1096 PONTIFICIAE ACADEMIAE SCIENTIARVM SCRIPTA VARIA
2€
6.2. There would be still some need of supplying teaching
aids and materials from outside which would have to be spe-
cially designed to reduce costs. It is essential also to prepare
books of instructions and text books to suit a fairly wide range
of needs. These are difficult tasks which would call for extended
study and research by scientists of high calibre with a serious
interest in problems of science education. As basic conditions
in underdeveloped countries are likely to be similar to a large
extent, it may be possible to evolve broad general methods for
science education which would be capable of being adapted
without much difficulty to suit differing local conditions.
6.3. A great deal of pioneering research would be necessary
for this purpose for which the help of advanced countries is
indispensable. A good deal of experimental studies will have
to be undertaken under conditions actually prevailing in under-
developed regions. In the beginning, the studies would have
to be organised on a small scale with the help and support
of the local authorities and of such teachers and scientists as
may be available to cooperate of the local authorities and of
such teachers and scientists as may be available to cooperate
in the venture in the underdeveloped country itself. The project
can be gradually extended, in the light of experience, to cover
different subject fields at different educational levels, and also
[rom one underdeveloped country to another. Fortunately,
even one or two scientists can start the work in one single
country. The important point is to make a beginning at the
earliest opportunity.
6.4. I may now mention a second type of programme. Cer-
tain facilities for scientific research are already available in
India and other developing countries. In most of these coun-
tries, scientific work is being hampered for lack of small repla-
cement parts, additional accessories and instruments, and sup-
ply of essential consumable stores which have to be imported
from the advanced countries. It is often difficult to secure
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