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Kulwinder Pal, Lovely Professional University Unit 15 : Universalization of Elementary Education : Concept and Problems

Unit 15 : Universalization of Elementary Education : Notes

Concept and Problems

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
15.1 Concept of Universalisation of Elementary Education
15.2 Problems of Universalization of Education and their Remedies
15.3 Summary
15.4 Keywords
15.5 Review Questions
15.6 Further Readings

Objectives

The Objectives of this unit can be summarized as below:
• to explain universal elementary education.
• to describe about the Problems of Universalization of Education and their Remedies

Introduction

Free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of fourteen years is the Constitutional
commitment in India. At the time of adoption of the Constitution in 1950, the aim was to
achieve the goal of Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE) within the next ten years
i.e. by 1960. Keeping in view the educational facilities available in the country at that time, the
goal was far too ambitious to achieve within a short span of ten years. Hence, the target date
was shifted a number of times. Till 1960, all efforts were focused on provision of schooling
facilities. It was only after the near realization of the goal of access that other components of
UEE, such as universal enrolment and retention, started receiving attention of planners and
policy makers. It is the Quality of Education, which is at present in the focus in all programmes
relating to elementary education in general and primary education in particular.

15.1 Concept of Universalisation of Elementary Education
Education is the basic requirement for success of democracy and progress of country.
Universalization of elementary education is a provision to provide free educational opportunities
to all children of the society irrespective of caste, creed and sex.
Article 45 of the Indian Constitution directed that "The state shall endeavor 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".
Since independence many steps have been taken and different commissions and committees
have given suggestions to achieve universalization of Primary Education. But it is still far from
the hope and the national target.
15.1.1 Historical Background
Compulsory provision of Universal Elementary Education is an extremely modern concept. No
solid efforts were made till the beginning of the 20th century. The earliest attempt during

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