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Odisha Review February - March - 2013

Education and Biju Babu

Dr. Tushar Kanta Pattnaik

“Our educational system has not changed very much since the British days. The system as it now is only equal the youth for clerical, academic or some administrative jobs. If we want to equip our youth for creative nation building and make them look forward to the future with hope, we should quickly reorient our education system”. -.

Education is the edifice of social life and aims at the vast Odia speaking territories and tagged these the perfection of the human elements in an areas to neighbouring provinces. The Orissa individual. It brings out the best in man. It is the Division consisting of , and key parameter in the growth strategy of any districts was under the University till 1912 developing nation. All free nations of the world and then University till 1943. The have moved to higher levels of prosperity and neighbouring states to which the Odia speaking happiness through education. It is verily territories were annexed, neglected it in all aspects recognized as the lever of development as well of modern development including education. as the strongest tool of social change. It in fact Instead of extending modern education in Odia provides the individual with the major means of speaking area these state governments sought to personal enrichment as well as for social and abolish Odia from the school and courts. It was economic advancement. only after the persistent struggle this evil intention against the was foiled. The state of was born on the 1st April 1936 with a relatively poor economic and When the separate province of Orissa social condition compared to the rest of the was created in 1936, there were only 5 colleges country. Although the qualitative aspect of the including degree and intermediate, 36 high education was in good shape, the quantitative schools, 180 middle schools in the entire province growth was far from satisfactory. Odisha in fact and only about 3 lakh students were reading in was sadly neglected in modern education by the those schools and colleges. The Orissa School British rulers for a long time. They dismembered of Engineering at Cuttack and Cuttack Medical

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School were the only technical institutions in the he said “The British system of education stands State. The first task of the popular ministry formed in our way squarely because it does not teach in 1937 was to bring all the educational institutions the vital method of learning through our hands. It under one educational authority and one education has encouraged class distinction between a white- code. The State Government wanted to have a collared officer and the man who works in the separate authority as soon as possible and field and factories. All these have been impounded therefore appointed Nilakantha to prepare on us by 200 years of slavery and it is we, indeed a scheme for a separate university. alone, who have to do original thinking to breakaway from all this to build our nation as But significant progress was made prosperous and powerful as our erstwhile however in all stages of education only after masters-the British” independence, particularly after the implementation of the five year plans in the state. Primary And Higher Education : After independence and merger of ex-state areas Concerted efforts had been made by his there were 9801 primary schools with about 4.5 government to refurbish the sagging morale of lakh students in the entire state by 1950. Similarly primary education in the State. Arrangements in the wake of independence the state had only have been made for providing Mid Day meals 106 high schools and 286 middle school s with for children reading in Primary schools. The 61136 students. Even agter the establishment of programmme for training for a teachers was in 1943 there were only 11 Arts stepped up. Steps had been taken to introduce and Science colleges with an enrolments of 3885 vocational and technological bias in primary school students. The first five year plan was implemented and middle school teaching. Increasing emphasis in this background. was laid on the study of Mathematics, Physics, Plan and Biju Babu : Chemistry in secondary schools. To meet the shortage of secondary trained teacher, an In the two plan periods, there was integrated B.Ed. syllabus was devised. A new pay perceptible increase in the overall various sectors scale was announced for the aided primary school. of education. Despite of it, the deficiency was still Govt. laid down that the minimum qualification alarming as according to the 1961 census for a primary school teacher in future shall be at percentage of literate persons in Odisha was least middle English trained or class IX passed. 21.7% as against 24% for as a whole. When Biju Patnaik took over reins of state During the third plan period, particularly administration, in the sixties, all was not well in during the year 1962, a bold step was taken to the overall educational scenario of our state. There nationalize textbooks of the primary classes. were severe dearth of primary school teachers Books upto class V were prepared by the government through the Press Preparation and and trained personnel to man the primary Publication Committee consisting of eminent schools. Biju was vociferously critical of British authors of children’s books. A separate press was system of education, which we have inherited. established to print these books at . While inaugurating, the Orissa Planning Board on June 15, 1961, he made a scathing attack on our Biju Patnaik’s regime also witnessed inherited educational system from Britishers, as growth of general colleges which helped

