Compulsory primary education was
introduced into the State during the Third Five –Year Plan, starting with the
age-group 6-7 in 1961-62, and extending it from 7-8 in 1962-63, 8-9 in 1963-64,
9-10 in 1964-65 and 10-11 in 1965-66. the total number of primary schools in
the district in 1967-68 was 893 as compared with 857 in 1965-66. Out of the
total number of 893 primary schools, there were 87 basic primary schools. In
1967-68, the number of students on the rolls in all types of primary schools in
the district was 1,26,593. The details of educational institutions and scholars
at the primary stage in the Amritsar District is given in the following table
:-
Educational Institutions and
scholars at the Primary stage in the Amritsar District as on March 31st
, 1968.
|
|
Number of Institutions |
Number of scholars |
||||||||
|
|
Government |
Private |
Total |
|
|
|
||||
|
Schools |
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
|
Primary Schools |
815 |
17 |
70 |
11 |
885 |
28 |
913 |
68,515 |
39,472 |
1,07,987 |
|
Basic primary Schools |
86 |
1 |
-- |
-- |
86 |
1 |
87 |
11,302 |
7,304 |
18,606 |
In primary schools and in the
primary department of middle/high/higher secondary schools, the teachers are
entrusted with the teaching of the class as a whole in all the subjects. The
number of students in a session of a primary school is about 50. all the
primary schools have five classes. Most of the primary school teachers are
either basic trained or have been orientated to the basic pattern. Under the
new system of education, primary schools are being converted into five –grade
schools. In 1967-68, there were 87 junior basic primary teachers’ training
institutions from J.V. to J.B.T., new methods of teaching have been introduced into
the primary schools.
At the secondary stage , there were
on march 31,1968, 46 higher secondary schools, 95 high schools and 104 middle
schools in the district. The total number of scholars studying in these schools
was 46316 , 47762 & 32764 respectively . The details about the educational
institutions & scholars at the secondary stage in the district , as on
march 31 , 1968 , are given in the following Table :
|
|
Number of Institutions |
Number of scholars |
||||||||
|
|
Government |
Private |
Total |
|
|
|
||||
|
Schools |
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
|
Higher Secondary Schools |
14 |
17 |
17 |
8 |
31 |
15 |
46 |
29,944 |
16,372 |
46,316 |
|
High Schools |
51 |
10 |
21 |
13 |
72 |
23 |
95 |
29520 |
18,242 |
47,762 |
|
Middle Schools |
64 |
24 |
11 |
5 |
75 |
29 |
104 |
18,883 |
13,881 |
32,764 |
The total number of
teachers ( both trained and untrained ) in all the higher secondary , high and
middle schools , including the teachers’ training schools(J.B.T.) was 55,002 on
may 15 , 1968 . Unlike the primary classes , special teachers’ training system
is prevalent in the middle , high & higher classes . A teacher qualified to
teach a particular subject takes different classes in that very subject . generally , there are about 60 students in
a class , and as soon as the number goes up , it is divided into sections ,
subject to the availability of the staff .
Education
up to the middle standard is free in all Government schools . The
middle-school examination is held only
in February / March in which 10 percent brillint students are awarded
scholarships . The fifth-class students are also allowed to participate in the
scholarship examination held every year .
The
students of the high and higher secondary schools are awarded scholarships on the basis of merit . Only half fee is
charged in case of girls studying in the ninth and tenth classes.
(i)
Khlasa
College, Amritsar
(ii)
Hindu
College, Amritsar
(iii)
Government
College for Women, Amritsar
(iv)
Modern
College for Women, Amritsar
(v)
D.A.V
College for Boys, Amritsar
(vi)
D.A.V.
College foe Women, Amritsar
(vii)
Shahzada
Nand College for Women, Amritsar
(viii)
Khalsa
College for Women, Amritsar
(ix)
Sri
Guru teg Bhadur College, Amritsar
(x)
Mata
Ganga Girls’ College, Tarn Taran
(xi)
Sir
Guru Arjan Dev College, Tarn Taran
(xii)
Government
College, Patti
(xiii)
Baba
Budha College, Bir Sahib
(xiv)
Sir
Guru Angad Dev College, Khadur Sahib
All of the above colleges are affiliated to the newly established Guru Nanak dev University, Amritsar.
