The Tamil Nadu Government's move to implement Equitable Standard School Education will provide a “new direction” and set an example to other States with regard to introduction of common syllabus for all schools, said S. Muthukumaran, former Vice-Chancellor of Bharathidasan University.
Dr. Muthukumaran committee, constituted by the State Government, has submitted a report giving various recommendations on implementing Common School Education system. “I am quite sure that Tamil Nadu will set an example for other States to emulate as the new system will lead standardise all schools and ensure quality education,” he told The Hindu here on Friday.
Stating that the student community at large would benefit immensely from the uniform system, Dr. Muthukumaran observed that the new system would pave way for bringing in “neighbourhood school concept” to the fore.
“The objective of our committee's recommendations was that there should be standard education in all schools. When there is equitable system, all schools will become good schools without any distinction in quality,” he felt.
Applauding the Tamil Nadu Government's decision to create a Common Board by merging all four Boards (State Board, Matriculation, Anglo-Indian and Oriental), the former Vice-Chancellor said, “There is nothing to worry for any section. Interests of all sections in the current four streams will be protected.”
The S. Muthukumaran Committee was appointed by the State Government in September, 2006 and had submitted its report in July, 2007. After a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Chennai on Wednesday, the State Government had announced its decision to implement the Equitable Standard School Education system in Tamil Nadu from next academic year.
Dr. Muthukumaran was in the city to speak on ‘Reforms in school education' at the Centre for Educational Research, Madurai Kamaraj University.
