There are practical difficulties but the proposal should be examined and the extent, to which it can be implemented, carefully worked out. Its adoption on suitable lines will promote national cohesion, and the “Group" attaches great importance to an early implementation of this proposal on proper lines.
Inter-wing transfers of C.S.P. officers have not been worked in the spirit of the manner which the authors of the scheme originally envisaged. If the tenure rules could be more rigidly applied and reasonable facilities were given in the form of accommodation, furniture etc., the resistance would be considerably broken down. Perhaps the Army arrangements could be followed as an example.
The “Group" had a very useful discussion with the Education Secretary and the Director of Public Instruction East Pakistan. In the course of these discussions, the “Group" was struck by the fact that, although a lot of attention has been given in East Pakistan to the primary education, very little has been done for the secondary education. Out of nearly 14(X) High Schools, Government runs only 37 and spends very little on the assistance of the others. To us the emphasis seems to be completely wrong. The problem of primary education is so big that it is not possible to be effective without huge financial outlay which the province or the Central Government cannot afford, and the obvious need is for concentration on more important and fruitful sectors. The “Group" feels that the general standard of education, administration and business in the province will rise if first consideration is given to the task of building up leadership in business, industry, professions, Government service-by giving special attention to the secondary schools and to the colleges. The “Group" would recommend the opening of an adequate number of public schools. At the same lime the proposal to shift the Dacca University to a suitable place, away from the busy city life and the provincial headquarters at Dacca, should be revived, and implemented as early as possible.
The “Group" was informed that the influence of Indian nationals or others, who. although technically Pakistani nationals, have their families and all interests in West Bengal, is no longer decisive in a vast majority of private schools, but even now it is considerable and is a source of subversion. The D. P.I. indicated that the proposals for screening of staff were under consideration. While there should be no witch hunt, it is a fair proposition that in institutions which mould the youth, influence public opinion and which receive assistance in one form or another from Government, nobody whose loyalty to Pakistan is suspect should be allowed to hold an important position. This would apply not only to educational institutions but also to publicity organizations and cultural bodies.
One of the causes of the frustration of the intellectuals and writers is the fact that there are no facilities for publishing their works and they receive no assistance from the State. Actually, the publishing arrangements in East Pakistan have been so inadequate that even at present books from West Bengal dominant the market. It is necessary that the State should promote cultural activity and lake up publication of books etc., on a large scale.
