Private school managements have demanded the resignation of Primary and Secondary Education Minister N. Mahesh after he likened students in private schools to parrots as opposed to their counterparts in government schools, whom he referred to as eagles.
He also compared private school teachers with nuns for their strict enforcement of discipline, which “kills creativity”.
He was speaking at a convention of Government Schools Old Students’ Association organised by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Saturday. He later justified his statements and said, “A lot of discipline kills creativity.” He drew on the analogy of birds to reference modes of learning. “Students in private schools are like parrots and only repeat what you say. Whereas students in government schools are eagles and make their voice heard,” he said, and added that government school students even argue with their teachers to get their point across.
He then went on to question the role of private schools in society, and claimed that they only contribute to the betterment of Switzerland, America, and Russia. “Government school students, on the other hand, contribute to society by becoming police officials and taking up other jobs in our country,” Mr. Mahesh said.
He commended government school students for their behaviour, and said they were hundred times more intelligent than those in private schools.
Private school managements have demanded his resignation. D. Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, said they condemn the Minister’s statement.
“How can the Education Minister make a statement showing private schools in poor light? His understanding of education is very poor and we urge the Chief Minister to change his portfolio as he is unfit to be the Education Minister,” said Mr. Kumar.
He said managements were deeply hurt by his irresponsible statements which amounted to discrimination against their students.
‘English only as a language in govt. schools’
Clearing the confusion over introduction of English in government schools, Mr. Mahesh on Saturday said English would be taught effectively only as a language in 1,000 government schools. The Minister said while English was already being taught as a subject in government schools, it would be taught effectively by recruiting more English teachers.
