Debate Between Abstract and Realism in Art

Debate Between Abstract and Realism in Art Consider the legacy of the Abstraction Realism debate for artistic practice in the 1950s in either France or Italy. Both culturally and politically post-war France found itself in a period of transition; as Findling, Scott-Haine and Thackeray (2000) state, the euphoria of 1944 soon gave way to agrim realisation of the socio-political consequences of the Vichy Governments collaboration with the Nazis and the challenges of reconstruction. The Fourth Republic, instigated in 1946 and continuing until the late 1950s, attempted to instil anotion of tabula rasa that would be mirrored in its art and culture. The abstraction-realism debate that had begun before the war and had, perhaps, found its ultimate expression in the Modernist oeuvre through such painters as Mondrian, Miro and others was, ironically, questioned at this time, for instance, in essays such as Jean-Michel Atlans Abstraction and Adventure in Contemporary Art (1950, 1997): Contemporary painting, being essential adventure and creation, is threatened by two forms ofconformity which we absolutely oppose: Banal realism, vulgar imitation of reality; Orthodox abstract art, new academicism which tries to substitute for living painting an interplay of solely decorative forms. (Atlan, 1950; published in Harrison and Wood, 1997: 612) Atlan here makes an interesting point and one that has an enormous bearing on the place of the abstraction-realism debate in 1950s France; for the post-war French artist the question became not how one should situation oneself in a polarity but is that  polarity itself outdated and archaic. The tabula rasa of the socio-political sphere could be seen as a reflection of inter-war regression when translated to the aesthetic; the questionable politics of many of the Modernist writers, thinkers and artists making their work unattractive to thesons and daughters of the Fourth Republic. It was this psycho-social zeitgeist that, perhaps, ensured the twinning of art with prevailing theories of existentialism as John Macquarrie describes in his book of the same name(1972). For Macquarrie, post-war art (and particular those movements instigated in France) mirrors existentialism in its desire to negate the failures of pastontological systems and place the artist or philosopher at the centre of are constructive effort; an attempt to find meaning after the horrors of the war without recourse to external teleological notions like truth and beauty. This situation appears, to an extent, in Bretons Prolegomena to a Third Surrealist Manifesto: All present systems can reasonably be considered to be nothing on the carpenters workbench. This carpenter is you. (Breton, 1990: 287) In terms of the debate, then, between abstraction and realism both Atlan and Breton say essentially the same thing that what was needed culturally by post-war France was neither the consolation of realism nor the negation of abstraction but a synthesis of the two; an aesthetic that could both look forward into the future and signal a break with the past. We can see some of this in the work of Yves Klein. Both in terms of his painting and his photography, Klein constantly strove to achieve the kind of Hegelian synthesis we have been hither to looking at. Kleins work in the mid to late 1950s represented two paradoxical elements: on the one hand producing monochrome canvasses of a scintillatingly blue pigment (Monochrome blue sans titre, 1956; Monochromeblue sans titre, 1957) that all but obliterated any sense of the artist as producer of work and, on the other, laying the groundwork for the creation of action pictures whereby nude models would be used as brushes on huge canvasses (Monique, 1960; La Grand Anthropometrie bleue, 1960) that, literally, places the human being at the centre of artistic creation. In Klein we can clearly the manifestation of the legacy of the realism-abstraction debate in the France ofthe 1950s and, as we suggested, it lay in the synthesis of the two a similarnotion to the philosophical ideas of Sartre and Camus who sought an ontologicalmeaning without teleology. In fact it was some of this sense that culminated inthe creation of neo-realism, of which Klein was a leading figure and about whomPierre Restany wrote: We (the neo-realists) are thus bathed in direct expressivity up to our necks, at fortydegrees above the Dada zero, without aggressiveness, without a downrightpolemical intent, without any other justificatory itch than our realism. Andthat works positively. Man, if he shares in reintegrating himself in reality,identifies it with positively. (Restany, 1960, published in Harrison and Wood,1997: 711) What were neo-realists like Klein, Arman, Daniel Sporerri and Jean Tinguely but artists who attempted a fusion,and thereby a transcendence, of the archaic debate that Altman spoke of? We can see how such a view could beseen to lay the foundations for not only the postmodern movement in France that sought to find meaning in a post-Enlightenment world whose meta discourses in the words of Jean Francois Lyotard (2002: xxiii) were beginning to fail, but also the socio-political events of 1968 and the student uprising. Both of these can be seen to arise out of, or at least reflect, the aesthetic and cultural movements of the 1950s that sought to not only destroy the memories of the Vichy Government and the long years of Nazi occupation but also signal a progression away from the nihilism of Dada that left a void in the place of that which it negated. The legacy of the realism-abstraction debate, then, is one of Hegelian synthesis, arising out of the thesis and the antithesis. This situation was, perhaps, felt more strongly in countries suchas France, Italy and Spain where the political situation prompted a desperately needed change in aesthetic and ontological environment and where the need for a humanist consolation was as great as the need for an expression of the madness of the modern age. References Breton, Andre, (1990), Manifestoes of Surrealism, (Michigan: University of Michigan) Causey, Andrew (1998), Oxford History of Art: Sculpture Since 1945, (Oxford: Oxford University Press) Findling, John, Scott Haine, W and Thackeray, Frank (2000), The History of France, (London: Greenwood Press) Harrison, Charles and Wood, Paul(1997), Art in Theory: 1900-1990: An Anthology of Changing Ideas, (London: Blackwell) Kostelanetz, Richard (ed) (1989), Esthetics[sic] Contemporary, (London: Prometheus) Lyotard, Jean Francois (2004), The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge, (Manchester: Manchester University) Macquarrie, John (1972), Existentialism, (London: Pelican) Roskill, Mark and Carrier, David(1983), Truth and Falsehood in Visual Images, (Amherst: The University of Massachusetts) http://www.yvesklein.net/

Discuss the Various Attitudes to Marriage and Courtship

