universal retention by 2010.

 To achieve these objectives, strategies have been framed that include active involvement of local community groups and institutional capacity building for setting up of block level resource centres. These centres impart district elementary education plans. The framework of SSA includes appointment of teachers, their training, motivating parents and students, provision of incentives, like, scholarships, uniforms, textbooks, etc. The programme also aims to open new schools in areas having inadequate schooling facilities and strengthen existing school infrastructure through the construction of additional class rooms, provision of toilets, drinking water facilities and so on.

Role of Private Sector in SSA

Though the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is being administered through government and government aided schools, some private unaided schools are also actively involved in contributing towards universal elementary education. Recently, the government entered into an agreement with the World Bank for assistance to the tune of US $ 600 million to fund the second phase of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is a valuable endeavour of the Government of India, in the universalization of elementary education, which strives to help citizens to realise the importance of elementary education. Social justice and equity are by themselves a strong argument for providing basic education for all. Provision of basic education also improves the standard of living, especially with regard to life expectancy, infant mortality and nutritional status of children.

THANK YOU!!

JAHZEEL L. SARMIENTO

COMPARATIVE EDUCATION