The Kothari Commission of 1964-1966, led by Dr. D.S. Kothari, was tasked with advising the Indian government on education reform. The Commission recommended transforming education to relate it to people's lives and needs in order to achieve national goals. It emphasized making education an instrument of social, economic, and cultural progress. The Commission also specified five aims of education in India and recommended reforms to curriculum, teaching methods, educational structure, and teacher training.

2. The appointment of the
education commission of 1964-
1966 popularly known as
‘KOTHARI COMMISION’ was a
significant event in the history
of education in free India.
In 1964,Dr.D.S Kothari was
requested to give advise to
the government on the action
to be taken for the
development of education at
all the levels and he
submitted a report in 1966.

3. RECOMMENDATIONS
The opening sentence report ‘The
Destiny of India is being shaped in
the classrooms’.
‘According to the commission', the
most important and urgent reform
needed in education was to
transform it and related it to the
life, needs and aspirations of the
people and there by make it a
powerful instrument of social,
economic and cultural
transformation necessary for the
realization of the national goals’.

4. AIMS OF EDUCATIONS
The commissions clearly specified the five
important aims of educations in India.
1.EDUCATION AND PRODUCTIVITY
• Science education as an integral part of school
course.
• Work experience as an important aspect of
general educations.
• Vocational education especially at the secondary
school stage to meet the needs of industry,
agriculture and commerce.
• Improvement of scientific and technical
education and research at the university stage.

5. 2. SOCIAL AND NATIONAL INTEGRATION
According to the commission
common school system, social service, NSS,NCC
teaching languages, Literatures, philosophy and
history of India would go a long way in promoting
national integration.
3. EDUCATION AND MODERNISATION
Another important aim of education is
modernization. Education should awaken curiosity,
Interests, Attitudes and sense of values and skills in
the pupils.

6. 4. DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRASY
India is the largest
democracy in the world. The
success of democracy depends
upon the education of the masses.
5. SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES
Education system
should emphasize the development
of fundamental, Social, Moral and
Spiritual values.

7. EDUCATIONAL STUCTURE
The commission recommended pre
school education ( 1-3 years ) and 10 year period
of general education.it may be subdivided into
Lower primary and Upper primary stages. The high
school stage ( 3-2 years )and higher secondary
stage of three or more years were also
recommended by the commission.

8. STATUS OF TEACHERS
Teachers have to play an important
role in improving the standard of
education. Their quantity, qualification
and character should be up to the mark.
The socio-economic and professional
status of teachers must be improved.

9. EQUALISATION OF EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITY
o The commission stressed the need for
equalization of educational opportunity.
o Scholarships and books should be given
to deserving students.
oAdult education is also to be improved.

10. CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT
 The commission felt that the existing curriculum
is badly in need of reform.
METHODS OF TEACHING
The commission emphasized the importance of
modern methods of teaching. The commission
recommended dynamic methods of teaching and
flexibility of curriculum in order to make school life
lively and inspiring.

11. LANGUAGE POLICY
The three language formula after due modification
should be used as medium of instruction.
The mother tongue or regional language should be
compulsory at the lower primary stage.
The official language Hindi or associated language
English should be added at the higher primary stage.
The modern Indian or European language may also be
studied the secondary stage.

12. TEXT BOOKS AND STUDY METERIALS
A comprehensive programme of text
book production at national level should be
implemented.
SCHOOL BUILDING
Since the accommodation in most of
the school is unsatisfactory the commission
recommended the construction of new school
buildings keeping in view the economy and
local condition.

13. GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING
Hence adequate arrangements should be made in
all secondary schools to introduce guidance service with a
trained counselor.
EVALUATION
Evaluation is a continuous process closely related to the
aims and objectives of education. The written examination
should be improved and oral tests as part of internal
assessment should be given due weightage.

14. OTHER IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
The commission also
stressed the importance of
science,education,vocational and
technical training ,agricultural
research ,adult education, literacy
campaign.

15. GOVERNMENT ACTION
It was on the
basis of the report that
the NEW EDUCATION
POLICY was declared in
1968.

16. MERITS
 The Kothari commission report was a masterly piece of work on
all aspects of Indian Education.
 The commission presented a comprehensive study of
educational problems in the context of the national needs and
aspirations.
 The commission made a realistic approach to link education to
the socio-economic , cultural and spiritual aspects of Indian
life.
 The commission recommended reasonable and respectable
scales of pay to all categories of teachers subject to periodical
revision.

17. DEMERITS
The position of heads of schools was left
undecided by the commission.
The commission committed a mistake in placing
Sanskrit on a par with Arabic.
The views of commission on medium of
instruction was not only conflicting but also
controversial.