Kapil Sibal calls upon states for partnership in education reforms

New Delhi: Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for HRD has called upon the states for support and partnership for bringing in educational reforms in the country.

He was speaking during the inaugural session of the Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE) Meeting here today.

The Minister underlined expansion, inclusion and excellence as the three underlying principles for educational reforms. Sibal particularly called for collaboration from State Governments with regard to the Right to Education (RTE).

He pointed out that Rs.1,50,000/- crore would be required for implementing the RTE in the country. It is perceived that there will be a shortfall of Rs.60,000/- crore as regards this massive exercise, which will have to be addressed he said.

Sibal pointed out that in order to provide equal opportunity to all students trying for professional courses, a core curriculum in Maths and Science needs to be formulated. He informed the Members of the Meeting that in a recent Meeting, COBSE has endorsed the framing of this core curriculum in Maths and Science and a Committee of COBSE has been constituted to draft the outlines of this curriculum in two months.

Sibal emphasized that diversity in education was to be respected and there was no intent of having a single board in the country.

With regard to higher education Sibal, in his address, indicated the reforms being mooted in this sector. He said that his Ministry was in the process of formulating the structure for an overarching body for higher education that would be responsible for higher education policy.

He said that some of the proposals for higher education included complete autonomy to universities for devising courses, cross fertilization of courses, research oriented universities etc. He also said that he was open to the idea of Indian universities collaborating with foreign universities or with the corporate sector.

He pointed out that the corporate sector was showing increasing interest ineducation as they require trained manpower.

The HRD Minister stated that he is in the process of dialogue for the creation of a Central Madrasa Board. He clarified that he did not want to interfere at all with religious education. But he emphasized that he wanted to empower minorities with equivalence of Board exams so that they could move into the university system and be eligible for jobs.

He also underlined commitment towards the Schedule Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Minorities, the differently abled, and other disadvantaged sections for which the same opportunity as the rest of the children of the country must be provided.