Chapter – Ten : Social Services
X. SOCIAL SERVICES
10.1 GENERAL EDUCATION
10.1.1 Programme of the Higher Education Department
The State Government has been encouraging the introduction of various need-based and job-oriented courses in the emerging areas of Science and Technology. The momentous changes in the popular focus and preferences in terms of higher education that have taken place need to be reflected in the planning of higher education. Special attention will continue to be laid on the expansion of opportunities for professional education, IT and IT-enabled education, vocational subjects, engineering and management and also in the field of newly introduced subjects like Material Science, Bio-technology, Bio-informatics, Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering, Nano-technology, Micro-biology etc. Priority will be given for spoken and written communicative skill of English. Emphasis is being given on the development of research activities and other arenas of higher education to keep pace with the changes occurring in modern times.
Programmes/Schemes undertaken by the Higher Education Department in furtherance of the Policy:
University Education
Out of fifteen State Aided Universities in West Bengal, ten Universities come under the administrative jurisdiction of the Department of Higher Education. The Department has recently set up two universities namely the Netaji Subhas Open University and the West Bengal University of Technology. A Bengali on-line course has been introduced by the Netaji Subhas Open University.
In terms of output and impact, the Calcutta University is among the first ten Universities of the country in research on Science and Technology. The U.G.C. has awarded CAS/DSA/DRS/COSIST programmes to more than 15 departments of the University on the basis of research performance.
A total sum of Rs.35.30 lakh has so far been released for renovation and repair works in favour of Calcutta University, Jadavpur University, Kalyani University, Burdwan University, Rabindra Bharati University, Vidyasagar University, North Bengal University, Bengal Engineering & Science University, West Bengal University of Technology, Netaji Subhas Open University, W.B. State Council of Higher Education and Calcutta Government Engineering College (J.U.2nd Campus) during 2005-06.
College Education
On going construction and renovation works in different Government and Non-Government Colleges have been continued during 2005-06 with financial assistance of Higher Education Deptt. A total amount of Rs.68,24,537/- (Rs.49,50,000/- for Govt. Colleges + Rs.18,74,537/- for Non-Govt. Colleges) has been released for different on going schemes. A total amount of Rs.34,50,000/- has been sanctioned for civil and electrical works for the purpose of face lifting works of Presidency College and Lady Brabourne College. State Govt. has approved the establishment of 10 general degree colleges viz. Hingalganj Mahavidyalaya, North 24-Pgs., Santal Bidraha Sardha Satabarshiki Mahavidyalaya, Paschim Midnapore, Pandaveswar College, Burdwan, Lalgola College, Murshidabad, Sukumar Sengupta Mahavidyalaya, Paschim Midnapore, Dr. B.R.Amdebkar College,
South 24-Parganas, Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Satabarshiki Mahavidyalaya, North 24-Pgs, Polba Mahavidyalaya, Hooghly, Baxirhat Mahavidyalaya, Coochbehar and Patrasayar Mahavidyalaya, Bankura.
A total amount of Rs.36,99,450/- has also been sanctioned for various electrical and civil works in respect of Jhargram Raj College, Presidency College, Darjeeling College, Hooghly Mohsin College, Haldia Govt. College, Bidhannagar Govt. College, Bethue College, Lady Brabourne College, Barasat Govt. College, Taki Govt. College etc.
Post Graduate courses in different subjects have been introduced in 27 General Degree Colleges. At present, there are 479 colleges (443 Non-Govt. Colleges + 36 Govt. Colleges) in West Bengal out of which 360 General Degree Colleges, 43 Education Colleges, 11 Law Colleges, 2 Art Colleges, 45 Engineering & Technological Colleges, 1 Home Science College, 2 Music Colleges, 3 Special Institutes and 9 Business Management/Business Administration Colleges (Master Degree).
N.S.S.
In 2005-06 an amount of Rs.59,76,000/- has so far been released for organising various NSS activities in the State. NSS activities are being conducted in about 250 colleges and 140 institutions under the Higher Secondary Council of the State. The present enrolment strength of the N.S.S. volunteers in the State during 2005-06 is 70,400.
West Bengal District Gazetteers
The office of the State Editor, West Bengal District Gazetteers was set up in the late fifties to implement the Government of India scheme of revision of gazetteers, which were compiled and published during the British Rule. It is engaged in three prolonged action strategy: -
i) Publication and compilation of gazetteers of post-1947 West Bengal in English.
ii) Re-print of Old Gazetteers and Statistical Account of pre-1947 Bengal and documents of importance and rarity.
iii) Publication of District Gazetteers in Bengali.