(i)
Khalsa
College, Amritsar. - Raised from a school (originally established
in 1893 to a degree college in 1899, it is situated about 4 Km west of Amritsar
on the Grand Trunk Road, away from the hubbub of the city, but amidst pleasant
surroundings. It is a grand building, with its tower reminiscent of the old
Sikh Architecture. The history of the Khalsa College, Amritsar, is in fact the
history of the Sikh Community in the recent times. It is a symbol of progress,
new learning and new life. When the Sikh Kingdom came to an end in 1849 and the
forces of degeneration and decay set in, a need was felt to establish some
central seat of learning to save the flickering flame of religious and
intellectual life extinction. The first Singh Sabha was founded in Amritsar in
1873 to check this downward trend and to show way in the darkness. In 1883, the
General Sabha, which later on came to be known as the khalsa diwan , adopted a
resolution for the establishment of the Khalsa College at Amritsar. Sir James
Lyall laid down the foundation stone on March 1892. A Sikh school was
established in 1893;it was raised to a high school in 1896, it became a degree
college. Later on, the post Graduate teaching was also introduced into the
college.
The college is managed by a committee, responsible to the General Council. It enjoyed extensive patronage of the former Sikh princes and also had a galaxy of eminent principals, including Mr. G.A. Wathen and Rai Bhadur Man Mohan. It runs the Pre-University (the Humanities and Science Groups), Pre Medical and Pre Engineering classes and the Three year degree in B.A. and B.Sc (Medical and Non- Medical), M.Sc Agriculture, Four Year B.Sc Agriculture Course (New Regulations), B.Sc Honours in Chemistry and M.A. Classes in English, Punjabi and Economics. It also runs a diploma course I Divinity, which is of two years’ duration. The college had on its rolls 2,573 students in 1967-68.
(ii)
Hindu
College, Amritsar –
It was founded in 1924 in order to meet the growing demand for university
education in the city which was served at that time only by the Khalsa College,
situated quite away from the heart of the city. Feeling the urgent need of an institution, which should be more
centrally located to serve all sections of the local community without
distinction of caste and creed, eminent leaders, e.g., the late Sir Gopal Das
Bhandari and other philanthropists, decided in 1924 to raise the then existing
Hindu Sabha High School to the level of an intermediate college. It was raised
to the level of a degree college in 1936. It is runby a council elected by the
Hindu Sabha, which gives financial aid. The college hostel in the Civil Lines
provides residential accommodation for the students. The college prepares
students for the Pre – University (the Humanities and Science), the Three –
Year Degree Course and M.A. Classes. The number of students in the city in the
college in 1967 – 68 and 1968 – 69 was 1,379 and 1,400 respectively.
(iii)
Government
College for Women, Amritsar - Originally known as the Stratford College for Women, it was started in
1932 as an intermediate college and was raised to the degree standard in 1938.
Since November 22,1963, it has been functioning in its own building in Rani Ka
Bagh, opposite the District Courts. It has
a commodious modern building, with well – equipped science laboratories,
lecture theatres and an assembly hall. Hostel accommodation is also provided
for the students. It runs the Pre - University (the Humanities and Science
Groups), the Pre – Medical and the Pre – Engineering classes and the Three –
Year Degree Course in B.A. and B.Sc. (Medical and Non – Medical). The college
had 1,108 students on its rolls in 1967 – 68.
(iv)
Modern
College for Women, Amritsar – With a view to meeting the increasing demand for women’s higher
education in Amritsar, this college was established in May 1940. The Modern
College Governing Council manages it. The college is housed in a commodious
bungalow situated on the Mall. It runs the Pre - University and the Three –
Year Degree Courses. The college had 829 students on its rolls in 1967 – 68.
(v)
D.A.V.
College, Amritsar – It
was established in the memory of Swami Dayanad Saraswati, the founder of the
Arya Samaj. The college is a constituent unit of the D.A.V. College Managing
Committee, New Delhi, which is manned by a galaxy of selfless and devoted
educationalists. There is also a Local Advisory Committee of the college,
composed of leading educationists and public men. Within a short span of 15
years, the college has secured a niche in the educational hierarchy of the
State.
