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The Wardha Scheme of Basic Education, 1937, also known as Nai Talim or Buniyadi Talim (Shiksha) was an initiative for rural development that has been instrumental in transforming the lives of people. Implemented by the government, this scheme focuses on improving infrastructure, education, healthcare and overall quality of life in rural areas. In this article, we will delve deeper into the history, features, and impact of the Wardha Scheme of basic education.
Table of Contents
History of the Wardha Scheme
The Wardha Scheme was launched by the INC with the aim of bridging the gap between urban and rural areas. The scheme draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of village development and self-reliance.
- The Wardha Scheme came about due to Mahatma Gandhi’s realisation of India’s ineffective education system.
- In 1931, at the Second Round Table Conference in London, Gandhi attributed the deterioration of education in India to British education policy.
- On 31st June 1937, Gandhi ji published an article in ‘Harijan’, his weekly magazine, discussing his views on the deterioration of the education system prevailing in India.
- He also proposed schemes to expand the education system to reach every nook and corner of Indian society.
In the 1937 elections, the Indian National Congress promised free and compulsory education in their manifestoes. After winning, INC decided to implement Gandhi’s Education scheme with some changes. They held the ‘All India National Educational Conference’ in Wardha to propose the scheme officially.
- Gandhi, along with other educationists, Congress leaders and Ministers, led the resolutions taken at the conference.
- In the Wardha Education Conference that was held on the 22nd and 23rd of October 1937, many resolutions were considered and adopted.
Three resolutions were passed to improve education in India. These resolutions included-
- Free and Compulsory education nationwide for seven years,
- Use of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction
- Focus on manual and productive work and not just Degrees and Examinations, thereby integrating subjects like Physical Environment, Crafts and Social Environment.
A committee was formed under Dr. Zakir Hussain’s leadership to implement these resolutions and develop a plan for basic education. The committee’s report was known as the Wardha Scheme of Basic Education or Nai Talim/Buniyadi Talim (Shiksha)/Buniyadi Shiksha. They submitted the National Basic Education Scheme report in March 1938.
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What was the objective of the Wardha Scheme?
The objective of the Wardha Scheme (also known as the Wardha Education Scheme of 1937) was to promote basic education in India that was practical, self-reliant, and rooted in Indian culture.
Proposed by Mahatma Gandhi, the key aims were:
- To provide free and compulsory education for children aged 7 to 14.
- To make education vocational, with learning through a productive craft (like spinning, weaving, carpentry, etc.).
- To develop self-sufficiency and dignity of labour among students.
- To reduce dependence on British education systems and promote Indian values.
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What were the Features of the Wardha Scheme?
The main features of the Wardha Scheme of Basic Education (1937) are as follows –
- Education:
- Free and compulsory for 8 years (applicable for ages within 6-14)
- Open to all regardless of gender, culture or religion
- Mother tongue as the medium of instruction
- Self-paced learning with no exams.
- Flexible curriculum and free learning environment
- Integration of work and education:
- Combined with regional craftwork or productive work
- “Samanvaya” method to integrate education with local handicrafts
- “Work-centric” education to:
- Inculcate collective activity
- Build self-sufficient individuals
- Raise appreciation for labour
- Support emotional development
- Self-supporting system:
- Products created by students are sold to fund teacher salaries
- “Learn while you earn, earn while you learn” principle
- The State initially cover other school expenses (furniture, books, tools, buildings)
- Later changed to partial self-support to prioritise education expansion by Dr. Zakir Hussain.
- Overall goals:
- Strengthen the education foundation through mother tongue instruction
- Foster individual and collective development through work
- Expand education access to all regions of the country
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Scope and Limitations of the Wardha Scheme
Wardha Scheme offers many opportunities to the developed India. Some of the scopes of the Wardha Scheme are –
- Building self-sufficient and educated citizens across the nation (including all the cities & villages).
- A classless society, education through the mother tongue and national integration.
- Flexible, adaptable curriculum, prioritising practical experience & intellectual development.
- Self-funding education for addressing unemployment and educational disparities.
Also Read – Government of India Act 1935
Limitations of the Wardha Scheme of Basic Education of 1937
Here we have mentioned the limitations of the Wardha Scheme, which comes with its own challenges.
- Coordination issues between official and unofficial stakeholders in implementing the scheme.
- Lack of proper teacher training and expertise was one of the hindrances.
- During the period of industrialisation, there was difficulty in linking handicrafts to academic subjects.
- Some believe the overemphasis on crafts led to the overshadowing of core education.
- Another limitation was that it had a negative psychological impact on the work-study model.
Just after implementing the scheme WWII started in 1939, and Indian National Congress ministers’ resignations hindered implementation. The Wardha Scheme emerged as the government’s commitment to rural development and inclusive growth. With its comprehensive approach towards infrastructure, education and sustainable practices.
| Development of Railways in India | Salt Satyagraha |
| Indian Press Act of 1910 | Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 |
| Development of Press in India | Cabinet Mission of 1946 |
FAQ
The Wardha Scheme was an educational plan introduced in 1937 under Mahatma Gandhi’s guidance. It promoted free, compulsory education for children aged 7–14 through craft-based learning and emphasised self-reliance and manual work.
Mahatma Gandhi proposed the Wardha Education Plan in 1937. He believed education should be practical and connected to real life. The plan was developed further by Dr. Zakir Hussain and the National Education Committee.
In 1938, the Wardha Scheme took clearer shape through a detailed report by the Zakir Hussain Committee. It focused on “basic education” by integrating manual work with learning and aimed to build character and skills.
The concept of Wardha centers on education through productive work. It promotes the dignity of labour, self-sufficiency, and moral development. The idea was to make learning meaningful and rooted in India’s rural life and values.
The Wardha Scheme laid the groundwork for basic education in India. It introduced the idea of vocational training in schools and influenced later policies that stressed skill development and self-sufficiency in education.
That’s all about the Wardha Scheme! If you want to read more articles like this, you can get Study notes on the Modern History of India here. Also, you can visit our general knowledge page on Indian History!
