EDUCATION

Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

The National Policy on Education, which has been designed at national level to see that a national system of education is created and all imbalances and disparities are removed in all sectors of education, is now being implemented in the State. The state government is firmly determined to achieve 100% enrolment of the children in the age group 6-14 by the end of 1999.

Under this policy, the state has covered 98.5% of population under schooling facilities. The scheme of free education to girls at all levels in the state has been introduced from 1985-86. Besides, various incentive schemes like special incentives to children of tribal areas and parents of—primitive groups, scholarships, financial assistance to SC/ST and backward class students and talented girls, coaching classes for weak students, nonformal education, training and its instruction material, Jan Shikshan Abhiyan, incentive rants to voluntary agencies are also in operation. Adult education programme is also being intensively implemented in the state.

There are at present about 38,950 primary schools, 1,916 higher secondary schools and 50 technical institutions in the state. The State has almost achieved the target of complete universal enrolment for the age group 11-14 (Classes I to V) and 85% for the age group 11-14 (Classes VI toVIII). There are 9 universities and one demand University in the state. Special emphasis has been laid on university education on qualitative improvement and diversification of courses, which are employment-oriented.

Educational Institutions

The number of primary, secondary and higher educational institutions were 40,258, 8,122 and 655 respectively at the end of 1998.