The college imparts instruction in
M.A. in English, Hindi, Mathematics and Economics in the Three – Year Degree
Courses in Arts, Science and Commerce and in the Pre – Engineering, Pre –
Medical and Pre – University (Science and Humanities Groups) Courses. It has
also arrangement for the teaching of a number of housing of honors subjects.
The college had 2,168 students on its rolls in 1967 – 68 and 2,572 in 1968 –
69.
(vi)
D.A.V.
College for Women, Amritsar – Started in July 1967, the D.A.V. College Managing Committee, New Delhi,
runs the institution. Situated on the Lawrence Road, the college runs
the Pre – University (the Humanities Group) and the Three – Year Degree
Courses. It had 285 students on its rolls in 1967 – 68 and 595 in 1968 – 69.
(vii)
Shahzada
Nand College for Women, Amritsar – It stated functioning from 1968. This is one of the several
institutions established by the Shazada Nand Educational Trust in Amritsar to
perpetuate the memory of college was founded by Shri Guranditta Mal of M/S
Shahzada Nand and Sons, Amritsar, at the instance of Shri Shanti Sarup Piplani,
a veteran educationist, who offered to dedicate his life for the cause of
women’s education. The college has made commendable contribution to the sp[read
of education in the city. It prepares students for the various examinations of
the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, up to B.A. with provision for both
Science and Arts in the Pre – University classes. Arrangements also exist in
the college for preparing students for the M.A. degree in History and Political
Science. The number of students on the college rolls was 772 in 1967 – 68.
(viii)
Khalsa
College for Women, Amritsar – Fouded in July, 1968, the Khalsa College for Women, Amritsar, is run by
the Managing Committee of the Khalsa College, Amritsar. It is situated in a
separate building, having separate entrances from the main gate leading to the
Khalsa College for Men. The college imparts instruction in the Pre – University
(the Humanities Group) and in the Three – Year Degree Course with Honours in
Punjabi (the Humanities Group). The number of students on the rolls of the
college in 1969 – 70 was 196.
(ix)
Guru
Teg Bahadur College, Sathiala – Formerly known as the National College, it was founded in May, 1955.
Before the establishment of the college, the people of Sathiala and its
neighbourhood faced difficulties and hardships while sending their children for
higher education to the cities. The institution was handed over to the Sikh
Educational Society, Jullundhur, in 1967, which renamed it “Guru Teg Bahadur
College”. It is situated on the Jullundhur – Batala Road. The historical
Gurdwara of Baba Batala is about 3 km., from the college. The college is housed
in a magnificient building and has a hostel, auditorium and spacious
playgrounds. It prepares students for the Pre – University (the Humanities and
the Science Groups) and for the Three – Year Degree Course. It had 544 students
on its rolls in 1967 – 68 and 697 in 1968 – 69.
(x)
Mata
Ganga Girls College, Tarn Taran :- In order to growing need of the girls of the area for higher
education, the Sri Guru Arjan Dev Khalsa Girls’ School Trust, Tarn Taran, established
the mtat Ganga Girls’ College, Tarn Taran. The college started functioning in
the pre-university ( the Humanities Group) and in the Three-Year Degree Course
in Arts. The number of students on its rolls was 230 in 1967-68 and 275 in
1968-69.
(xi)
Sri
Guru Arjan Dev College, Tarn Taran :- Established in 1966, the college is
managed by the Sri Guru Arjan Dev Educational Trust, Tarn Taran. It caters to
the need of higher education of the
students residing in the rural areas. It is situated in an ideal locality on
the Tarn Taran-Jhabal Road away from the tumult of the town. The college runs
the Pre-University(the Humanities Grou), the Pre Medical the Pre –Engineering
and the three Year Degree Courses. The number of students on its rolls in
1967-68 was 480.
(xii)
Government
College, Patti :-
Started in 1969, the college imparts instruction in the Pre-University class
(the Humanities Group) and in the Three Year Degree Course (Arts Group). The
number of students on its rolls in 1969-70 was 287.