Discuss the Various Attitudes to Marriage and Courtship that Jane Austen presents in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ In Jane Austen’s book ‘Pride and Prejudice’ she shows various attitudes of marriage and courtship through each character. Some of these attitudes to marriage and courtship are very different to the attitudes of most people today. This book is mainly about marriage so it is very easy and interesting to compare the opinions of marriage from the early nineteenth century to life now. Jane Austen mentions marriage for the first time, in Pride and Prejudice, in the very first sentence:It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. (Chapter 1, page 51) This is possibly the most important quote in the book because it sets the tone for the rest of the novel and it is where we first discover that the book is actually about marriage. Marriage was more of a business arrangement then. For young women it was very important, particularly for the Bennets, that you married a man who was as rich as possible. The amount of money that men had and the lifestyle based on that amount played a very important part in the decision of who to marry.How much love played a part in the equation was a lot smaller than how much the money did. Mrs Bennet, throughout the book, we can see is a very loud, impolite woman. Her character could be described as being a caricature. We first hear of Mr Charles Bingley when Mrs Bennet is telling her husband, Mr Bennet, about him. We don’t learn too much about him other than the fact that he is very wealthy and he is in the area. Mr Bennet asks at this point to Mrs Bennet if he is married or single. She replies: â€Å"Oh! single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls! (Chapter 1, page 51) From what Mrs Bennet says we can instantly see that she is very excited at the news of Mr Bingley being in the area. All that she has heard is that he is wealthy and single and she is already picturing him marrying one of her daughters: â€Å"You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them. † (Chapter 1, page 51) We can see that Mrs Bennet’s main aim is to have her daughters married to rich men because while she is trying to inform Mr Bennet of, in her opinion, great news that Mr Bingley has just arrived into the area, Mr Bennet shows no interest, which agitates her further. Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves. † (Chapter 1, page 52) Elizabeth, however, has different views to marriage compared to her mother. Her opinions of marriage are very much like the opinions of most women today. Of course she takes into account how much money she would have as a result of the marriage but having a rich husband is not all she considers in th e decision of marriage. For Elizabeth love has to be included with the marriage no matter how wealthy the husband would be.This is why she refuses two marriage proposals from Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr Collins later in the book, because – although accepting either marriage would financially improve her lifestyle – she does not love either man. Of course later in the book she does change her mind and fall in love with Mr Darcy. She shows this with various changes of her character and opinion of him throughout the book and later accepts Darcy’s second marriage proposal. This book was set to be in the late 18th century at which social gatherings were particularly important.Balls and musical evenings were seen as being the centre of social life. These gatherings were great opportunities to find a partner. Jane Bennet first met Mr Bingley at a ball in Meryton. (They later marry). At the same town ball Elizabeth Bennet first met Mr Darcy too. (They also marry later i n the novel). At this point in the novel, however, Elizabeth does not love or even like Mr Darcy. Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. (Chapter 3, page 59) This was quoted just after Elizabeth overheard Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley talking at the ball.Mr Bingley was trying to persuade Mr Darcy to dance with somebody and suggested specifically for him to dance with Elizabeth. He, however, did not think that she was good enough for him: â€Å"She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me;†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Chapter 3, page 59) This signifies that Mr Darcy does not appreciate women that are of a much lower class than him. He would rather not marry a poor woman. Unfortunately for him he falls in love with Elizabeth later. During chapter seven Jane Bennet receives a letter from Caroline Bingley inviting Miss Bennet out to lunch.In the late 18th century women were very delicate in comparison to women today. They were delicate in that, for example, if they were in the heat for too long they would feel headachy or faint. Mrs Bennet obviously knew this because, when Jane asked for the carriage, Mrs Bennet deliberately said no: â€Å"No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night. † (Chapter 7, page 77) This quote proves the point that ladies during this time wanted nothing more than to have their daughters married, Mrs Bennet in particular.She is willing to risk her daughter’s health and actually wants her daughter to feel ill so she can stay the night at Mr Bingley’s house rather than just go out for lunch. It shows how far Mrs Bennet is willing to push her daughters into the path of suitable men in order to secure a good marriage. Later in the chapter, when we find out that Jane in fact does have to stay the night due to feeling ill, Elizabeth decides to visit her but intends on walking to Mr Bingley’s house instead of using the carriage. Mrs Bennet cl aims that it is a foolish idea and will not be fit to be seen when she arrives. Elizabeth replies: I shall be very fit to see Jane – which is all I want. † (Chapter 7, page 78) This quote supports the fact that Elizabeth has no intention of trying to impress the Bingleys or Mr Darcy by the way she looks. The opinions of her are very modern in terms of marriage so she does not really care for what she looks like. Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley both think of Elizabeth as quite disgusting at this point. It brought them great shock when she arrived in her ‘dirty stockings’ (Chapter 7, page 79). When Elizabeth goes to go check on Jane after dinner Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley can’t help but ‘abuse her’ (Chapter 8, page 81) as soon as she leaves.Mrs Hurst says: â€Å"I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She looked almost wild. † (Chapter 8, page 81) The contrast of opinions of Elizabeth and Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley again shows how much more modern Elizabeth is compared to every other lady in the novel. We soon meet Mr Collins. Jane Austen has written Mr Collins to have a very exaggerated personality or character of smug pomposity making him, like Mrs Bennet another caricature. During chapter 19 he proposes to Elizabeth: â€Å"†¦I singled you out as the companion of my future life.But before I am run away with by my feelings for this subject, perhaps it will be advisable for me to state reasons for marrying -† (Chapter 19, page 147) Mr Collins continues to speak of why he has chosen to propose. He claims that the church says it is a good idea to get married so he would simply be setting an example for other people. He also claims that it would bring him happiness and that