National Council Of Educational Research and Training : NCERT

NCERT (National Council Of Educational Research and Training) is an autonomous(self-governing) organisation of Government Of India. It was established on 1st September 1961 as a literacy, scientific and charitable Society.
                   The Council was formed by merging seven existing National Government institutions.
1. The Central Institute Of Education
2. The Central Bureau Of Textbook Research
3. The Central Bureau Of Educational and Vocational Guidance
4. The Directorate Of Extension Programmes For Secondary Education
5. The National Institute Of Basic Education
6. The National Fundamental Education Centre
7. The National Institute Of Audio-Visual Education

Its headquarter is located at Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi. The NCERT was established with the agenda to design and support a common system of education which encourages the diverse culture across the country based on the recommendations of Education Commission(1964-66) and is National in character. The first National Policy statement on Education was issued in 1968.
                 The policy imposed uniform pattern of school education across country consisting of 10 years of general education program followed by 2 years of diversified schooling. This framework came in 1975. It emphasised that a curriculum has to be developed on basis of research. Thus for NCERT, the 1970 was a decade flushed with curriculum research and development activities to relate the content and process of education to Indian realities.

NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK FOR SCHOOL EDUCATION

                   National Curriculum Framework for School Education was developed in 2000. It stressed on importance of stress-free, enjoyable, healthy childhood and reduction of the curricular burden. Thus an integrated and theme based approach was suggested, environmental education was emphasised upon and language and Mathematics go integrated in the first two years of school.

The NCF was based on 5 guiding principles:-
1. Connecting knowledge to life outside real life.
2. Shift from the intelligence method of learning
3. Overall development of children
4. Flexible Examination pattern and integrating them with classroom life.
5. Nurturing an identity by caring concerns

LOGO

The design of the NCERT logo is taken from an Ashoka period of 3rd century. The motto has been taken from the 'Isha Upanishad' meaning 'Life eternal through Learning'. The logo consists of Three intertwined Hansas which symbolises the integration of three aspects of the work of NCERT:

* Research and Development
* Training
* Extension


TEXTBOOKS

     Central Board Of Secondary Education CBSE prescribes the textbooks published by NCERT for classes 1st to 12th, with few exceptional subjects. Online textbooks are available at epathshala website which could be downloaded free. Around 19School boards from 14states have adopted the books. The material is press-ready and may be printed by paying 5% royalty and by acknowledging NCERT. The textbooks are printed in color and are least expensive books, with each for upto class VIII of maximum price of rs.55/-.

What is RTE: Right To Education

The Right to Education (RTE), is an act of the Parliament Of India which was enacted on 4th August 2009. This act describes the modalities of the importance of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14yrs of age.
This RTE act makes Education to be a Fundamental Right of every Child between the ages of 6 to 14yrs. It imposes all private schools to reserve 25% of seats to children which is reimbursed by the state government as a part of public-private partnership plan). It makes provisions for No Donation or Capitation Fees, No interview of Child or Parent for Admission. This Act also provides that no child shall be held back, expelled or required to pass a Board Exam until the completion of elementary Education. There is also a provision for special training of school drop-outs to bring them up to par with students of the same age.
                            The RTE Act provides surveys that monitor all neighbourhoods, identify children requiring education and set up facilities for providing it. It is the pride for India that World Bank Education specialist for India, Sam Carlson, has observed: "The RTE act of India is the first Legislation in the world that puts the responsibility of ensuring enrolment, attendance and completion on the Government. In other countries it is the responsibility of parents to send the children to schools."
                       

Special significance is been given to education in Indian Constitution. The Act lays down specific responsibilities for the Central, State and Local bodies for its implementation. There was lack of financial capacity to deliver education of appropriate standards in all the schools needed for universal education. Thus Central govt. was needed to subsides the states.

OBJECTIVES OF RTE

Right To Education Act was laid down with objective to have an Educated Nation. Some of the objectives are as follows;

*To provide free and compulsory education to each child until completion of elementary education.

*It associated Government to provide Compulsory Education, which means govt. will provide free  elementary education, compulsion in attendance and ensure that no child is liable to pay any kind of  fees or admission charges.

*Provision to un-admitted child into an age-appropriate class.

*It prohibits any kind of mental harassment, capitation fees, private tutions, physical punishments.

*It ensures to maintain a balanced teacher-pupil ratio and looks after rational deployment of teachers.

*It ensures to design curriculum that is value based, with the aim to bring overall development of  child.

Latest Update News 

* In Madhya Pradesh RTE seats have fallen down to 14% as compared to previous year. Online application Process ends up today for RTE admission for 3.5lakh seats in State.

* In MYSURU more than 50% of  RTE seats remained vacant, prompting DPI for announcing two more additional rounds to be conducted to fill the vacancies.

* In Nagpur second round to fill vacant RTE seats is extended till 27th June to complete admission process formalities.