Chidlren's University - A Synoptic Concept of the Children's University

Observation, imagination and thinking are the first beginnings of learning.

The Children's University is envisaged to have four main functions:
Research, Education, Training and Extension Services.

Endless Quest

Research

The University will, while promoting research work, lay special emphasis on the following subjects:

i.Prenatal care, including care and protection of pregnancy, health and psychological and other aspects of knowledge regarding prenatal care among parents;

ii.Medical knowledge and research in respect of prenatal care, midwifery and early stages of the growth of the child;

iii.Growth and sustenance of happy childhood, involving constant progress of the child in respect of various tender faculties of the child under protective and helpful environment, atmosphere and facilities;

iv.Studies and practical applications in respect of the development and formation of habits, manners and capacities relevant to early childhood;

v.Studies and practical applications relating to detection and remedies of defects and deficiencies - physical, sensory, cognitive, affective, and cognitive, including motor activities;

vi.Studies and practical applications relating to special gifts in

early childhood and the methods by which these gifts can be nourished and developed : similar studies in respect of Children who need special help for physical and psychological growth.

vii.Studies and practical applications in respect of creating clean, hygienic and beautiful atmosphere and environment in the home and various areas of children's activities;

viii.Studies and practical applications in respect of developing, discovering and inventing various tools, objects, dolls, pictures, and other suitable instruments that would enhance child's growth in directions that are most conducive to the sustenance of happiness, cheerfulness, security, safety, and protection of the child;

ix.Studies and practical applications of child's psychology at the most advanced levels which would also include pooling, scrutiny and utilization of the traditional knowledge contained in the vast cultural and spiritual heritage of India and other countries;

x.Utilization of the programmes and findings for developing and introducing suitable courses in psychology, sociology,

musicology, art, craft, medicine and pedagogy as also in teachers' training programmes; and

xi. Promotion of such other relevant programmes of studies and applications that would enrich care and protection of different stages of growth and development of the child.

It is also envisaged that the University will be able to establish several Councils of Research in special subjects such as follows:

1. Synthesis of child-related knowledge-systems (Physical and Medical);
2. Synthesis of child-related knowledge-systems (Psychological and Cultural);
3. Children's Philosophy, Children's Psychology, Children's Science, Children's Technology;
4. Children's rights, human rights, fundamental duties, ideal of human unity and futuristic visions;
5. Gifted children; physically and mentally challenged children;
6. National and international education;
7. Multi-linguistic abilities in respect of Indian and International languages;

8. Children's literature and films; and
9. Development of integral personality.

In addition, The University is empowered to set up and promote several Departments of Research, instruction and communication in regard to other themes, not so generic as those for the councils of research, but more specific and special as those of pre-natal education, toddlers' education, kindergarten education, primary education and secondary education and to themes relevant to stimulation for admiration for uplifting visions, sublime music, sublime forest life and beauty of nature, as also those relevant to the synthesis of powers of creativity with those of scientific realism. The University is also empowered to set up, conduct and promote a Department of Research in testing and evaluation and to support the requirements of creating a new system of testing services for the following purposes:

(i) Removing from the students the fear of the examination so that tests are available by means of computer technology as and when the students are ready for them, and even individually;

(ii) Replacing the test of memory by the test of comprehension;

(iii) Organizing tests for development of personality, sterling qualities of character, and value-oriented and skill-oriented development; and organizing tests of physical fitness.

Education and Training

As far as the functions relating to Education are concerned, the University is to conduct, under the Centre of Education, educational programmes for the University students engaged in research for M.Phil, Ph. D. and other Doctorate programmes relating to child education.

In addition, the University will undertake, organize and conduct different progammes for the purposes of teachers' training who are to be engaged in the work of teaching in affiliated, recognized and approved schools as also in Anganwadis and to provide to them not only a general programme of introduction to philosophy of children's University and to the philosophy of child-centered holistic education, but also of an elementary course related to the lessons of history, with special reference to Indian culture, its underlying spirituality, robust intellectuality and inexhaustible vitality.

Extension Services

The University will also establish, conduct and promote a Centre of Extension Services under which it will have a school for continuing education to develop and implement telecasting such programmes of social education, throughout the State, that will stimulate all-round care of the child and child education, - formal, non-formal and informal. It will also promote visits to museums and organization of exhibitions, and publications of brochures, pamphlets, occasional papers and other materials for the promotion of themes of children's care and education.

The Centre for Extension Services will also develop and promote a scheme of "Every Child Matters". In addition, it will also promote a programme through the State Government of establishment and conduct of Bal Bhavans in cities, towns and even in groups of villages. It will also stimulate the development of an organization, such as "Little Children's Theatre" so as to promote dramatic activities for the children of the State.

Special Features of the University

Affiliation will be granted under this University for any school for purposes of experimentation and implementation of innovative programmes of the University. The University will also undertake, organize and conduct educational programmes for selected, recognized and affiliated Shishu Vatikas, Bal-Mandirs and primary and secondary schools. The University will also have the power to create in the University Campus and in different parts of the State, Vidya Niketan Schools for various stages of education which will embody and crystallize the results of the research conducted by the University or elsewhere so as to spread the benefits of the work of the University to the entire system of the State. It will also provide training to teachers and will prepare teaching-learning materials for the benefit of the schools in the State.

Apart from the usual structure of the university, it will also have some new features. It is, for instance, envisaged that the University shall have a Director-General, whose functions are laid down in the Act, namely,

• to organize and conduct, subject to the approval of the Executive Council, a major national or international conference at suitable intervals, preferably every two years, on any important theme related to the tasks of the University;

• shall assist the Vice-Chancellor in the task of co-ordination of the activities of the different centers and institutions of the University;

• shall carry out the following tasks:

(i) publications of the University, including the research journal of the University;

(ii) supervision and monitoring of the schools or institutions affiliated, recognized and approved by the University;

(iii) reports to the Vice-Chancellor of the degree of the efficiency of the extension services of the University;

(iv) smooth functioning of innovative testing services of the University which will free the present examination system from the current limitations and ensure that students are tested not only through written answers, but also through interviews, supported by progress reports submitted by the students so as to provide insights into the value-oriented and skill-oriented development of the students, including physical fitness.

Empowerment of the University to set up Research Councils is a novel feature of the University.

Again, there is a new feature under which the University will have a scheme of Fellowships for 25 Fellows. These fellows will be selected by a Committee appointed by the Academic Council, provided that twelve of the Fellowships shall be awarded to junior research Fellows enrolled in the University for M.Phil, and Ph.D. research work, and that one Fellowship shall be awarded as a national fellowship. The remaining twelve fellowships shall be awarded as senior fellowships to eminent educationists of the rank of Associate Professors and Assistant Professors of any University or research Institution.

Each Fellow shall carry out research in any subject related to the themes of the councils and departments of research and deliver lectures in the University, whenever so required.

The term of a Fellow shall be of two years within which she/he shall write a thesis of fellowship on the subject assigned to her/him, provided that the Academic Council may extend the term by one year.

The salary and allowances payable to a Fellow shall be such as may be determined by the regulations of the University in accordance with the scheme of Fellowships of the University Grants Commission.

"Every Child Matters" will be a special feature of the University under its Centre of Extension Services.

The Task-Force has identified the following topics that will cerecive special attention of the Centre for Extension Services:

It will be seen that the University, as envisaged, will be a forerunner in the world as far as child care is concerned, and it will keep its gates wide open to receive all helpful ideas which will serve the highest interests of the nutrition, health and all-round development of the children