Catherine de Bourgh, his benefactor, wishes for him to be married also. He then goes on to say what would happen when they were to be married. Elizabeth interrupts him: â€Å"You are too hasty, Sir, â€Å" she cried. You for get that I have made no answer. (Chapter 19, page 148) Indeed, Elizabeth is right. Mr Collins has not waited for Elizabeth to even agree to the marriage but is already referring to what he predicts will happen in the future when they supposedly get married. He does this because he expects her to accept the marriage proposal. The idea of Elizabeth rejecting Mr Collins’ marriage proposal was alien to him. If Elizabeth was to accept the proposal then she would have a better life financially so in that time there was not a great deal of reason for her to reject the proposal.When she does reject the proposal he doesn’t seem to believe it, declaring: â€Å"†¦it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour†¦ sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time. † (Chapter 19, page 148) He clearly thinks that all women initially refuse a proposal so as not to appear too eager or too desperate to get married when in fact that is their intention all along. This is why he goes on to express his confidence that he will eventually lead her to the altar.Elizabeth again declines the proposal but Mr Collins will not have it. He again states his belief of women not wanting to sound too eager by accepting a proposal. Elizabeth again declines the offer before Mr Collins tries to persuade her to marry him. Jane Austen shows by this, how women were expected to accept proposals if it would financially improve their life. Jane Austen also shows how the modernisation of the character Elizabeth affects the other characters such as Mr Collins and his disbelief of her rejection.A few days after this Mr Collins proposes to Charlotte Lucas. For this moment, the meaning of the first sentence of the novel seems defensible. Unlike Elizabeth she accepts the proposal. The views of this between Mrs Bennet, Charlotte Lucas and Elizabeth Bennet are all very differen t. The prospect of financial security outweighs any romance or love for Mr Collins’ character according to Charlotte Lucas: â€Å"I am not romantic you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home;† (Chapter 22, page 165) Charlotte Lucas and her family view the proposal as a triumph.This quote shows how Charlotte Lucas’ opinion of marriage is not modern like Elizabeth’s. Elizabeth views this as disappointing. She thinks that it is ridiculous that Charlotte would marry for such a reason as to financially improve her lifestyle. Mrs Bennet is also disappointed but at Elizabeth. She blames her child for letting such a great opportunity slip through the family’s fingers. When Mr Bennet dies, Mr Collins will own his estate. Now that he is to marry Charlotte Lucas instead of Elizabeth they cannot save it. This thought brings Mrs Bennet more distress. When Kitty and Lydia first ind out they think of it as nothing more than gossip as Mr Collins is †˜only a clergyman’ (Chapter 23, page 168). Darcy’s first proposal to Elizabeth has a vital importance in the novel and could be described as signalling a turning point. Darcy is exceedingly rich and earns ? 10,000 a year. If Darcy were to propose to anyone other than Elizabeth they would probably agree to the marriage due to the large sum of money he receives per year. Elizabeth however rejects him! This truly does show how her opinion is different in comparison to other women in terms of marriage.Elizabeth informs Darcy about her knowledge of Wickham and Jane and Bingley, justifying her reasons to reject his proposal. We can tell that he is shocked at this: His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature. (Chapter 34, page 222) His anger signifies that he was not expecting rejection. Mr Darcy is described in the book many times as being very proud and snobby. He must find it exceedingly confusing as to why a lady wi th such a poor background and family would reject his proposal, as he believes that he is quite magnificent.However his loyalty to his friend Mr Bingley allows us to forget the arrogance when he gives Elizabeth a letter the following morning explaining that he did not believe that Jane loved Bingley, and that he thought that if Bingley was to propose to her then he would make a fool of himself. He merely was trying to protect Bingley he claims. When Elizabeth visits Darcy’s estate with the Gardiners to her surprise Darcy is there despite the fact that she had been told he would be out of town until the following day. After a few conversations between them Elizabeth thinks: â€Å"Why is he so altered?From what can it proceed? It cannot be for me, it cannot be for my sake that his manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hunsford could not work such a change as this. It is impossible that he should still love me. † (Chapter 43, page 276) Elizabeth ponders to herself as to whether Darcy loves her still or not. She is wondering how it is that, after her rudeness when she rejected his proposal, he can appear to be so nice and polite to her and the Gardiners. She considers the fact that he may still love her, as he is more gentlemanly than she has ever seen him to be. This shows how much love he has for Elizabeth.You could also look at it from the point of view that he is fighting for Elizabeth by trying to flatter her. He does in fact propose to her again later in the novel. Lydia is well aware of the attitudes of courtship and marriage but because she is so besotted with Mr Wickham later in the novel she forgets all of the rules and elopes with him. The family are so shocked and disgusted at the behaviour of Lydia (and Wickham). Even Elizabeth who has more modern views on courtship and marriage is worried how Lydia’s misbehaviour will reflect on her family and what its consequences will be for her relationship with Darcy.When she hears of Lyd ia’s elopement she tells Darcy that she is â€Å"distressed by some dreadful news† (Chapter 46, page 294) and Darcy’s response is to declare that he is â€Å"grieved – shocked. † (Chapter 46, 295). Elizabeth soon observed, and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; every thing must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. (Chapter 46, page 295) This shows how truly embarrassed Elizabeth was. Her views on everything are so modern compared to most ladies and gentlemen in the 18th century however this even shocked her.We find out that Lydia and Wickham agree to get married later in the novel. The reactions of her family are very predictable. Mrs Bennet is so overjoyed that Lydia is getting married at such a young age that she forgets about her disgusting behaviour. Jane hopes they have a happy life together. Elizabeth is happy that they are marrying but is disappointed at Lydia’s behaviour. Mr Bennet is angry at Lydia for putting the family in the situation of having to give the Gardiners money. Lydia is so happy with herself because of her marriage that she is completely taking advantage of it all.She says to Jane: â€Å"Ah! Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman. † (Chapter 51, page 329) Lydia and her mother are very alike in terms of how excited and proud they are to the fact that Lydia is now married. They are both very proud so Lydia in this chapter tries to find any way she can to show off the fact that she is married. When Darcy proposes to Elizabeth the second time, ironically it is all due to the fact that Lady Catherine de Bourgh visited Elizabeth and tried to force them apart.When Lady Catherine told Darcy he was delighted that Elizabeth refused to promise to turn down a proposal from him if he was to make one. Of course Elizabeth accepts the proposal. Darcy and Elizabeth have a joint wedding with Jane and Bi ngley. To conclude, one of the main features of Jane Austen's writing is to carefully set out how young ladies should behave in the late 18th century. In ‘Pride and Prejudice’, by using a ‘heroine' such as Elizabeth she gives an alternative and possibly more modern view of behaviour. In this novel, Elizabeth’s views on marriage are particularly modern.