(xiii)
Baba
Budha College, Bir Sahib :- Started in 1969, the college runs the Pre-University (Arts, Medical and
Non- Medical Groups), the Pre- Medical, the Pre-Engineering courses, the Three
Year Degree Course, Part I and II (Arts), and Part I (Science) classes. The
number of students on the rolls of the college in 1969-70 was 273.
(xiv)
Sri
Guru Angad Dev College, Khadur Sahib :- Founded in the memeory of Sri Guru Angad Dev,
the college started functioning from July 22, 1970. It prepares students for
the Pre- University Course and the Three – Year Degree Course (Arts). The
number of students on the rols of the college in 1970 was 270.
Guru Nanak Dev Unversity, Amritsar
:- The Guru nank
Dev University, Amritsar was established to commemorate the birth quincentenary
of Guru Nank Dev. It is located between Amritsar and Chheharta on the G.T road,
near the Khalsa College, Amritsar. Its foundation stone was laid on November
24,1969, by Shri V.V. Giri, the then President of India. This is a teaching as
well as and affiliating University, having jurisidiction over the college
located in the district of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jullundhur and Kapurthala. The
number of affiliated colleges and their students, during 1974-75 was 70 and
about 50,000 respectively.
The different teaching departments
functioning on the University campus are Hindi, Punjabi, English, History,
Economics, Political Science, Physchology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology,
Library Science, Planning and Laws, besides the research departments of Guru
Nanak Studies and Punjabi Language, Literature and culture. The non teaching
departments includes Landscape, Physical Education, Youth Welfare, Public
Relations and Publications.
The master plan of the university
campus was approved on November, 2, 1970. the first phase of this plan was nearing
completion in 1974 –75. The buildings completed by then were : guest house,
chemistry block, physics block, biology block, arts block, boys hostel, girls’
hostel, Vice- Chancellor’s residence,
health center, water storage overhead reservoir, a number of houses for the
staff, etc.
The estimated income and expenditure
of the university, during 1974-75, was as under :
|
|
(Rs) |
|
Income |
1,82,66,300 |
|
Expenditure on maintenance, etc |
1,82,59,271 |
|
Expenditure on construction of buildings etc. |
2,87,44,000 |
(d) Professional
and Technical Education
The colleges and schools which
prepare students for the teachers training degree/diploma, functioning in the
district, are given below :
|
Sr.No |
Name of the Institution |
Degree/ diploma awarded |
Duration of course |
|
1. |
Khalsa College of Education, Amritsar |
B.Ed. |
1 year |
|
2. |
D.A.V. College of Educatin for Women, Amritsar |
B.Ed. |
1 Year |
|
3. |
Government Girls’ High School, Amritsar |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
4. |
Government High School, patti |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
5. |
Government High School, Khalra |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
6. |
Government High School, Rayya |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
7. |
Government High School, Sathiala |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
8. |
Government Girls High School, Bhangali |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
9. |
Government High School, Majitha |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
10. |
Government Basic Training School, Sirhali Kalan |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
11. |
Government Girls High School, Jandiala Guru |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
12. |
Government Girls High School, Ajanala |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
|
13. |
Government Girls High School, Patti |
J.B.T. |
2 Years |
D.A.V.
College of Education for Women, Amritsar :- This college formerly known as the Saraswati
Training College for Women, was founded in 1956 by lala Balak Ram Kapur, an
ardent advocate of female education. The D.A.V. Managing Committee, New Delhi,
took over this institution in 1963. It is housed in its own spacious building
outside the Lohgarh gate. The College has a Recreational Hall and a
non-resident students Centre. The B.Ed. course is of one year duration. The
number of students on the rolls of the college in 1967-68 and 1968-69 was 215
and 239 respectively.
Medical Education
The modern type of medical education
was started in the district in the early twenties of the present century when
the Medical School, Lahore 9 now the Medical College, Amritsar) was transferred
to Amritsar in 1920.
Medical
Education, Amritsar :- Founded in 1943, the college is doing a
pioneering work in the field of medical education. It prepares students for
degrees of M.B.B.S and M.D.M.S., and also for the diplomas of D.T.D., D.O. M.
