Chapter 5: Education Class 9 • Maharashtra Board
🏫 Primary • 🏢 Secondary • 🎓 Higher • 🔬 Research • 📡 Distance & EdTech
📚 Introduction
This chapter reviews major stages, policies and institutions shaping India’s education—from primary to higher education, and key research institutes. It offers a country-wide picture of how education expanded after independence.
💡 1960: After Maharashtra State formation, a common curriculum (Std I–VII) was drafted under Principal Sayyad Rauf (S.T. College, Mumbai).
🔢 Literacy Progress (1951 onwards)
1951 literacy was ~17%. Steady increase reflected nationwide efforts.
| Census Year | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Literacy | 34% | 43% | 52% | 64% |
- Rising literacy demanded remedial schemes and systemic reforms.
🏫 Primary Education (Age 6–14)
Operation Blackboard (1988)
- Upgraded school infrastructure: 2 classrooms, toilets, blackboard, maps, lab kits, small library, playground & sports gear.
- Minimum 2 teachers (one female); boosted school standards nationwide.
Expansion (1994)
- For schools with >100 enrolment: 1 extra classroom + 1 more teacher.
- Priority: girls’ schools, SC/ST-majority schools, rural areas.
- States to ensure 50% female teachers.
District Primary Education Programme (DPEP, 1994)
- Universalisation of primary education; implemented in 7 States incl. Maharashtra.
- Targets: 100% attendance, reduce drop-outs, focus on girls and children with disabilities.
- Components: research & evaluation, alternative education, community awareness.
Mid-Day Meal (1995)
- Nutritional support to children to improve enrolment & retention.
💡 Community Pioneers:
• Tarabai Modak – Anganwadis for Adivasi children; learning-by-doing, kuranshalas, vocational focus.
• Anutai Wagh – Kosbad Project (Thane): crèches, nurseries, primary schools, adult education, balsevika training.
• Tarabai Modak – Anganwadis for Adivasi children; learning-by-doing, kuranshalas, vocational focus.
• Anutai Wagh – Kosbad Project (Thane): crèches, nurseries, primary schools, adult education, balsevika training.
🏢 Secondary & Higher Secondary Reforms
Policy Leadership
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Education Minister): set up University Education Commission (1948) → later led to a separate Secondary Commission.
- Mudaliar Commission (1952–53): Studied curriculum, pedagogy, medium; proposed Higher Secondary structure.
- Maharashtra State Board (Pune, 1966): conducts Std X & XII exams; publishes Shikshan Sankraman.
Kothari Commission (1964)
- Recommended 10+2+3 pattern; uniform national system; mother tongue + Hindi + English.
- Promoted continuing/adult education, correspondence, open universities.
- Higher budget focus for SC/ST education.
- Maharashtra adopted 10+2+3 in 1972; first Std X Board exam in 1975.
🎯 Objectives of Education (Kothari)
| Modernisation | Democracy | Education & Productivity | Social/National Integration | Values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science & tech, contemporary curricula | Citizenship, participation | Skill-linked learning | Unity in diversity | Social, moral, spiritual |
🎓 Higher Education & Supporting Bodies
University Education Commission (1948)
- Chair: Dr S. Radhakrishnan; improved standards, coordination, funding.
- Inspired country-wide university reforms; Countrywide Classroom via Doordarshan.
🎨 1965: Maharashtra Art Department formed—policy for art education; conducts school drawing grade exams.
NCERT (1961) & SCERTs
- NCERT (Delhi): research, teacher training, curriculum & textbooks (with CBSE), TLMs, talent search.
- MSCERT (Pune, 1984): academic authority—primary standards, teacher in-service, syllabus & evaluation, vocational guidance; publishes Jeevan Shikshan.
- Balbharati (Pune, 1967): textbooks for Std I–XII in 8 languages; publishes Kishor.
National Policy on Education (1986) → Primary Curriculum (1988)
- Common core curriculum; equal opportunity across States with local flexibility.
- Competency-based Curriculum (1995) under Dr R. H. Dave: minimum learning levels (Language, Math, EVS) up to Std V.
📡 Satellite Education & Open Universities
SITE & EDUSAT
- SITE (1975): ISRO’s Space Applications Centre led satellite instructional TV; key role of Eknath Chitnis.
- Laid foundation for rural educational broadcasting; later EDUSAT strengthened e-learning.