Education in India

Education in India has a history stretching back to the ancient urban centres of learning at Taxila and Nalanda. Western education became ingrained into Indian society with the establishment of the British Raj. Education in India falls under the control of both the Union Government and the states, with some responsibilities lying with the Union and the states having autonomy for others. The various articles of the Indian Constitution provide for education as a fundamental right. Most universities in India are Union or State Government controlled. India has made a huge progress in terms of increasing primary education attendance rate and expanding literacy to approximately two thirds of the population. [2] India's improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to the economic rise of India. [3] Much of the progress in education has been credited to various private institutions. [4] The private education market in India is estimated to be worth $40 billion in 2008 and will increase to $68 billion by 2012. [4] However, India continues to face challenges. Despite growing investment in education, 35% of the population is illiterate and only 15% of the students reach high school. [5] As of 2008, India's post-secondary high schools offer only enough seats for 7% of India's college-age population, 25% of teaching positions nationwide are vacant, and 57% of college professors lack either a master's or PhD degree. [6] As of 2007, there are 1522 degree-granting engineering colleges in India with an annual student intake of 582,000,[7] plus 1,244 polytechnics with an annual intake of 265,000. However, these institutions face shortage of faculty and concerns have been raised over the quality of education. [8] Three Indian universities were listed in the Times Higher Education list of the world’s top 200 universities — Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management, and Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2005 and 2006. [9] Six Indian Institutes of Technology and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani were listed among the top 20 science and technology schools in Asia by Asiaweek. 10] The Indian School of Business situated in Hyderabad was ranked number 12 in global MBA rankings by the Financial Times of London in 2010[11] while the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has been recognized as a global leader in medical research and treatment. [12]Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Overview 2. 1 Primary education 2. 2 Secondary education 2. 3 Tertiary education 2. 4 Technical education 3 Literacy 4 Attainment 5 Private education 6 Women's Education 7 Rural education 8 Issues 9 Initiatives 10 Central government involvement 10. 1 Budget 10. Public Expenditure on Education in India 10. 3 Legislative framework 11 Notes 12 References 13 External links [edit] History Monastic orders of education under the supervision of a guru was a favored form of education for the nobility in ancient India. [13] The knowledge in these orders was often related to the tasks a section of the society had to perform. [14] The priest class, the Brahmins, were imparted knowledge of religion, philosophy, and other ancillary branches while the warrior class, the Kshatriya, were trained in the various aspects of warfare. 14] The business class, the Vaishya, were taught their trade and the lowest class of the Shudras was generally deprived of educational advantages. [14] The book of laws, the Manusmriti, and the treatise on statecraft the Arthashastra were among the influential works of this era which reflect the outlook and understanding of the world at the time. [14] Apart from the monastic orders, institutions of higher learning and universities flourished in India well before the common era, and continued to deliver education into the common era. 15] Secular Buddhist institutions cropped up along with monasteries. [14] These institutions imparted practical education, e. g. medicine. [14] A number of urban learning centres became increasingly visible from the period between 200 BCE to 400 CE. [16] The important urban centres of learning were Taxila and Nalanda, among others. [16] These institutions systematically imparted knowledge and attracted a number of foreign students to study topics such as logic, grammar, medicine, metaphysics, arts and crafts. [16] By the time of the visit of the Islamic scholar Alberuni (973-1048 CE), India already had a sophisticated system of mathematics and science in place, and had made a number of inventions and discoveries. [17] With the arrival of the British Raj in India a class of Westernized elite was versed in the Western system of education which the British had introduced. [18] This system soon became solidified in India as a number of primary, secondary, and tertiary centres for education cropped up during the colonial era. 18] Between 1867 and 1941 the British increased the percentage of the population in Primary and Secondary Education from around 0. 6% of the population in 1867 to over 3. 5% of the population in 1941. However this was much lower than the equivalent figures for Europe where in 1911 between 8 and 18% of the population were in Primary and Secondary education. [19] Additionally literacy was also improved. In 1901 the literacy rate in India was only about 5% though by Independence it was nearly 20%. [20] Following independence in 1947, Maulana Azad, India's first education minister envisaged strong central government control over education throughout the country, with a uniform educational system. [21] However, given the cultural and linguistic diversity of India, it was only the higher education dealing with science and technology that came under the jurisdiction of the central government. [21] The government also held powers to make national policies for educational development and could regulate selected aspects of education throughout India. 