This refers to the editorial “The art of schooling” (March 29). Sri Sri Ravishankar's remark that students from government schools become naxalites and take to violence is irrational and unwarranted, particularly at a time when we need to encourage public schools to end the monopoly of private schools which have become educational shops. Privatisation of education would mean denying the fruits of knowledge to the marginalised sections.
Many people occupying some of the highest posts in the country are products of government schools. Moreover, naxalism is not the result of a lack of ideals in public schools; it is the result of exploitation by corporates and governments, leading to the displacement and oppression of the marginalised. The government has a moral responsibility to provide the kind of education one could expect from sophisticated private schools.
T. Marx,Puducherry
Can you imagine a scenario in which there are no public schools in India? I don't know how many private schools settle for a decent fee and do not charge capitation during admission. Private schools would not exist if they did not continue to make a profit. I hope we will never see the day when only private schools exist. Sri Sri Ravishankar should let competent authorities speak on the subject and stick to what he does best.
Hema Raman,Chennai
Education provided by private schools is gaining importance and popularity only because well trained teachers are employed by them, not because of better teaching methods.
Improving the quality of teachers and infrastructure in public schools will lead us to the goal we want to achieve.
Rahul Saraf,Kolkata
Private schools can at best “top up” the government's efforts. Instead of running schools with an elitist image, the private sector should start schools in remote, rural and backward areas, if it is earnest about contributing to the cause of education.
D.N. Raghavendra Rao,Bangalore
Our village school building was taken over by a powerful man and converted into a cowshed. Ten private schools were functioning in private homes and children were shifted to them. For some time now, the rich in the village have shifted to the nearest town for their children's schooling. Last year, the Secretary, Department of Primary Education, Orissa, reorganised the system. Our village school started functioning. One hundred and seventeen children study there now. If all governments display the will to improve public schooling, they can work wonders.
Radhakanta Barik,New Delhi
