Invest in education to help it grow: SibInvest in education to help it grow: Sibal to pvt sectoral to pvt sector

The minister stressed that the business fraternity has never reacted to the increasing requirement of education,which is unfortunate,as there is a huge requirement of funds to plug the gaps in education.

“After 16 years,the HRD ministry has been able to provide free education to students between the age-group of six to14 years. But there are still gaps. What is happening to those below three to six years,beyond 14 years and also at the university level?” Sibal said.

To cater to students between six and14 years of age,nearly 2/3 rd of the country’s total budget is required,which is not possible practically,said Sibal. “The public sector alone funds school education in remote areas; the private sector hardly invests in these areas due to less profits,” he said.

To match the demand and supply in education,the private sector should pitch in as a corporate social responsibility. “Garnering enough funds for education where nearly 546 million people are below the age of 25 years is not possible for the public sector,” Sibal added.

The minister stressed on the need to keep continuous tabs on demand and supply in education.

“Demand and supply should strike a perfect balance. It is these two factors that lead to aberration in the education system later on,” he said.

“Of 100 students,only 12 go to colleges; the rest 88 do not. We should strive to get at least 30 (out of 100) to college. There is a need to have more institutions. There are only 480 universities and 22,000 colleges in the country. To cater to the 30 per cent of students,we require 700-800 universities,” Sibal said.

While defining autonomy,the minister used a self-composed poem,which he had written when he was in class X,to drive home the idea.

“Create a space for me to run,let learning be a lot of fun… The present education system is about discipline,classroom and teachers. It should create a space for students,goading them to ask questions. The government should not play any role in appointing vice-chancellors of the universities,” he said.

The minister also declared to start an Information Communication and Technology Institute similar to the IITs with an aim to connect 20,000 colleges.