22] The central government of India formulated the National Policy on Education (NPE) in 1986 and also reinforced the Programme of Action (POA) in 1986. [23] The government initiated several measures the launching of DPEP (District Primary Education Programme) and SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan,[24] India's initiative for Education for All) and setting up of Navodaya Vidyalaya and other selective schools in every district, advances in female educ ation, inter-disciplinary research and establishment of open universities. India's NPE also contains the National System of Education, which ensures some uniformity while taking into account regional education needs. The NPE also stresses on higher spending on education, envisaging a budget of more than 6% of the Gross Domestic Product. [23] While the need for wider reform in the primary and secondary sectors is recognized as an issue, the emphasis is also on the development of science and technology education infrastructure. [edit] Overview The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is the apex body for curriculum related matters for school education in India. 25] The NCERT provides support and technical assistance to a number of schools in India and oversees many aspects of enforcement of education policies. [26] In India, the various curriculum bodies governing school education system are: The state government boards, in which the majority of Indian children are enrolled. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board. The C ouncil for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) board. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) board. International schools affiliated to the International Baccalaureate Programme and/or the Cambridge International Examinations. Islamic Madrasah schools, whose boards are controlled by local state governments, or autonomous, or affiliated with Darul Uloom Deoband. Autonomous schools like Woodstock School, Auroville, Patha Bhavan and Ananda Marga Gurukula. In addition, NUEPA (National University of Educational Planning and Administration)[27] and NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education) are responsible for the management of the education system and teacher accreditation. 28] [edit] Primary education The Indian government lays emphasis to primary education up to the age of fourteen years (referred to as Elementary Education in India. [29]) The Indian government has also banned child labour in order to ensure that the children do not enter unsafe working conditions. [29] However, both free education and the ban on child labor are difficult to enforce due to economic disparity and so cial conditions. [29] 80% of all recognized schools at the Elementary Stage are government run or supported, making it the largest provider of education in the Country. 30] However, due to shortage of resources and lack of political will, this system suffers from massive gaps including high pupil teacher ratios, shortage of infrastructure and poor level of teacher training. Education has also been made free[29] for children for six to 14 years of age or up to class VIII under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. [31] There have been several efforts to enhance quality made by the government. The District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) was launched in 1994 with an aim to universalize primary education in India by reforming and vitalizing the existing primary education system. 32] 85% of the DPEP was funded by the central government and the remaining 15 percent was funded by the states. [32] The DPEP, which had opened 160000 new schools including 84000 a lternative education schools delivering alternative education to approximately 3. 5 million children, was also supported by UNICEF and other international programmes. [32] This primary education scheme has also shown a high Gross Enrollment Ratio of 93–95% for the last three years in some states. [32] Significant improvement in staffing and enrollment of girls has also been made as a part of this scheme. 32] The current scheme for universalization of Education for All is the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which is one of the largest education initiatives in the world. Enrollment has been enhanced, but the levels of quality remain low. [edit] Secondary education The National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986, has provided for environment awareness, science and technology education, and introduction of traditional elements such as Yoga into the Indian secondary school system. [33] Secondary education covers children 14-18 which covers 88. 5 million children according to the Census, 2001. However, enrolment figures show that only 31 million of these children were attending schools in 2001-02, which means that two-third of the population remained out of school. [34] A significant feature of India's secondary school system is the emphasis on inclusion of the disadvantaged sections of the society. Professionals from established institutes are often called to support in vocational training. Another feature of India's secondary school system is its emphasis on profession based vocational training to help students attain skills for finding a vocation of his/her choosing. 35] A significant new feature has been the extension of SSA to secondary education in the form of the Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan[36] A special Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) programme was started in 1974 with a focus on primary education. [25] but which was converted into Inclusive Education at Secondary Stage[37] Another notable special programme, the Kendriya Vidyalaya project, was start ed for the employees of the central government of India, who are distributed throughout the country. The government started the Kendriya Vidyalaya project in 1965 to provide uniform education in institutions following the same syllabus at the same pace regardless of the location to which the employee's family has been transferred. [25] [edit] Tertiary education Our university system is, in many parts, in a state of disrepair†¦ In almost half the districts in the country, higher education enrollments are abysmally low, almost two-third of our universities and 90 per cent of our colleges are rated as below average on quality parameters†¦ I am concerned that in many states university appointments, including that of vice-chancellors, have been politicised and have become subject to caste and communal considerations, there are complaints of favouritism and corruption. – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2007[38] Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. India's higher education system is the third largest in the world, after China and the United States. [39] The main governing body at the tertiary level is the University Grants Commission (India), which enforces its standards, advises the government, and helps coordinate between the centre and the state. 40] Accreditation for higher learning is overseen by 12 autonomous institutions established by the University Grants Commission. [41] As of 2009, India has 20 central universities, 215 state universities, 100 deemed universities, 5 institutions established and functioning under the State Act, and 13 institutes which are of national importance. [40] Other institut ions include 16000 colleges, including 1800 exclusive women's colleges, functioning under these universities and institutions. 