97 Odisha Review February - March - 2013 democratization of higher education. Through his such buildings could be justified. Our mechanics encouragement, many private colleges were and engineers should be the best in the country”. established making it possible for the poor and middle class students to have the benefit of higher Biju Patnaik founded the University of education at their door step. Biju also raised a Agriculture and Technology at Bhubaneswar in number of government scholarships for 1961. Burla Engineering College and Regional meritorious students and personnel and that had College of Education at Bhubaneswar were also helped many students to carry out their studies in established during his first spell of chief ministership India and abroad. in the state. With the personal endeavour of Biju, the was established in 1962. The The very name of Technical Education primary aim of the school was to prepare boys fascinated Biju. In fact he was the zealous admirer academically, physically and mentally fit for training for technical education, which he wanted to for appointment of commissioned officer. disseminate throughout length and breadth of Odisha. Realizing the importance of technical Another eventful step taken by Mr. Biju education, he was of the view that message of Patnaik was opening up the Regional Engineering science and technology had to be taken to the College at Roukela on August 15, 1961. Biju very heart of rural Odisha. The young men and visualized this will be a technical university on women should be put through purposeful and German pattern for which seven hundred acres intensive courses of education not merely with a of the best land in was diverted for the technical bias but with a large measure of technical purpose. The college would be a regional one in content and stress that had to begin at the very which students from different states would receive beginning, i.e at the primary level and built up their training together. This will help emotional through the secondary and higher secondary integration of the engineers. The Engineering stages to the tertiary level. College with the background of the steel plant would provide opportunity for the students to learn With the arrival of Biju Patnaik in the third engineering first hand. plan period, things began to be started in a propitious note. With his impulsive propensity and A Department of Culture Affairs was electric alacrity, Biju had provided the fresh created to look after the Sahitya Academy, stimulant for augmentation of technical education Sangeet Akademi, Lalitkala Akademi, Orissa in Odisha. He exhorted the students to imbibe Sports Council and the State Museum. N.C.C. and inculcate the spirit of excellence and self training was made compulsory in all the colleges reliance while pursuing technical education. While of the state. A training centre in Cost and Work inaugurating the new building at I.T.I Accountancy was opened in , he once said “He had come to see the boys who Cuttack to impart training to students to qualify were the future of the country. Odisha must be them for diploma examination conducted by the made the best developed state in India. Now they Indian Institute of Cost and Work Accountancy. are lagged behind by a century, we shall have to The National Industries Schools : push it up by all means. The buildings were not matters of their pride. Their real pride was the Prior to the post-war period the Industries young men. If they proved their merit then only Department controlled two industries school at

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Phulbani and . The standard of instruction first plan performance. In the second five year in these two schools was very elementary in plan there had been mushrooming of Industrial nature. During the post-war planning period it was Training Institute. decided to improve their scope and to establish new schools during the subsequent plan periods. The third five year plan coincides with the Accordingly two new industries schools at arrival of Biju Patnaik who was a fervent admirer Berhampur and were set up during of technical education and urged masses to be the first plan period and the two existing schools self reliant. His Government laid stress on the at and Angul were recognized. planned expansion of the craftsmen training facilities. It was contemplated to provide 1066 When Biju Patnaik came to power in extra seats during the third plan period both by state politics, fresh impetus was given to industrial expansion of existing I.T.Is, and starting three new school. It was proposed to modernize the four I.T.Is and one Vocational Training Institute. In industries schools at Angul, , Berhampur addition to the 1066 seats, it was also proposed and Sambalpur with three trades in each school. to introduce 200 seats under the scheme of In addition to this it was proposed to introduce evening classes for industrial workers and 100 the third trade in the existing industries schools under the National Apprenticeship Training modernized during the second plan period. The scheme. Besides, other following miscellaneous third plan ceiling for this scheme was estimated at schemes had also been proposed to be Rs. 24 lakhs. During this period the total intake implemented during the third plan period according and total production item of candidate under the to the pattern laid down by the Directorate scheme in modernization of industries was General of Employment and Training , Govt. of proposed to be 1344 and 442 respectively. India.

