Whereas freedom from ignorance is one of the essential freedoms without which neither an individual nor a Nation can hope to go forward; and whereas this fundamental right has not been vouchsafed to the millions and millions of men and women in this country as can be seen from the total percentage of literacy which comes to about thirteen for the whole country, and about two for women; and whereas the little education that is given is most defective in that it has not helped the cultural, intellectual, physical or spiritual growth of the people, the All-India Women’s Conference demand that:-
(a) The present system of education be overhauled and a system more suited to the needs and requirements of the country be adopted;
(b) There shall be no basic difference between the education of man and woman as their duties as citizens are the same;
(c) The (1) Pre-basic, (2) Basic, (3) Secondary, (4) Vocational, (5) University, and (6) Adult education form an integral part of the system of education; and the medium of instruction throughout be the recognized language of the Province;
(d) The Basic education be a Seven years’ course and be made free and compulsory for every boy and girl between the ages of seven and fourteen;
(e) In view in particular of the lack of teachers, equipment and buildings, co-education be adopted in all stages. Exception may be made in the secondary stage until prejudice against it
has been overcome.
(f) Government should through legislation, if necessary, make immediate efforts to eradicate the evils of child marriage, child labour, purda and untouchability which come in the way of education and specially of girl’s education;
(g) Government should compensate such poor parents as are reluctant to send their girls to schools for economic reasons by way of giving scholarships to girls, providing books and materials free or by such other means;
(h) Government should help the brighter and more intelligent girls who should continue their studies even after the compulsory period is over and who are unable to do so for financial reasons by providing scholarships, freeships, books, or by such other means;
(i) Physical education through exercises and games and education for Health should form part of the School curricula;
(j) Secondary education should be as varied as circumstances permit and should not be unduly restricted by the requirements of universities or examining bodies;
(k) A large number of Secondary Schools should be provided so that such education may be within the reach of everyone who needs it;
(l) In order to facilitate vocational training among women, there should be provision for Polytechnics on an extensive scale;
(m) Regional Universities should be established so that more men and women can take advantage of higher education;
(n) Education in Art, Music and Home science should form part of the University curricula;
(o) Hostels should be provided to facilitate women to join the various educational institutions;
(p) There should be a large number of Institutions for training of women teachers to meet the growing need; and scholarships and freeships be provided to induce more women to take the training; refresher courses for teachers be provided at regular intervals;
(q) The status of teachers be improved in order to attract the better educated women by improving the conditions of their service, i.e., providing better pay and free housing; introducing the social insurance scheme which would include maternity benefit;
(r) Primary schools, Secondary schools and others Educational Institutions should be housed in their own buildings;
(s) Special facilities for the education of adult women in rural areas be provided by Government such as residential schools for the adults on the lines of the Folk Schools in Denmark;
(t) Health education including nutrition and citizenship should form part of the curricula of adult education; and mobile exhibitions with competent lecturers who would demonstrate on all matters pertaining to village life including model homes, hygiene, sanitation, care of children, kitchen, gardens, etc. etc., be organized;
(u) Every village with a school should have a library and a reading room; and
(v) Governments and Municipalities should actively help in the cultural education of the people by establishing Central Libraries, art galleries, museums and National theatres in order to enable them to make wise use of their leisure.