40] The emphasis in the tertiary level of education lies on science and technology. [42] Indian educational institutions by 2004 consisted of a large number of technology institutes. [43] Distance learning is also a feature of the Indian higher education system. [43] Some institutions of India, such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), have been globally acclaimed for their standard of education. [43] The IITs enroll about 8000 students annually and the alumni have contributed to both the growth of the private sector and the public sectors of India. 44] Besides top rated universities which provide highly competitive world class education to their pupil, India is also home to many universities which have been founded with the sole objective of making easy money. Regulatory authorities like UGC and AICTE have been trying very hard to extirpate the me nace of private universities which are running courses without any affiliation or recognition. Students from rural and semi urban background often fall prey to these institutes and colleges. [45][dead link] [edit] Technical education From the first Five Year Plan onwards India's emphasis was to develop a pool of scientifically inclined manpower. [46] India's National Policy on Education (NPE) provisioned for an apex body for regulation and development of higher technical education, which came into being as the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in 1987 through an act of the Indian parliament. [47] At the level of the centre the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Information Technology are deemed of national importance. 47] The Indian Institutes of Management are also among the nation's premier education facilities. [47] Several Regional Engineering Colleges (REC) have been converted into National Institutes of Technology. [47] The UGC has inter-university centres at a number of locations throughout India to promote common research, e. g. the Nuclear Science Centre at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. [48] [edit] Literacy Main article: Literacy in India According to the Census of 2001, â€Å"every person above the age of 7 years who can read and write in any language is said to be literate†. According to this criterion, the 2001 survey holds the National Literacy Rate to be around 64. 84%. [49] Government statistics of 2001 also hold that the rate of increase in literacy is more in rural areas than in urban areas. [49] Female literacy was at a national average of 53. 63% whereas the male literacy was 75. 26%. [49] Within the Indian states, Kerala has shown the highest literacy rates of 90. 02% whereas Bihar averaged lower than 50% literacy, the lowest in India. [49] The 2001 statistics also indicated that the total number of ‘absolute non-literates' in the country was 304 million. 49] [edit] Attainment World Bank statistics found that fewer than 40 percent of adolescents in India attend secondary schools. [2] The Economist reports that half of 10-year-old rural children could not read at a basic level, over 60% were unable to do division, and half dropped out by the age 14. [50] Only one in ten young people have access to tertiary education. [2] Out of those who re ceive higher education, Mercer Consulting estimates that only a quarter of graduates are â€Å"employable†. [51] An optimistic estimate is that only one in five job-seekers in India has ever had any sort of vocational training. [52] [edit] Private education According to current estimates, 80% of all schools are government schools[30] making the government the major provider of education. However, because of poor quality of public education, 27% of Indian children are privately educated. [53] According to some research, private schools often provide superior results at a fraction of the unit cost of government schools. 50][54][55] However, others have suggested that private schools fail to provide education to the poorest families, a selective being only a fifth of the schools and have in the past ignored Court orders for their regulation[56] In their favour, it has been pointed out that private schools cover the entire curriculum and offer extra-curricular activities such as science fairs, general knowledge, sports, music and drama. [53] The pupil teacher ratios are much better in private schoo ls (1:31 to 1:37 for government schools and more teachers in private schools are female. 57] There is some disgreement over which system has better educated teachers. According to the latest DISE survey, the percentage of untrained teachers (paratechers) is 54. 91% in private, compared to 44. 88% in government schools and only 2. 32% teachers in unaided schools receive inservice training compared to 43. 44% for government schools. The competition in the school market is intense, yet most schools make profit. [53] Even the poorest often go to private schools despite the fact that government schools are free. A study found that 65% of schoolchildren in Hyderabad's slums attend private schools. 55] Private schools are often operating illegally. A 2001 study found that it takes 14 different licenses from four different authorities to open a private school in New Delhi and could take years if done legally. [55] However, operation of unrecognized schools has been made illegal under the Ri ght to Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act[31] which has also significantly simplified the process of obtaining recognition. [edit] Women's Education Girls in school near Baroda, Gujarat. See also: Women in India Women have much lower literacy rate than men. Far fewer girls are enrolled in the schools, and many of them drop out. [58] According to a 1998 report by U. S. Department of Commerce, the chief barrier to female education in India are inadequate school facilities (such as sanitary facilities), shortage of female teachers and gender bias in curriculum (majority of the female characters being depicted as weak and helpless)[59] The number of literate women among the female population of India was between 2-6% from the British Raj onwards to the formation of the Republic of India in 1947. [60] Concerted efforts led to improvement from 15. 