Calling for quality education for all, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said here on Saturday that “the systems that we put in place” (for the cause of education) should not turn barriers for the poor in accessing it.
While quality education did not come cheap, education-givers should realise that “education is key to the development of poor people.”
He congratulated the Tamil Nadu government for introducing standard curriculum for all schools, which could dispense with disparities. “If some schools were to excel beyond this curriculum, they are most welcome.
Mr. Chidambaram was speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of Chettinad Vidyashram. He said that in spite of the growth of schools in public as well as private sectors, the need for good schools had not stopped. The allegation that private schools had only profit motive was “slightly exaggerated,” though “not unfounded.”
Hardly 15 per cent of those leaving schools in India pursued higher education. This was against the world average of 45 per cent. A number of children were unable to complete schooling, some unable to cross even class V, and at least one million dropped out of schools. “There is a huge gap at every stage.”
Hence it was imperative, he pleaded, that adequate funds be placed at the disposal of the education givers. “Private initiative should complement the public initiative. We must ensure that every child is enrolled and extended education at least for eight to 10 years. They should come out of the school with some skill.”
At least half of those coming out of schools should be helped to join universities. “This is a huge task for which money alone won't do. It requires devotion, discipline and dedication,” he said.
Lauding the service of the Chettinad family for the cause of education, he said this school was an example of “how inherited and accumulated wealth can be used for the welfare of society.”
Union Minister for Shipping G.K. Vasan said school was the place, “where not only the future of the student is shaped but also the destiny of the nation.” He pleaded for extending “quality education at affordable cost.”
S.V. Chittibabu, former Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj and Annamalai Universities, expressed unhappiness at the mushrooming of educational institutions, which did not have “aims and objectives of education.”
He underlined the need for holistic education. Indian culture, tradition and heritage should not be lost sight of. The schools should try to “preserve and perpetuate” the same.
M.A.M. Ramasamy, Pro-chancellor of Annamalai University and president of the managing committee of the school, noted that the institution, which started with just 40 pre-KG students, was now catering to thousands.
Meena Muthiah, founder and senior principal of the school, welcomed the gathering. N. Nagaraju, Regional Officer, Central Board of Secondary Education, and S. Amudha Lakshmi, principal, spoke.
