Different positive changes that took place in the education field are as follows:
(a) Need for modification in the school syllabi: The National Council of Educational Research and Training, Delhi suggested some modifications in the school syllabi and the structure of school textbooks.
(b) The guidelines for the new syllabi: The guidelines in the new syllabi were based on democratic principles, social justice, awareness of duties and responsibilities, gender equality, protection of the environment, eradication of superstition, population education as also norms of individual behaviour. The syllabi were also formed for creating awareness among the students regarding unity in diversity. Several training programs are arranged for teachers all over Maharashtra for intensifying the effects to fulfill the objectives of the new syllabi. It helped to create awareness regarding the state-level training and school textbooks, comparable to the awareness created at the time of the ‘National Literacy Mission’.
(c) Recommendation of Acharya Ram Murti Committee: In 1990, the report of Acharya Ram Murti Committee was received by the Government of India. The committee examined the National Educational Policy (NEP). This committee emphasised on universalisation of education, education for women and backward classes, and educational democracy. The most important recommendation of this committee was to include education in fundamental rights and to raise the government funds allotted to education. The directives were issued related to the weight of school bags of children which leads to a reduction in the weight of a school bag. The practices of interviewing children before school admission were banned.
(d) Objectives of ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’:
- To enroll every child in school to raise the standard of education.
- To eliminate gender discrimination in education.
- To achieve 100% attendance in school by 2010.
(e) Establishment of Central Schools with uniform syllabi: Central schools with uniform syllabi were created throughout the country so that the wards of Central Government’s and Armed forces employee may not have to suffer. The central schools focus on sports and extracurricular activities along with the academic syllabi.
(f) The programmes of ‘Ratrashala’ and ‘Sakharshala’: The Government started the programmes like ‘Ratrashala’ and ‘Sakharshala’. Mahatma Jotirao Phule started first night school in Maharashtra in the 19th century. A number of night schools are opened in Maharashtra inspired by Mahatma Phule’s work. This programme is specially meant to benefit the students who work in the daytime. In the season of sugarcane harvesting, many labourers migrate temporarily to the sites of various sugar factories. To facilitate the education of their children special schools known as ‘Sakharshala’ were started. The State Government also take help of voluntary organization to increase literacy rate. This has helped in increasing the literacy rate. The districts of Sindhudurg and Wardha achieved a 100% literacy rate. It provided an impetus to adult education. The government provided books to school children for supplementary reading.