Craftsman Training : I. Training of Craft Instructors With the first plan period ending in 1955- II. Leave Reserve and Training Reserve 56, Odisha had only one Industrial Training Instructors. Institute at Cuttack with an admission capacity of III. Headquarters Staff for Craftsmen Training 382 trainees per annum and one Vocational Scheme. Training Center with an admission capacity of 48. IV. Award of Prizes. If Orissa were to catch up with rest of the country, it was felt necessary for her to expand her facilities V. State Council for Training Vocational for craftsmen training as much possible during the Trades. second plan. Accordingly steps were taken to redouble the effort in this direction and the plan Popularization of Science : was accordingly drawn up, with the result that at Popularisation of science through general the end of second plan, Odisha had seven education was also accorded top priority and in Industrial Training Institutes and one Vocational this respect Biju Patnaik played a conspicuous Training Institute and one Vocational Training role. Like Nehru he had immense faith in and Center with a total capacity of 1620 seats commitment to science. He believed in the recording an increase of 353 per cent over the modernization of society on a scientific foundation

99 Odisha Review February - March - 2013 and he was for inculcating a scientific temper in been increased so the parents willingly send their people. One of the epoch making step he took girls to the schools. Hundred sets of quarters for for popularizing science, was the award of women teachers in primary schools were being Prize for the dissemination and popularization of provided. Special provision for sanitary blocks science. This award it may noted has accorded in primary schools for girl students was provided. respectability and status to the state of Odisha in Merit-cum-poverty scholarships were also given the international community. in much lager number to girl students. At the invitation of Biju Patnaik , Condensed Course Training for Adult Internationally known Biologist, Scientist and Women : Philosopher Prof J.B.S. Haldane accepted the post of the Directorate of Biometry and Genetics With view to expanding girls education in Laboratory at Bhubaneswar, which was set up the state, condensed courses for adult women on by the Government of Orissa. Prof Haldane, who the middle school standard was started in 10 imparted to the Indian scientific scene a certain centers in the state. Adult women taking the colour and character, became an Indian citizen in condensed course were required to appear at the 1960 and devoted himself to assisting common examination at end of the middle school development of science in this rapidly developing stage. The duration of the course is one year country. He accepted Biju Patnaik’s offer but commencing in May each year. The trainees were unfortunately this genius died in Bhubaneswar on awarded stipends at the rate of Rs. 25/- per head 1st December 1964. per month. Besides this, they were provided with free residential accommodation, free coaching and Women Education : free medical help. They were also provided with reading and writing materials. After passing the Women Education was sadly neglected common examination, the adult women taking the in Orissa before Independence. There were only condensed course are appointed as primary women’s college, 7 high schools, 21 middle school teacher. schools, 129 primary schools and 4 special schools in Orissa for girls in 1947-48. After Biju’s Second tenure as CM : independence steps were taken for expansion of women’s education by the state government When Biju Patnaik took over the state following the recommendations of Durgabai admistration in 1990, two years latter, the National Deshmukh Committee, Hansa Meheta Policy on Education and Programme of Action Committee and Bhakta Bastalam Committee. 1992 was formulated by the Govt. of India with the spirit of the world declaration on “ Education During his short stint as Chief Minister of for All” by 2000 A.D.The Govt. of Orissa under Orissa during sixties, Biju gave priority to women the Leadership of Biju Patnaik appointed a task education at all levels. His Government decided force for preparation and strengthening of the to step up all facilities which enable girl students education system. The task force put emphasis to come in large number and continue their on universalisation of elementary education, education effectively. Attendance scholarship achievement of total , equal access to were being provided and hostel facilities were education opportunities, women's education, being expanded. The school mother system had vocalization of higher education and

