Education Commission or Kothari Commission 1964-66

1. EDUCATION COMMISSION 1964-66
(KOTHARI COMMISSION)

2.  Chairman : Dr D.S.Kothari, the then Chairman of
University Grants Commission.
 The third commission in post-independent India.
 Government Resolution setting up the Education
Commission on July 14, 1964
 began its task on October 2,1964 and submitted its
report to the Government on June 29,1966.
 Report entitled- Education and National Development
 17members in which 5 foreign experts from countries
such as USA, U.K, USSR, France and Japan.

3. FEATURES:
1) It tried to cover every field and aspect of the entire
educational system.
2) Its firm belief that education is the most powerful
instrument of national development.
The opening sentence of the commission, the
destiny of India is being shaped in her classrooms,
denotes the value of education that determine the level
of prosperity, welfare and future of the country.

4. MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS
1) AIMS OF EDUCATION
Education should be related to the life, needs and
aspirations of the people so that the national objectives may
be achieved.
(a) Education for increasing productivity
 Make science education an integral part of school course.
 Work experience
 Vocational education to meet the needs of industry,
commerce, agriculture etc.
 Improvement of scientific and technical education and
research at the university stage.

5. (b) Education for social and national integration
 Common school system
 Social service programmes
 Teaching of languages, literature, philosophy and history
of India.
(C) Education for modernization
 Adopting new methods of teaching.
 Proper development of intrinsic attitudes and values and
building essential skills like independent training.
 Emphasizing teaching of vocational subjects and science.

6. (d) Development of Democracy
The success of democracy depends on the
enlightened citizenship and enlightened citizenship is
based on the education of the masses. Education is the
most powerful instrument to make the people aware of
their rights and responsibilities.
(e) Cultivation of social, moral and spiritual values
 Education system should emphasize the development of
fundamental, social, moral and spiritual values.
 The commission recommended the study of major
religions of the world.

7. 2) EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE AND STANDARD
 General education should last for a period of 10 years.( 4
years lower primary, 3 years of higher primary and 3 years
of lower secondary education).
 Prior to general education, pre-primary education should
also be given.
 The theme of higher secondary education should be fixed
for 2 years.
 After degree course there should be a post graduate course
of three years. The graduate course should be extended
from two to three years.
 The number of instructional days in a year should be
increased to about 234(39weeks) for schools and 216 (36
weeks)for colleges and pre-primary schools.
 Holidays should be minimized. No need to close an
educational institution on a religious holiday.

8. 3) TEACHER STATUS
 It is necessary to improve the economic, social and
professional status of the teachers.
 The scale of pay of teachers of Government and non-
Government schools should be the same.
 A State Board of Teachers’ Education should be
established in each state.
 The period of training of teachers with secondary course
should be two years. The course of M.Ed should be 1-1/2
years.
 The Teachers of the training colleges should have two
degrees namely, the Master’s Degree and Degree in
Education
 The students of the training institutions should be given free
education.

9. 4) CURRICULUM
Lower Primary- One language: Mother tongue or
regional language. Mathematics, Study of environment,
Creative activities, Work Experience, Health Education
etc.
Higher Primary- Two languages: Mother tongue or
regional language, Hindi or English.
Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Work
Experience, Social Service, Physical Education,
Education in moral and spiritual values etc.

10. Lower Secondary- Three languages: In non-Hindi speaking areas
:Mother tongue or regional language, Hindi in higher or lower
standard, English in higher or lower standard. In Hindi
speaking areas: Mother tongue or regional language, English or
Hindi, One modern Indian language besides Hindi.
Mathematics, Science, Art, Work Experience, Physical
Education, Education of moral and spiritual values, Civics,
History, Geography etc.
Higher Secondary-Any two languages, which should include any
modern Indian language, any modern foreign language and any
classical language.
Any three subjects to be selected from the following:
One additional language, History, Geography, Economics,
Logic, Psychology, Art, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology,
Home Science, Work Experience, Physical Education, Arts and
Crafts, Education in moral and spiritual values etc.

11. OTHER MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS…
 Minimum scales of pay for teachers
 Retirement age
 Maximum utilisation of school facilities
 College to be related to a number of schools
 Free textbooks at the primary stage
 Adequate number of scholarships
 Residential facilities in schools
 Education of the handicapped
 Education of the backward classes
 Freedom to schools for experimental curricula

12.  Establishment of school complexes
 The Indian Education Service
 Co-curricular activities
 Guidance and counselling
 Evaluation