Draft Programme of Action for Eduction for All in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Abstract

From Introduction: Free and compulsory education to all children upto 14 years of age has continued to be a goal of the Country since 1950. It is a goal that is still unrealised Initially, it was hoped that universal elementary education would be achieved by 1960. The target now has been fixed as 2000 AD. A certain urgency regarding universalisation of elementary education made itself felt after the National Policy of Education (NPE), 1986 declared that highest priority would be given to ensuring education to all children 6 - 1 4 years of age The programme of Action (POA) to the NPE,that came on its heels , recommended several centrally assisted schemes in the elementary education sector that, despite it being the middle of the with Five Year Plan, were sanctioned almost immediately by the Centre The World Conference on Education for all (1990), the review of the National Policy of Education and Programme of Action (1992) and the education for All Summit in New Delhi of the Nine Most Populous Countries in the World (1993) followed one upon the other, each contributing to highlight the urgency for Education for All. At about the same time, the country changed its economic policies, liberalising the economy but advocating the creation of a social safety net that included primary education The Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the National Development Council called specially to discuss Literacy and Education for All (February, 1994) and committing himself to six percent of the G.D.P. on Education, called upon all states to ensure that Education for All is reached by 2000 AD.