3% in 1961 to 28. % in 1981. [60] By 2001 literacy for women had exceeded 50% of the overall female population, though these statistics were still very low compared to world standards and even male literacy within India. [61] Recently the Indian government has launched Saakshar Bharat Mission for Female Literacy. This mission aims to bring down female illiteracy by half of its present level. Sita An antha Raman outlines the progress of women's education in India:Since 1947 the Indian government has tried to provide incentives for girls’ school attendance through programs for midday meals, free books, and uniforms. This welfare thrust raised primary enrollment between 1951 and 1981. In 1986 the National Policy on Education decided to restructure education in tune with the social framework of each state, and with larger national goals. It emphasized that education was necessary for democracy, and central to the improvement of women’s condition. The new policy aimed at social change through revised texts, curricula, increased funding for schools, expansion in the numbers of schools, and policy improvements. Emphasis was placed on expanding girls’ occupational centers and primary education; secondary and higher education; and rural and urban institutions. The report tried to connect problems like low school attendance with poverty, and the dependence on girls for housework and sibling day care. The National Literacy Mission also worked through female tutors in villages. Although the minimum marriage age is now eighteen for girls, many continue to be married much earlier. Therefore, at the secondary level, female dropout rates are high. [62] Sita Anantha Raman also maintains that while the educated Indian women workforce maintains professionalism, the men outnumber them in most fields and, in some cases, receive higher income for the same positions. 62] [edit] Rural education A primary school in a village in Madhya Pradesh. Following independence, India viewed education as an effective tool for bringing social change through community development. [63] The administrative control was effectively initiated in the 1950s, when, in 1952, the government grouped villages under a Community Development Block—an authority under national p rogramme which could control education in up to 100 villages. [63] A Block Development Officer oversaw a geographical area of 150 square miles which could contain a population of as many as 70000 people. [63] Setty and Ross elaborate on the role of such programmes, themselves divided further into individual-based, community based, or the Individual-cum-community-based, in which microscopic levels of development are overseen at village level by an appointed worker:The community development programmes comprise agriculture, animal husbandry, cooperation, rural industries, rural engineering (consisting of minor irrigation, roads, buildings), health and sanitation including family welfare, family planning, women welfare, child care and nutrition, education including adult education, social education and literacy, youth welfare and community organisation. In each of these areas of development there are several programmes, schemes and activities which are additive, expanding and tapering off covering the total community, some segments, or specific target populations such as small and marginal farmers, artisans, women and in general people below the poverty line. [63] Despite some setbacks the rural education programmes continued throughout the 1950s, with support from private institutions. [64] A sizable network of rural education had been established by the time the Gandhigram Rural Institute was established and 5, 200 Community Development Blocks were established in India. [65] Nursery schools, elementary schools, secondary school, and schools for adult education for women were set up. [65] The government continued to view rural education as an agenda that could be relatively free from bureaucratic backlog and general stagnation. 65] However, in some cases lack of financing balanced the gains made by rural education institutes of Ind ia. [66] Some ideas failed to find acceptability among India's poor and investments made by the government sometimes yielded little results. [66] Today, government rural schools remain poorly funded and understaffed. Several foundations, such as the Rural Development Foundation (Hyderabad), actively build high-quality rural schools, but the number of students served is small. [edit] Issues One study found out that 25% of public sector teachers and 40% of public sector medical workers were absent during the survey. Among teachers who were paid to teach, absence rates ranged from 15% in Maharashtra to 71% in Bihar. Only 1 in nearly 3000 public school head teachers had ever dismissed a teacher for repeated absence. [67] A study on teachers by Kremer etc. found that ‘only about half were teaching, during unannounced visits to a nationally representative sample of government primary schools in India. ‘. [67] Modern education in India is often criticized for being based on rote learning rather than problem solving. BusinessWeek denigrates the Indian curriculum saying it revolves around rote learning. [68] and ExpressIndia suggests that students are focused on cramming. [69] A study of 188 government-run primary schools found that 59% of the schools had no drinking water and 89% had no toilets. 70] 2003-04 data by National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration revealed that only 3. 5% of primary schools in Bihar and Chhattisgarh had toilets for girls. In Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, rates were 12-16%. [71] Fake degre es are a problem. One raid in Bihar found 0. 1 million fake certificates. [72] In February 2009, the University Grant Commission found 19 fake institutions operating in India. [73] Only 16% of manufacturers in India offer in-service training to their employees, compared with over 90% in China. [74] [edit] Initiatives Boys seated in school near Baroda, Gujarat. The madrasah of Jamia Masjid mosque in Srirangapatna. Following India's independence a number of rules were formulated for the backward Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes of India, and in 1960 a list identifying 405 Scheduled Castes and 225 Scheduled Tribes was published by the central government. [75] An amendment was made to the list in 1975, which identified 841 Scheduled Castes and 510 Scheduled Tribes. [75] The total percentage of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes combined was found to be 22. 5 percent with the Scheduled Castes accounting for 17 percent and the Scheduled Tribes accounting for the remaining 7. 5 percent. [75] Following the report many Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes increasingly referred to themselves as Dalit, a Marathi language terminology used by B. R. Ambedkar which literally means â€Å"oppressed†. [75] The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are provided for in many of India's educational programmes. [76] Special reservations are also provided for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India, e. g. a reservation of 15% in Kendriya Vidyalaya for Scheduled Castes and another reservation of 7. 5% in Kendriya Vidyalaya for Scheduled Tribes. [76] Similar reservations are held by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in many schemes and educational facilities in India. [76] The remote and far-flung regions of North East India are provided for under the Non Lapsible Central pool of Resources (NLCPR) since 1998-1999. [77] The NLCPR aims to provide funds for infrastructure development in these remote areas. [77] The government objective for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), started in 2001, is to provide education to children between 6–14 years by 2010. [78] The programme focuses specially on girls and children with challenged social or financial backgrounds. [78] The SSA also aims to provide practical infrastructure and relevant source material in form of free textbooks to children in remote areas. [78] The SSA also aims at widening computer education in rural areas. [78] SSA is currently working with Agastya International Foundation – an educational NGO – to augment its efforts in making science curriculum current and exciting. However, some objectives of the SSA, e. g. enrollment of all children under the scheme in schools by 2005 remain unfulfilled. 