IGNOU (1985)
- Idea germinated in 1970 Open University seminar (with UNESCO).
- Open & distance learning; concessions in age/eligibility; 1990: AV programmes via Akashvani & Doordarshan.
- 58 training centres in India & 41 abroad; 1000+ programmes.
🧭 YCMOU (1989, Nashik): Maharashtra’s state open university expanding access.
🔬 Research & Professional Institutes
CSIR (1950)
- Promoted research & industry linkages; reduced imports.
- Contributions: indelible ink for elections; drugs for malaria, filariasis, TB; water purification; faster bamboo growth.
- First Indian use of DNA fingerprinting; genetics of Andaman tribes; earthquake early warning.
- Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL): multilingual encyclopedia; patents defense (neem, turmeric, rice varieties).
Mathematics & Computing
- NIRMPS (1962, TN): advanced maths & physical sciences.
- ISIJU computer (1969): India’s first indigenous computer.
- TCS (1974): early software export; seeded IT industry.
- C-DAC (1988, Pune): PARAM-8000 supercomputer (1991) led by Dr Vijay Bhatkar.
BARC
- Research: nuclear & solid-state physics, spectroscopy, chemical & life sciences.
- Trains specialists for nuclear reactors; supports peaceful atomic applications.
IITs & IIMs
- IIT Kharagpur (1951) first; later Powai (Mumbai), Chennai, Kanpur, Delhi became IITs (global support: USSR/USA/Germany/UNESCO).
- Entrance-based, low fees, reservations; brain drain in 1970s eased after 1990; IIT Guwahati (1994), IIT Roorkee (2001).
- IIMs: Ahmedabad (with HBS support), then Kolkata, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, Shillong.
FTII (Pune)
- Systematic training in film-making: direction, editing, acting; legacy of Prabhat Film Company.
NID (Ahmedabad, 1961)
- Industrial & communication design; early works: transistor radio, calculator; logos—Indian Airlines, State Bank of India.
🩺 Medical Education & Research
ICMR (1949)
- Coordinates & funds medical research; 26 centres nationwide.
- Contributions: control of TB, leprosy and other diseases.
AIIMS
- Premier institute for UG/PG medical education & research; specialty centres (cardiac, neuro, ophthalmic).
- Affordable patient care; nursing colleges; strong labs & hospitals.
⚕️ Medical Council of India (1958 restructure): standards, supervision & inspection for medical education.
Indian Systems & Cancer Research
- 1969: Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (later split in 1979 into CCRH, CCRUM, CCRYN).
- ACTREC (Tata Memorial Centre): national hub for cancer treatment, research, education.
🌾 Agricultural Research
- IARI: origins 1905; university status 1958.
- Work in soil science, agri-sciences, economic botany; major research on wheat, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables.
- Key achievement: methods for multiple cropping boosting farm output.
- Maintains India’s largest agri library (Delhi).
🧠 Quick Revision (Exam-Ready)
| Theme | Key Points | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Operation Blackboard (1988); DPEP (1994); Mid-Day Meal (1995) | Access + Infrastructure + Nutrition |
| Secondary | Mudaliar (1952–53); Kothari (1964) → 10+2+3; MSBSHSE (1966) | Structure & national alignment |
| Curriculum | NPE (1986); Primary Curriculum (1988); Competency-based (1995) | Common core with flexibility |
| Distance | SITE/EDUSAT; IGNOU (1985); YCMOU (1989) | Reaching the unreached |
| Research | CSIR, BARC, C-DAC (PARAM), ICMR/AIIMS, IARI | Science-driven development |
| Institutes | IITs, IIMs, FTII, NID, NCERT/SCERT, Balbharati | Talent pipeline & nation-building |
✅ Conclusion
Post-independence India built a vast educational architecture—schools to open universities, curriculum reforms, and world-class research institutes. Together, they expanded access, ensured equity, and powered scientific and economic progress.
📝 Chapter 5: Education – Exercises with Answers
1) Choose the correct option
- The scientist who developed the Param-8000 supercomputer is Dr Vijay Bhatkar. ✅
- The magazine Jeevan Shikshan is published by MSCERT (Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research & Training). ✅
- The educational institution called IIT is famous for education in the area of Engineering. ✅
2) Activity – Complete the table
| Work | Individual (Answer) |
|---|---|
| First Education Minister of India | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad |
| Chairman of the University Education Commission (1948) | Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |
3) Explain the following statements with reasons
(1) The District Primary Education Programme was undertaken.