100 February - March - 2013 Odisha Review modernization of technical education along with involvement reflects fulfillment of govt’s improvement of the quality and content of commitment in the right direction. In addition to education at all levels. all out efforts by the govt., three UNICEF assisted projects namely ‘Early Childhood Education In order to give proper impetus to the (ECE), Project integrated Education of Disabled above objectives, Orissa govt. in collaboration (PIED) and Area Intensive Education Project with the UNICEF, UNDP and other International (AIEP) were functioning in the specific areas of Agencies had taken some good initiatives in this state to give an effective stimulant for direction. Besides keeping in view the state’s universalisation of elementary education. persistent economic and educational backwardness with the literacy rate of 49% in Under the “Operation Black Board” 1991, Govt. had initiated action for strengthening programmme, 20137 Schools covered in 1st and resource support to education, decentralizing the 2nd phases and in the 3rd phase 10342 schools management of education as also the monitoring were being covered. A “Siksha Sevak Scheme” process. A cell for “Education For All” was was introduced for providing elementary education created to implement the project by 2000 A.D. in unserved habitations. Service conditions of primary school teachers had improved. The Pre-Primary Education : minimum pension had been increased from Rs.100 to Rs.300 P.M and it was decided to The all-round development of the child count their services under the local boards for as a vital input in the process of human resource pension. With a view to tackle the problem of development had been the basic thrust of drop-out at the primary stage, 1344 non-formal educational policy of the state govt. Under the education centers had been established and were leadership of Biju Patnaik, nearly 20 thousand functioning. A special project called the South Anganwadi centres, early childhood education Orissa Education Project covering eight districts centers, crèches, Balwadis, pre-school sections Viz, , , Nawarangpur, attached to primary schools were spread over , Gajapati, , Phulbani and both rural and urban areas under ICDS, Education Kalahandi was launched in collaboration with the and P.R.Deptt., State Council for Child Welfare UNDP, German Agency for technical cooperation and State Social Welfare Advisory Board. and the central government. The project was implemented in 16 blocks during the first phase Primary Education : starting from 1993-94. Apart from universalisation The elementary stage of education in of access to early childhood education and elementary education, the project oriented to Orissa comprises primary school (Class I to V), problems of local environment and tailored to the M.E. School (Class VI and VII). Universalisation distinctive characteristic of the local population of elementary education was an avowed objective who in many cases had their own spoken of Biju Patnaik government. For this creation of languages. a separate Department of School and Mass Education and strengthening of the Directorate Secondary Education : of Elementary Education and SCERT and sustained efforts to revitalize the structure and Biju Patnaik’s government decided to quality down from the village level with mass enlarge the ambit of secondary education with

101 Odisha Review February - March - 2013 stipulation of opening at least one high school in Technical Education : each G.P. Besides the process of up-gradation of UGME schools to high schools continued in Qualitative improvement in technical 1994-95 in order to meet the growing need. The education is vital for the success of entire planning govt. had also formulated specific guidelines for process. This is an important tool of human extending the scope of recognition and grant-in- resource development. Adequate no. of aid to high schools from 1994-95. The scheme technically qualified and trained persons are for improvement of science education had required for effective tapping of state’s vast natural received adequate coverage for promoting resources. Biju Babu was an ardent admirer of scientific attitude and temper as also environmental technical education, which according to him make awareness in the younger generation. a person self reliant without running after a govt. job.Orissa had 5 Engineering colleges, 15 Higher Education and General Education : Engineering schools/poly- technics with in-take capacity of 1037, 1865 and 1520 respectively. The strategies of National Education The up grading of technical education was Policy (N.E.P.) had been adopted for imparting implemented under the World Bank Assistance necessary dynamism to higher education by way Programme which commenced from 1990-91 for of increasing the number of autonomous colleges, a period of five years. 17 Diploma courses and redesigning the courses and expansion of research 13 post Diploma courses introduced in different facilities. institutions. Proposals were made to upgrade the Till 1993-94, the state had 677 colleges, Institute of Textile Technology to the degree level with 3.49 lakh students and 13,749 teachers. Of during 1994-95. the total colleges, 58 are govt. colleges, 3 The govt. had emphasized the need for autonomous colleges, 21 lead colleges and one enlarging the scope of teaching and research in college of accountancy and management studies. the indigenous system of medical care and 254 degree colleges received grant-in-aid from treatment. Govt. also implemented programme on the Govt., 17 Govt. colleges and 11 non-govt. Integrated education for the disabled with the colleges were proposed to be restructured into opening of 399 centers. autonomous colleges. The govt. suitably amended the relevant rules to extend recognition to two degree colleges and three junior colleges in each block. Despite scale of pay, research scholarship, construction and maintenance of classrooms, hostels and laboratories P.G. courses in different subjects opened in some colleges and new Dr. Tushar Kanta Pattnaik, Head of Department, subjects offered in others. The Sanskrit Political Science, Kalinga Institute of Social Science, University, Puri accored full recognition by U.G.C. KIIT University.

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