S. and Anesthesia and Pharmacy. The number of students on the rolls in 1967-68
was 1,010.
Besides
the Medical College, Amritsar, there are other medical institutes, viz, the
Punjab Government Dental College and Hospital, Amritsar; the Hygiene and
Vaccine Institute, Amritsar and the Punjab Health School, Amritsar. These
institutes are described in the next chapter, ‘ Medical and Public Health
Services’. A course for the trainig of nurses exists in the V.J. Hospital,
Amritsar.
Agricultural Education
The Khalsa College , Amritsar, has a
department of educational education attached to it. It was started in 1923. It
prepares students for degree of B.Sc Agriculture, which is of four years’
duration. It has a big farm equipped with modern agricultural implements. The
farm grows many varieties of crops for demonstration and teaching. A
well-equipped dairy far is maintained on modern scientific lines. The students
receive practical training in the modern methods of food production. A big
fruit garden and a nursery have been raised for commercial purposes on the
college farms. The number of students on the rolls of the agricultural Wing of
the Khalsa College, Amritsar was 188 in 1967-68 and 216 in 1968-69.
Technical Education
With advances in the field of
science and technology, increasing emphasis is being laid on scientific and
technical education. The district has the following institutions in the field
of engineering and technology :
i)
Government
Industrial School for Boys, Amritsar
ii)
Government
Industrial School for Girls, Amritsar
iii)
R.B.
Girdhari lal Industrial School, Amritsar
iv)
Sital
Industrial School for Girls, Amritsar
v)
Dayanand
Polytechnic Institute for Girls, Amritsar
vi)
Punjab
Institute of Textile Technology, Amritsar
vii)
Government
Institute of Garment Technology, Amritsar
viii)
Government
Industrial Training Centre, Patti
ix)
Government
Industrial Training Centre, Sirhali Kalan
x)
Government
Industrial School for Girls, jandiala Kalan
xi)
Government
Industrial School for Girls, Rayya.
Physical education is a part of
general education which aims at making a child physically fit, mentally alert
and morally sound. Due consideration is given to the physical education in the
schools and colleges. In the colleges, physical education is directed and guided by the Physical
Directors. It is obligatory on part of
every student to attend a certain numbers of periods in Physical education. In
schools, there are two types of teachers- Physical Training Masters/Mistresses
and Physical Training Instructors. Primary schools-teaches are given special
training in physical education which is supervised by the Block Education
Officer. For genera supervision and guidance, there is one Assistant Education
Officer for physical education. Special rallies are organized in physical
activities at various places in the District. Inter –School tournaments are
organized separately for higher/secondary/middle and primary schools. Since
1963, the District has been bagging the general shield in the Inter-District
Tournament, The standard of games in the District is quite high in comparison
with that in other district in the State.
Beside
the above, the following schemes, under separate departments, also promote the
cause of physical education :
(i)
The
promotion of sports and games by the Sports Department ;
(ii)
The
National Fitness Corps, sponsored by the Central Government ;
(iii)
The
National cadet Corps; and
(iv)
The
Bharat Scouts and Guides.
(i)
Sports
Department :- The sports department was known as the Sports
Cell upto 1960. It became full fledged department in 1961 and by 1962 it had
its branches at the district level.
The department is
represented at the district level by the District Sports Officer, Amritsar, who
functions under the administrative control of Divisional Sports officer,
Jullundhur. He is assisted by a State Football Coach and State Cricket Coach
and other miscellaneous Class III and Class IV staff.
The
main duties of the District Sports Officer are to discover sports talent
from amongst the villagers and students
by holding coaching camps in schools and by arranging tournaments at the
district level. He is also required to popularize sports in the district.
(ii) National
Fitness Corps :- The Government of India a Committee
under the Chairmanship of Dr. H.N. Kunzru for the co-ordination and integration
of schemes operating in the fields of Physical Education, Recreation and Youth
Welfare. The Committee, in its report, submitted to the Government of India in
1963, recommended that, at the school stage , there should be one Integrated
Programme in the field of Physical education woven into the fabrics of the
educational system, and the existing
programmes under the Physical Education, Auxiliary Cadet Corps and
National Discipline Scheme should no longer be continued as separate schemes.