- To universalise primary education with special focus on girls and children with disabilities.
- To achieve 100% attendance and reduce drop-outs through community awareness and support.
- To improve quality via research, evaluation, alternative schooling and teacher support.
(2) The NCERT was established.
- To provide national guidance on school education—curriculum, textbooks and pedagogy.
- To conduct educational research, teacher training and develop teaching-learning materials.
- To ensure coordination with CBSE and support State SCERTs for maintaining standards.
(3) The farmers were benefited by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute.
- IARI developed improved crop varieties (wheat, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables) and multiple-cropping methods.
- Provided advances in soil science, plant protection and farm practices that raised productivity.
- Extension of research to fields helped farmers increase yields and incomes.
4) Write short notes on
(1) Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Established in 1985 to expand open and distance learning. Offers flexible eligibility, wide programme choices, and audio-visual/distance support (via Akashvani & Doordarshan). Operates centres across India and abroad to take higher education to the masses.
(2) Kothari Commission (1964–66)
Recommended the 10+2+3 pattern, a uniform national system, and inclusion of mother tongue, Hindi and English. Emphasised adult/continuing education, correspondence and open universities, plus increased support for SC/ST education.
(3) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
A premier research institute in nuclear and allied sciences—nuclear & solid-state physics, spectroscopy, chemical and life sciences. Trains specialists for nuclear reactors and supports peaceful applications of atomic energy.
(4) Balbharati
Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production & Curriculum Research (1967, Pune). Prepares textbooks for Std I–XII in multiple languages and publishes the children’s magazine Kishor. Aligns texts with State & national curricular reforms.
5) Answer the following questions in detail
(1) Which programmes were included in the Operation Blackboard scheme?
- Minimum infrastructure: at least two classrooms and toilets.
- Teacher provisioning: minimum two teachers (with at least one female).
- Basic learning resources: blackboard, maps, lab apparatus, a small library.
- Child development: playground and sports equipment.
- Expansion (1994): extra classroom & teacher for schools with >100 enrolment; priority to girls’ schools, SC/ST-majority and rural schools; States to ensure 50% female teachers.
(2) What role do the agriculture schools/colleges play in the development of agriculture?
- Provide scientific education in agronomy, soil science, plant breeding and protection.
- Conduct research on improved seeds, cropping systems and farm technologies.
- Offer extension services, demonstrations and farmer trainings to spread innovations.
- Help with soil testing, input management and sustainable practices—raising yields & incomes.
- Collaborate with institutes like IARI to translate lab results into field solutions.
(3) Describe with examples the progress that India has made in the field of medicine.
- ICMR (1949): built 26 centres; research that aided control of TB, leprosy and other diseases.
- AIIMS: premier UG/PG medical education, advanced research, affordable treatment; specialty centres (cardiac, neuro, ophthalmic), nursing education.
- Medical Council of India (1958 restructure): set standards, supervision and inspection for medical education.
- Indian systems: national councils for Unani, Homoeopathy, Yoga & Naturopathy to develop traditional medicine.
- ACTREC (Tata Memorial): national hub for cancer treatment, research and education.
(4) Write a note on the curricular and co-curricular activities conducted in your school.
(Model answer – customise with your school’s details)
- Curricular: Classes aligned to State syllabus; lab work (Science), practicals (IT), projects (EVS/History/Geography), language enrichment and continuous evaluation.
- Co-curricular: Sports & yoga; arts (music, dance, drawing grade exams); clubs (eco, science, literature); NCC/NSS/Scouts & Guides; debates, elocution, quizzes; annual day & exhibitions.
- Support: Library hours, remedial teaching, career & vocational guidance, health check-ups and counselling.
- Community & values: Cleanliness drives, tree plantation, traffic awareness, celebration of Constitution Day and National Science Day.
🧠 Quick Recap (Exam-Ready)
- PARAM-8000: Dr Vijay Bhatkar • Jeevan Shikshan: MSCERT • IIT: Engineering.
- DPEP: universalise primary education; NCERT: national guidance on school ed.
- IARI: improved seeds, multiple-cropping → farmer gains.
- IGNOU / Kothari / BARC / Balbharati: pillars of access, reform, research & textbooks.