10.1.2 Programme of the Mass Education Department
Adult High Schools
Adult men and women, who could not take facilities of formal school education, are provided with education up to Madhyamik Level through Adult High Schools. This Department anticipates an expenditure of Rs.2.63 lakh in the current year. The projection for 2006-07 Rs.3.38 lakh. While the physical target for the current year is 700 students that for the next year is another 700 students.
Education and Training for the physically handicapped children
Grants for education and Vocational Training for the Handicapped students, Hostel Subsidies, Contingencies etc. and Scholarship to the handicapped students of class IX onwards are released in favour of institutions catering to handicapped students. During the 10th plan period, an amount of Rs. 1070 lakh was spent up to 2004-05 while the anticipated expenditure in the current years is Rs.500 lac. While the physical target during the current financial year is to cover 1515 students the target for the next year is 3000 students.
Literacy Programmes
Post Literacy Programme, Continuing Education Programme in Darjeeling district and Project for eradication of residual illiteracy in respect of 8 districts viz. Malda, Birbhum, Jalpaiguri, Paschim Midnapore, Purulia, Uttar Dinajpur, Bankura and Murshidabad have been taken up during the current financial year. From 2002-03 to 2004-05, Rs.476.08 lakh were spent in this programme. While the physical target for the current year in the CEP & PRI are 19 and 8 districts respectively, those for 2006-07 are again 19 & 8 districts respectively.
Non-formal Education
The Primary Level Education to the children in age group 9 to 14 years who are school dropouts and / or could not attend schools for various reasons, are imparted under the scheme which is executed through selected NGOs. Between 2002-03 & 2004-05, Rs.268.77 lakh were spent in this scheme.
Audio Visual Education
Audio Visual Education on social issues is imparted through one unit at State Level and 10 Aided Units at the District Level. Up to 2004-05 Rs.1.46 lakh was spent.
Strengthening of Administrative Structures (SAS)
Salaries to 45 employees of the Directorate are paid out of this Head. Directorate of Library Services, which is working under Mass Education Extension Department is looking after the development and expansion of Library Services through 2473 Public Libraries spread over the State.
Objective of the Directorate is to bring more people in the purview of Public Library Services, particularly weaker section of the community, namely women, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe people. This is being done by providing special book and furniture grants, building grants, normal recurring grant and also by providing special services, namely reference service, Text Book Service, Information Service. State Central Library and District Libraries are being computerised with the aim of providing services to the readers more quickly and more pervasively.
In the financial year 2004-05, 2473 Public Libraries have been given recurring maintenance grant, salary grant, 49 Govt. and Govt. Sponsored Public Libraries have been provided with building grant and other grant; about 200 libraries have been specially benefited through the matching scheme of the State Govt. and RRRLF beside special book grant to 2461 Public Libraries; 26 District Libraries have been benefited by the grant provided by the Eleventh Finance Commission; text cum reference section have been established in 331 Govt. Sponsored Town and Rural Libraries; financial assistance for purchase of books and furniture has been given to 246 Non-Govt. and Non-Sponsored Libraries and 304 Community Library cum Information Centres have been established.
Programmes proposed during 2005-06 & 2006-07 :
(1) 30 new Community-Library and Information Centre will be opened this year, while 30 other such centers are to be opened in 2006-07.
(2) 14 Group D and Group C posts will be created this year, while 20 such posts are expected to be created in the next year.
(3) Building grant will be given under RIDF scheme to 80 rural libraries this year and 100 rural libraries in the next year.
(4) Implementation of various schemes under the matching scheme of the State Govt. and RRRLF.
(5) Establishment of “career guidance scheme” and “Text Book Service” in libraries.
The Department is allocating about 47% of its planned budget to SC and ST population. About 22% of the SC and 6% of the ST population are benefited under the General Schemes. Out of the total
beneficiaries of 154 lakh in the Continuing Education Programme, 33.88 lakh were from SC and 12.32 lakh from the ST community. There is no externally aided programme of this Department. In all general schemes for the women beneficiaries are nearly 45% to 50%.
10.1.3. Programme of the School Education Department
Through the National Policy on Education, 1986 and several measures subsequently taken and ultimately 83rd and 86th Amendment of the Constitution; Education has been declared as a Fundamental Right. The importance has been restored in several judgement of the Supreme Court of India. Effort has been taken to bring all the children of age group 5-14 years under the purview of the Elementary Education with the help of twin project, viz. District Primary Education Programme and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Following goals have been set in these programmes:-
a) To ensure to bring all the children in elementary stage to school during the current financial year,
b) To bring all the children upto 14 years of age by 2010,
c) To reduce the drop out to zero percent, and
d) To ensure quality of Education.
