With a few states opposing his agenda of educational reforms, including making Class-X board examination optional, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has hinted at dropping some of his proposals if there is a "rationale" behind it. "These reforms are good for the country. These reforms are required. If there is a public outcry that it is not possible and if I think there is a rationale in that, I certainly will not go ahead with it," Sibal said to a news channel.

He said the issue of reforms has been put in public domain and discussions have already started on several forums. Sibal said that democracy is about consensus and it is possible that some of the ideas do not translate into realities for lack of consensus. The Union Minister parried a question as to whether he had discussed the reforms with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before making the announcements. "This is not something that I can answer publicly. Prime Minister himself, let me tell bluntly, is extremely keen that the education sector needs reforms," he said.

About making class-X exam optional, Sibal said the government wants to implement it in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which affiliates about 10,000 schools. "The state boards are not concerned with it. Any state government which thinks that I am tinkering with the state board exam system, either they have not read my press release or seen me in the press conference (of June 25) making the statement," Sibal said.

He said the proposal to make class-X board exam optional could be implemented in CBSE in a year's time. The decision can be taken at the ministry level and need not be taken to the Cabinet, he said. About the proposed introduction of grading system, Sibal said, "We will see how fast it can take place". He said some of the reforms he has announced are just ideas. "Some of them are ideas. Some of them are decisions and some are policy and legislative initiatives. The reforms are very difficult when you implement them at village level. We need cooperation from state government and from panchayats. If all stakeholders cooperate this shall be done," he said.

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