Report No. 165
District Primary Education Programme
5.2.2. In 1992, Parliament approved an updated National Policy on Education. The new policy opted for giving a priority for girl's education and improved quality in primary education. It also called for an integrated and decentralised approach to developing primary education systems, with a focus on building the capacity of districts to plan and manage primary education. Thus in 1992 constitutional (73rd and 74th) amendments were carried out which visualised the increase in the responsibility and the authority of local governments. These amendments gave the control of primary, secondary, adult, non-formal, technical and vocational education to Panchayati Raj Bodies.
The Central Advisory Board of Education issued a special report as to how to decentralise the management of education, detailing the structure, role, functions and powers of local bodies, with the objective of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of schools and to reducing demoralisation at the local level (Ministry of HRD, 1993). It is understood that almost all States have passed enabling legislation for implementing the said constitutional amendments. Administrative guidelines for decentralisation are also being issued1.
1. The World Bank Publication: Primary Education in India, March, 1997, Chapter 1.
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