Consequent upon the acceptance of the recommendation of the Committee by the
Government of India, the new programme was named ‘ National Fitness Corps’. It
combines in it the best features of the three programmes- Physical Education,
Auxiliary Cadet Corps, and the National Discipline Scheme, hitherto operating
at the school level.
The
national ftness Corps aims at developing physical efficiency, toughness,
courage, endurance, discipline, patriotic fervor, appreciation for the
democratic values of life and love for the country among the students.
Essentially, a planned programme of national reconstruction to help childrens
to grow into responsible citizens, the scheme endeavors to achieve its aims by
inculcating in children a sense of discipline, organization and leadership.
This object to be fulfilled entails a programme for developing the physical ,
mental ad emotional capacities. It includes a variety of exercises, gymnastics
movements and activities involving the general development of physique.
This
programme is compulsory curricular activity for all the childrens of the
age-group 9-16 in the middle, high and higher secondary schools. Initially,
owing to the shortage of trained teachers, it has been introduced only in high
and higher secondary schools, and the middle schools are to be covered during
the Fourth Five year Plan in a phased manner. Its strength in the Dsirtict at
the end of March, 1968 was 41,710 ( boys 29231 and girls 12479).
The
Circle-in-charge, National Fitness Corps Amritsar, is in-charge of the
working of the scheme in the Amritsar
and Gurdaspur district. He is under the Senior Supervisor, National Fitness
Corps ( Northern Region), Ministry of Education, Government of India,
Chandigarh.
(ii)
National
Cadet Corps :- With a view to fostering physical fitness and
incucating in the youth the spirit of discipline, co-operation , leadership and
team work , the National Cadet Corps wasintroduced into colleges and schools in
the State in 1948. Amritsar was the first district in the State to have schools
in the State in 1948. Amritar was first
district in the State to have this youth organization introduced in its
educational institutions. Its motto is ‘Unity and Discipline’. The aims of the
National Cadet Corps are: to develop character, comradeship, the ideal of
service and capacity for leadership in young men and women; to provide service
training to young men and young women so as to stimulate interest in the
defence of the country and to build up a reserve of man power to enable the
armed forces to expand rapidly during a national emergency.
The Group Headquarters of the National cadet
Corps are located at Amritsar and it had 7 N.C.C. units under its command and
control in 1968 .
Cadets
from the various schools, colleges and
institutes receive training in military
subjects , such as a field craft, rifle-firing , map readi ng foot drill, civil
defence etc. They also attend 120 periods during the year. Girls are given
training in first aid, telephone, telegraph and wireless. Cadets also attend an
annual training camp which lasts for 10 days.
The
training to the cadets is imparted by N.C.C. and A.C.C officers who are selected
from among the teachers. They are However assisted by the permanent
instriuctional staff of the army.
Senior and Junior Division
Cadets are organized into units , each commanded by a regular Army Major or y
an equivalent rank in the Air Force.
(iii)
Bharat
Scouts and Guides :- Established in 19200, the organization of Disrtict
Bharta Scouts and Guides is working under the presidentship of the deputy
Commissioner, Amritsar. The District
Scout Commissioner, assisted by 3 Assistant District Commissioner and 1 District Guide Commissioner, looks
after the movement in the District.
The main activities of the Bharat Scouts and Guides comprise social service; training of boys and girls to become good citizens by achieving self reliance, discipline and co-operation; character development through camps , sight-seeing, hiking and handicrafts. The Total strength of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in the district, as on march 31, 1968 was 6570 ( Cubs 3456 and Scouts 3114).
There are no separate institution in the district for imparting training in music , dancing etc. However, music is taught as one of the subjects in the girls’ schools and colleges.
