School Teachers’ Federation of India (STFI), the teachers’ wing of the CPI (M), is working for the improvement of education standards. Abhijith Mukherjee, president and K. Rajendran, general secretary, were in Medak to participate in the three-day Telangana State United Teachers’ Federation (STUTF) meeting held last week and spoke to R. AVADHANI . Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Where do we stand in terms of education standards?
We are lagging far behind when compared to other nations in providing quality education to students. We are at 139th place among 186 countries across the globe.
What are your suggestions for improvement?
There is a need to amend the Right to Education Act and provide free education to students from the age of 3 to 18 whereas under the existing system, we cover students between 6 and 16. Focus on pre-primary education is the need of the hour. In addition, we are demanding the allotment of 6 per cent of the GDP for education. We are also demanding an increase in the allocation amount for mid-day meals. Is it possible for the government to enter into pre-primary education?
Early childcare and education were left out of the RTE Act and we are demanding that it be covered by upgrading anganwadis and linking them with primary schools running with State funding. The medium of instruction must be the mother-tongue. The Tripura government has successfully established a pre-primary system and about 80 per cent of children are already covered.
Why was there serious objection to making Bhagavad Gita a national book?
The BJP government at the Centre has been trying to communalise education and bring about division in the society. We are opposing this tooth and nail.
R. AVADHANIWhere do we stand in terms of education standards?
We are lagging far behind when compared to other nations in providing quality education to students. We are at 139th place among 186 countries across the globe.
What are your suggestions for improvement?
There is a need to amend the Right to Education Act and provide free education to students from the age of 3 to 18 whereas under the existing system, we cover students between 6 and 16. Focus on pre-primary education is the need of the hour. In addition, we are demanding the allotment of 6 per cent of the GDP for education. We are also demanding an increase in the allocation amount for mid-day meals.
Is it possible for the government to enter into pre-primary education?
Early childcare and education were left out of the RTE Act and we are demanding that it be covered by upgrading anganwadis and linking them with primary schools running with State funding. The medium of instruction must be the mother-tongue. The Tripura government has successfully established a pre-primary system and about 80 per cent of children are already covered.
Why was there serious objection to making Bhagavad Gita a national book?
The BJP government at the Centre has been trying to communalise education and bring about division in the society. We are opposing this tooth and nail.
