Notes

The Kothari Commission, officially known as the "National Commission on Education," was set up by the Government of India in 1964 to examine the state of education in the country and suggest improvements. The commission was chaired by Daulat Singh Kothari, an eminent physicist and educationist. The commission submitted its report in 1966, and its recommendations had a significant impact on the education system in India.

Key recommendations of the Kothari Commission (1966) included:

1. **Universal Education:** The commission emphasized the importance of providing free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14. It aimed at achieving universal elementary education.

2. **Education at Different Stages:** The commission recommended a 10+2+3 pattern of education, which means 10 years of primary and secondary education, followed by a 2-year intermediate stage and a 3-year degree program.

3. **Common School System:** The commission proposed the establishment of a common school system to reduce disparities in educational opportunities. It sought to create a uniform educational structure and curriculum.

4. **Vocational Education:** The Kothari Commission stressed the need for integrating vocational education with general education to prepare students for employment.

5. **Teacher Education:** The commission highlighted the importance of improving the quality of teacher education. It recommended the establishment of teacher training institutions and the enhancement of teacher qualifications.

6. **Medium of Instruction:** The commission addressed the issue of the medium of instruction, suggesting a three-language formula that included the mother tongue, Hindi, and English.

7. **Educational Planning:** It called for a comprehensive and integrated approach to educational planning at the national level.

The recommendations of the Kothari Commission laid the foundation for significant reforms in the education system in India. Many of its suggestions were incorporated into subsequent policy decisions and had a lasting impact on the development of education in the country.