Demographical feature: West Bengal occupies 4th position amongst the States of India with a projected population of 870.67 lakh as per 2006 with 52% male and 48% female. 73% of the total population lives in rural areas. S.C & S.T. population constitute 23.62% and 5.59% respectively. Child population between the age group 5-14yrs., enrolment, institutional coverage and literacy status of the State are given below:
a) Literacy Status of the State ( As per Census 2001) : Male – 77.58%, Female – 60.22%
b) Age wise Child population (projected)
( In lakh)
Age group / 2002 / 2003 / 2004Total / Boys / Girls / Total / Boys / Girls / Total / Boys / Girls
0-4 / 92.25 / 47.70 / 44.55 / 93.90 / 48.55 / 45.55 / 95.57 / 49.42 / 46.15
5-9 / 108.35 / 56.03 / 52.32 / 110.27 / 57.02 / 53.25 / 112.24 / 58.04 / 54.20
10-14 / 96.93 / 50.07 / 46.76 / 98.55 / 50.96 / 47.59 / 100.31 / 51.87 / 48.44
15-19 / 75.69 / 39.14 / 36.55 / 77.03 / 39.83 / 37.20 / 78.40 / 40.54 / 37.86
Age group / 2005 / 2006 / 2007
Total / Boys / Girls / Total / Boys / Girls / Total / Boys / Girls
0-4 / 97.27 / 50.30 / 46.97 / 99.00 / 51.19 / 47.81 / 100.76 / 52.10 / 48.66
5-9 / 114.25 / 59.08 / 55.17 / 116.28 / 60.13 / 56.15 / 118.37 / 61.21 / 57.16
10-14 / 102.11 / 52.80 / 49.31 / 103.93 / 53.74 / 50.19 / 105.78 / 54.70 / 51.08
15-19 / 79.81 / 41.27 / 38.54 / 81.23 / 42.00 / 39.23 / 82.68 / 42.75 / 39.93
*Calculation made on the basis of percentage of age wise population as per Census 1991.
c) Access: No. of Schools (as on 30.9.2004)
Primary / 51735 + 16019 (SSK)Middle/Jr. High / 2186 + 1260 (MSK)
High / 6450
Higher Secondary / 3383
Primary Teachers Training Institute / 58
d) Enrolment (by Stage) as on 30.9.2005 (in lakh)
SC / STAll / Boys / Girls / Boys / Girls / Boys / Girls
Primary (I - V) / 105.20 / 55.02 / 50.18 / 16.26 / 13.41 / 3.38 / 2.67
Jr.High (VI - VIII) / 35.66 / 19.52 / 16.14 / 4..20 / 2.75 / 1.09 / 0.59
High (IX - X) / 14.35 / 8.59 / 5.76 / 1.66 / 0.97 / 0.33 / 0.16
H.S. (XI - XII) / 6.96 / 4.30 / 2.66 / 0.60 / 0.33 / 0.09 / 0.05
e) No. of Habitation served with Primary Schools (as per 7th AISES)
(i) Within habitation / 40994(ii) Within 1 km of the habitation / 65776
(iii) Beyond 1 km of the habitation / 8901
f) No. of Habitation served with Jr. /Secondary/Higher Secondary Schools (as per 7th AISES)
a) Within habitation / 7315b) Within 3 km of the habitation / 84685
c) Beyond 3 km of the habitation / 23671
To achieve the goals as set forth, the following strategies are to be adopted: -
Primary Education
1. To bring all the schools, gram sansad and wards under the coverage of SSA.
2. To create certain resource institution and organization at different level from the State to the Gram Sansad.
3. To form VEC/ WECs in all Gram sansad and municipal wards for strengthening the community and parents for quality education as well as overall enrolment and access.
4. To provide scope for Panchayet Raj Institution in planning and management of Primary schools
5. To fill-up vacancies of teachers and provide teachers in the post of additional post for ensuring 40 : 1 PTR in all schools.
6. To pay attention to special group like SC/ST, linguistic minorities, educationally backward class and physically disabled.
7. To create an effective convergence between ICDS and primary education in case of automatic transition from pre-primary classes to Class I.
8. To take up new initiative in case of increasing enrolment and retention of girl children in the school.
9. Providing support to Sishu Shiksha Kendra from SSA and opening of similar short-time study centres for bridging the gap in access for primary children who cannot enrol themselves in school due to various reasons.