New Delhi, July 02: Launching the consultation process for reforms in education, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday underlined his commitment to implement 25 per cent quota in private schools for poor students as proposed in the Right To Education Bill.
Interacting with school principals here, Sibal said the institutions have responsibility to educate the people as the country is estimated to have 47 million surplus students by 2020.
The Right To Education Bill, which has been pending in the Parliament, seeks to reserve 25 per cent of the seats for children of weaker sections from the neighbourhood. The Bill says that the government will bear the cost of education of these poor children.
Allying apprehensions expressed by some of the principals about additional financial burden they will have to bear, Sibal said the government will prepare a compensatory mechanism for them “as per provisions of the Act”.
“We will ensure the students of poor and weaker sections get education. We will prepare a compensatory mechanism as per the provisions,” he said.
Sibal also told the principals that they have to do “some sacrifices” to ensure that all sections of the people get education and skills.
The minister said the government would also explore the option of starting double shifts in schools for full utilisation of the resources.
The 25 per cent quota for neighbourhood children has been a contentious issue as the private schools have been opposing it.
Some of the principals today asked for more support from the government to implement the quota. However, the principals welcomed the government’s initiatives to reforms.
“Every school has a social responsibility for the poor students. We will discuss and find out how to implement the quota for poor students,” Abha Sehegal, Principal Sanskriti School, said.
DPS R K Puram Principal Shyama Chona said the plan to do away with Class-X board exam would make the education system smooth.
Meanwhile, Sibal said that government and municipal schools could be used for holding second shifts to impart skill-based training.
“After the school time, why cannot we use the building for giving skill-based training. Similarly, municipal schools can be used by private bodies who want to provide schooling. It can happen by double shifts,” the minister said.
He said the government would set up different groups to suggest ways for implementing the reforms which include making class-X board exam optional, evolving a new framework for teachers’ education and change the structure of higher education.
Sibal expressed confidence that the quality of schools will improve significantly in three years time after the RTE is passed.
—Agencies