Correct option is C
The Sargent Scheme of Education refers to the educational plan proposed in 1944 by the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), under the chairmanship of Sir John Sargent, who was then the Educational Adviser to the Government of India. The scheme is formally known as the “Scheme of Post-War Educational Development in India”.
The primary objective of the Sargent Plan was to formulate a comprehensive educational structure in India following World War II. It aimed at universal, free, and compulsory elementary education for all children aged 6–14 within 40 years, i.e., by 1984. The scheme also included provisions for pre-primary, secondary, university, and technical education, as well as teacher training and adult literacy.
Information Booster:
· Year of Introduction: The Sargent Scheme was presented in 1944, during British colonial rule, as a vision for post-war educational reform.
· Main Architect: The scheme was led by Sir John Sargent, the Educational Adviser to the Government of India.
· Purpose: Designed as a blueprint for comprehensive educational development in India after World War II.
· Key Recommendation: Introduction of free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 over a span of 40 years.
· Major Focus Areas: The plan included reforms in elementary education, secondary education, university education, technical training, teacher education, and adult literacy.
· Limitations: The plan was ambitious but largely unimplemented due to financial and political constraints, especially as India approached independence.
· Legacy: Despite limited execution, the Sargent Scheme significantly influenced post-independence educational policies, particularly the emphasis on universal elementary education.