Which of the following were the initiatives taken during the third five-year plan?

A. Removal of the diploma course system.
B. Provision for correspondence courses.
C. Establishment of additional colleges including regional engineering colleges.
D. Appointment of working group on technical education.
E. Less emphasis on trained manpower.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is B

The third Five-Year Plan (1961-1966) in India focused on various aspects of economic growth and development, including education and technical development. The initiatives mentioned in the question were part of this plan:

• B. Provision for correspondence courses: The third Five-Year Plan emphasized the importance of expanding educational access through flexible learning options such as correspondence courses. This was aimed at educating a larger segment of the population.

• C. Establishment of additional colleges including regional engineering colleges: The third plan emphasized the establishment of more colleges and regional engineering colleges to meet the rising demand for technical education and skilled manpower.

• D. Appointment of working group on technical education: To address the growing needs of technical education, the third plan created a working group on technical education to recommend reforms and improvements in the field.

1. The third Five-Year Plan aimed at addressing the growing demand for skilled manpower and better educational infrastructure.
2. Establishment of regional engineering colleges was a significant step in promoting technical education across different regions.
3. The working group on technical education provided recommendations that helped shape the future of technical education in India.
4. Correspondence courses were designed to provide more flexible learning opportunities, especially for working professionals and people who could not access traditional education.
5. The third Five-Year Plan was crucial in expanding access to education and improving the quality of education in India.

1. A. Removal of the diploma course system: This was not an initiative in the third Five-Year Plan. The third plan focused on promoting higher education and technical skills, but it did not specifically emphasize the removal of the diploma course system.

2. E. Less emphasis on trained manpower: This is incorrect. The third plan actually placed significant emphasis on the need for trained and skilled manpower to support industrialization and economic development.