Brief notes on Education and National Integration

In view of promoting national integration in November 1960, the Education Ministers of all the States met to consider this matter. The problem of National Integration was considered in all its gravity. It was then decided that a committee be constituted under the leadership of Dr. Sampurnananda for promoting national and emotional unity in the country.
The committee apart from considering other aspects of the problem, devoted thought to the role of education in promoting national integration.
The Committee was set up in May 1961 and it began it’s; work soon thereafter.
Education and the Recommendations of National and Emotional Integration Committee
The Committee recommended that the aim of education should be merely to give or exchange knowledge, but also to bring about the all round development of personality of the students. Through the medium of education, the qualities of sacrifice and tolerance should not be evolved in the student behaviour so that, the feeling of national unity may be fostered.
The important recommendations of Committee as follows:
(i) Recognition of Education Institutions: Recognition should j be granted only to those educational institutions which do not practiced discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed, religion, clan etc.
(ii) Basis of Admission: The basis of admission to educational I institutions should be the merit of student and not caste, clan, religion, class etc.
(iii) School Uniform: The Uniform of students in every school should be identical.
(iv) Oath to be taken by the students: Every year, students should be required to take oath twice to devote themselves to the service of their country and countrymen. The oath was to the effect that —” India is my country, all Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country. I am proud of its glorious traditions and that I will always strive to make myself worthy of my country.”
(v) National Anthem: Students should be taught the meaning of our national anthem and sing properly in chorus.
(vi) Respect for the National Flag: Students should be taught the importance of the national flag and to show due respect to the national flag.
(vii) Celebration of National Days: Students and teachers in co-operation with other members of the Community should celebrate such national days as August 15, January 2ft October 2 etc..
(viii) Organization of lectures of National Unity: The gathering organized for the various activities and purposes of school should be utilized for laying emphasis upon national integration.
(ix) Exhibition of Films and Organizing Tours: The exhibition of films depicting various aspects of national development and national Unity. Organizing tours to places of historical importance.

(x) School Project: Project should be initiated in schools for the specific purpose of acquainting students with their country. These projects should increase knowledge about various parts of the country and thus stimulate love for the country.
(xi) Open Air Theater: At least four times in a year, play should be staged in schools for the benefit of students. The themes of these plays should be ancient India, contemporary India, and unity at the time of freedom movement and the promotion of national integration.
(xii) Reorganization of the Curriculum: The Curriculum of schools should be organized on the basis of modern India’s democratic and secular values.
(a) Primary Level:
Importance should be laid on prayer meeting, singing national songs telling stories of great-men, folk-song, patriotic song and social studies.
(b) Secondary Level:
Priority should be given to moral and ethical education, Co-curricular activities, knowledge of languages and literature and social studies.
(c) University Level:
Special emphasis should be placed upon the various social science, languages, literatures, culture and art.