78] Education Guarantee Scheme and Alternative and Innovative Education are components of the SSA. [78] Women from remote, underdeveloped areas or from weaker social groups in Andra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnat aka, Kerala, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, fall under the Mahila Samakhya Scheme, initiated in 1989. [79] Apart from provisions for education this programme also aims to raise awareness by holding meetings and seminars at rural levels. [79] The government allowed 340 million rupees during 2007–08 to carry out this scheme over 83 districts including more than 21, 000 villages. [79] Currently there are 68 Bal Bhavans and 10 Bal Kendra affiliated to the National Bal Bhavan. 80] The scheme involves educational and social activities and recognising children with a marked talent for a particular educational stream. [80] A number of programmes and activities are held under this scheme, which also involves cultural exchanges and participation in several international forums. [80] India's minorities, especially the ones considered ‘educationally backward' by the government, are provided for in the 1992 amendment of the Indian National Policy on Education (NPE). [81] T he government initiated the Scheme of Area Intensive Programme for Educationally Backward Minorities and Scheme of Financial Assistance or Modernisation of Madarsa Education as part of its revised Programme of Action (1992). 81] Both these schemes were started nationwide by 1994. [81] In 2004 the Indian parliament allowed an act which enabled minority education establishments to seek university affiliations if they passed the required norms. [81] [edit] Central government involvement [edit] Budget As a part of the tenth Five year Plan (2002–2007), the central government of India outlined an expenditure of 65. 6% of its total education budget of Rs. 438250 million, or (Rs. 287500 million) on elementary education; 9. 9% (Rs. 43250 million) on secondary education; 2. 9% (Rs. 12500 million) on adult education; 9. 5% (Rs. 41765 million) on higher education; 10. 7% (Rs. 7000 million) on technical education; and the remaining 1. 4% (Rs. 6235 million) on miscellaneous education schem es. [82] According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), India has the lowest public expenditure on higher education per student in the world. [83] See also: Education in India Five Year Plan Expenditure [edit] Public Expenditure on Education in India In recent times, several major announcements were made for developing the poor state of affairs in education sector in India, the most notable ones being the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The announcements are; (a) To progressively increase expenditure on education to around 6 percent of GDP. (b) To support this increase in expenditure on education, and to increase the quality of education, there would be an imposition of an education cess over all central government taxes. (c) To ensure that no one is denied of education due to economic backwardness and poverty. (d) To make right to education a fundamental right for all children in the age group 6–14 years. (e) To universalize education through its flagship programmes such as Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meal. However, even after five years of implementation of NCMP, not much progress has been done on these promises or announcements. The public expenditure on education has actually declined from around 3. 23 percent of GDP in 2000-2001 to 2. 88 percent in the recent times. As a proportion of total government expenditure, it has declined from around 11. 1 percent in 2000-2001 to around 9. 98 percent during UPA rule. A policy brief issued by [Network for Social Accountability (NSA)][84] titled â€Å"[NSA Response to Education Sector Interventions in Union Budget: UPA Rule and the Education Sector][85]† provides significant revelation to this fact. Due to a declining priority of education in the public policy paradigm in India, there has been an exponential growth in the private expenditure on education also. As per the available information, the private out of pocket expenditure by the working class population for the education of their children in India has increased by around 1150 percent or around 12. 5 times over the last decade]. [86] [edit] Legislative framework Article 45, of the Constitution of India originally stated:â€Å"The State shall endeavour to provide, within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years. [21]† This article was a directive principle of state policy within India, effectively meaning that it was within a set of rules that were meant to be followed in spirit and the government could not be held to court if the actual letter was not followed. 87] However, the enforcement of this directive principle became a matter of debate since this principle held obvious emotive and practical value, and was legally the only directive principle within the Indian constitution to have a time limit. [87] Following initiatives by the Supreme Court of India during the 1990s the Ninety-third amendment bill suggested three separate amendments to the Indian constitution:[88] The constitution of India was amended to include a new article, 21A, which read:â⠂¬Å"The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in a such manner as the State may, by law, determine. [89]† Article 45 was proposed to be substituted by the article which read:â€Å"Provision for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years: The State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of sixteen years. [89]† Another article, 51A, was to additionally have the clause:â€Å"†¦ a parent or guardian [shall] provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, [a] ward between the age of six to fourteen years. [89]† The bill was passed unanimously in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament, on November 28, 2001. [90] It was later passed by the upper house—the Rajya Sabha—on May 14, 2002. [90] After being signed by the President of India the Indian constitution was amended formally for the eighty sixth time and the bill came into effect. 90] Since then those between the age of 6–14 have a fundamental right to education. [ 91] Article 46 of the Constitution of India holds that:â€Å"The State shall promote, with special care, the education and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of social exploitation'. [49]† Other provisions for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes can be found in Articles 330, 332, 335, 338–342. [49] Both the 5th and the 6th Schedules of the Constitution also make special provisions for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. [49

How English Language Learners By Using Technology - 809 Words

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