Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Educational thinkers and their contribution in developing principles of education 

 He advocated the idea of universalisation of the basic education system and proposed the idea of free and compulsory education until secondary level for both boys and girls. After becoming independent, Maulana Azad made primary education a free and compulsory citizen right for children up to 14 years of age.

• Universal compulsory basic education for all children of school age .

• Social education for one adult illiterates.

• Measures for improvement in the quality and expansion of facilities for secondary and higher education.

• Technical and scientific education on a scale adequate to the nation’s needs .

• Measures for the enrichment of the cultural life of the community by encouraging the arts and providing facilities for recreation and other amenities.

• Azad emphasized four major programmes to modernise education structure  of hierarchical Indian society

• Removal of illiteracy through universalisation of elementary education upto secondary standard and a drive for adult education including education for women.

• Equalising educational opportun ities in indian society where exploitations on the basis of    class and caste division were rampant.

• Three language formula where the state languages and hindi would be medium of instruction but english would remain as an important second language.

• Sound primary education through out the country.

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1. Universalization of Education

•  Azad advocated for the universalization of elementary education, proposing free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14. He believed that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of gender or social background.
•  Focused on providing equal educational opportunities to bridge the disparities in Indian society, especially among those affected by caste and class distinctions.

2. Adult Education and Social Education

• Recognizing the need for adult education, Azad initiated programs targeting adult literacy and the education of women. His goal was to create an informed society where adults, especially those who were illiterate, could contribute meaningfully to the nation.

3. Improvement in Secondary and Higher Education

• Azad emphasized the expansion and improvement of secondary and higher education facilities. He believed that a strong secondary education system would create a foundation for students to pursue higher education.
•  Supported technical and scientific education to meet the industrial and developmental needs of a modernizing India.

4. Cultural and Recreational Enrichment

•  Azad valued cultural education as a way to enrich society. He encouraged initiatives in the arts, promoting cultural programs and providing facilities for recreation and other activities to improve the community’s quality of life.

5. Four Major Programs for Educational Modernization

• Azad identified four critical areas to modernize the Indian education structure:
• Elimination of Illiteracy: Through universal elementary education and targeted adult education programs.
•  Equality in Education: To ensure that educational opportunities were accessible to all, addressing the exploitation caused by caste and class divisions.
• Three-Language Formula: Azad supported multilingual education, recommending that students learn in the state language and Hindi, while also learning English as a secondary language for global connectivity.
• Sound Primary Education Nationwide: He emphasized building a robust primary education system as a foundation for lifelong learning.

Framework of Azad’s Educational Vision

1. Primary Education: Universal, free, compulsory, and up to age 14.

2. Secondary Education: Expansion of quality facilities, with a focus on accessibility.

3. Higher Education: Promotion of technical and scientific fields to meet national needs.

4. Adult and Women’s Education: Social education aimed at adult literacy and women’s empowerment.

5. Cultural and Recreational Development: Cultural enrichment through arts, recreation, and community facilities.

6. Language Education: Three-language formula to maintain cultural heritage while preparing students for global engagement.

Azad’s educational philosophy laid the foundation for India’s modern education system, focusing on inclusivity, cultural richness, and national development.