The Kothari Commission, officially known as the Indian Education Commission (1964-66), was established under the chairmanship of Dr. D.S. Kothari.
The commission’s report laid the foundation for comprehensive educational reform in India. Here are the key points of its agenda:
- National System of Education: Propose a national framework for education that ensures uniformity and standardization across the country while accommodating regional diversity.
- Free and Compulsory Education: Recommend making education free and compulsory for children up to the age of 14.
- Focus on Science and Technology: Emphasize the importance of science and technology in education to promote economic and industrial development.
- Curriculum Reforms: Suggest a broad-based curriculum that includes not only academic subjects but also vocational and technical education to meet the needs of the economy.
- Teacher Training and Quality: Advocate for the improvement of teacher education and training to enhance the quality of teaching.
- Higher Education Expansion: Encourage the expansion and improvement of higher education institutions to increase access and raise educational standards.
- Adult and Continuing Education: Highlight the need for adult education and lifelong learning opportunities to ensure that all citizens can continue to develop their skills and knowledge.
- Language Policy: Support the three-language formula, promoting the study of the mother tongue, Hindi, and English to foster national integration and global communication.
- Educational Finance: Recommend increased government expenditure on education to at least 6% of the national income to support these reforms.
- Equalization of Educational Opportunity: Stress the importance of providing equal educational opportunities to all sections of society, particularly the disadvantaged and marginalized groups.
The Kothari Commission’s recommendations aimed to create an education system that was equitable, comprehensive, and aligned with India’s socio-economic goals.