Indian
Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar :- The Indian Academy of Fine Arts was founded
by Shri Thakur Singh in 1928 for the study and appreciation of fine arts and
crafts., ancient and modern, along with
sculpture, modeling photography,
music, dancing and literature. The academy is situated on the Madana Mohan
Maulviya Road, with an Art Gallery and the Thakur Singh School of Arts. It has
organized a number of All- India
exhibition.. The Thakur Singh School of Arts, established in 1933, is the only
recognized institution for fine arts run under the Indian Academy of Fine Arts,
Amritsar. This institution imparts the education of arts fin free-hand
painting, still life, still paintings, landscape paintings and sculpture.
Classes are held in the evening in the school where students received training
in various groups.
(g) Oriental Schools and Colleges
There
are no schools or colleges for the oriented learning as such in the district.
The only institution teaching Sanskrit is the Shri Laxmi Narain Sankrit
College, Amritsar.
Shri
Laxmi Narain Sanskrit College :- Established in 1930, the college is of its
own type in the district. It is situated in the newly constructed building on
the main road near the Durgiana Mandir and its Managed by the Durgiana
Committee, Amritsar. It prepared students for Prajna , Vishard and Shastri (
Part I and II) examinations of the Panjaba University, Chandigarh. The duration
of these courses is one year. No fees are charged from students. The college
also provide them with free lodging and boarding. Scholarship are awarded to
students who stood first in their respective classes. The number of studentson
the rolls of the college in 1967-68 and 1968-69 was 64 and 68 respectively. The
students generally hails from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
(H) Education for the Handicapped
No
Government center exists in the district for education of the handicapped – the
deaf, the dumb and the blind. How ever,
there are two institutions, viz. ‘ Andh Vidhyala’, for the blind and
‘Pingalwara’, for the handicapped ,at Amritsar. They are run by philanthropist. Their expenses are met mostly through
public contributions and grants. A description of these institutions is given
in chapter XVIII, ‘Public Life and Voluntary Social Service Organization’, on
pages 569 and 571.
(i)
Adult
Literacy, Social Education and Measures for the diffusion of culture among the
masses
A programme of social education has
been introduced in the district for the spread of literacy and diffusion of
culture among the masses. It is organized by the circle Social Education
officer, Jullundhur. A number of social education centres for males and
females ( age group 14 – 45) have been
setup in the urban areas to spread social education among the illiterates.
These etres functions under the Social Education Workers. There are six such
centres in the district. In addition to
the programme of imparting instructions in 3 R’s( Reading , Writing and
Arithmetic), these centres maintain small libraries and also devote some attention to such aspects of social
education as health, hygiene, good citizenship, etc.
Besides, the above , the Municipal
Committee, Amritsar, is also running 6 social education centres at different place in the city.
(j) Cultural and Literacy Societies and Periodicals
Sangeet
Kala Kendra, Amritsar :- This is
the only musical society in the district. It was established in February, 1966
with a view to promoting the cause of music among the residents of Amrtisar.
The main object of the Kendra is to foster artistic and cultural activities in
the city, thorough the presentation of dances , dramas and music-
instrumental, classical and light- on
various occasions. Most of the programmes are held in the hall of Thakur Singh
Art Gallery. It also arranges a big sammelans during the Holi festivals in the
Gita Bhavan, in which great artists of all-Inida fame participate. The
membership of the Sangeet kala Kendra in 1970 was 120. For membeship, the
admission fee is Rs.100 and monthly fees Rs.10.
Among
the other cultural societies, functioning in the district, those worth
mentioning are : the Amritsar Natak kak Kendra, Amritsar; the Punjab Natak
Academy, Amritsar; and the Kheria
Punjab Cultural Society, Amritsar. These societies are patronized by amateurs
and artists, who produce various dramatic productions for the entertainment of
the public. They are not aided by Government and their expenditure is mostly
met from contributions by the people.
Literacy Societies
Among the literacy societies
functioning in the district, the following deserve mention:
1. Lok
Likhari Sabha, Amritsar ( established in 1950)
2.
Punjabi
Sahit Kendra, Amritsar ( established in 1968)
These
societies promote the cause of literature by encouraging young writers thorough
the constructive criticism of their writings and by publishing their works.
They hold fortnightly or monthly meetings in which a number of writers
participate and read out their stories ,poems n, dramas etc. Kavi darbars are
also arranged , wherein a large number of renowned writers, critic, poets and
novelists participated.