The article “Tangible targets at school” (Feb. 11) has brought to light the dismal plight of primary education in India. Not a single programme matching the scale and vigour of the NREGS was ever launched and implemented in the education sector. The reason is not far to seek: it does not contribute to the vote bank. The time has come to really modernise primary education to match international standards.
Amit Kumar Singh,
Delhi
One of the dominant factors contributing to the low learning at the primary level, apart from social and economic, is the quality of teaching. Lack of motivation and accountability is the dominant feature. The number of teachers indulging in extra activities to augment their income is on the rise. The academic qualification of most of the teaching community is verified only at random, thus paving the way for unqualified people sneaking into the profession.
V.K. Nair,
Thrissur
A child who drops out before completing Grade V is almost illiterate. We need to make the schooling system attractive and friendly. A committee consisting of eminent people at every panchayat needs to be formed to arrest dropout. To attain the desirable pupil-teacher ratio, retired teachers could be engaged on contract at a nominal remuneration or on charity basis. Corporates can adopt schools, instead of spending crores on cricket.
S. Balasubramanian,
Chennai
