The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : School dropouts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 28, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

School dropouts

Sir, — The observation that "it would require the state to put its money where its mouth is" ("On unconscionable dropout rates," Feb. 25) should nudge the Centre to adopt well-thought-out policies to provide equitable, quality education for all. Educationists, grassroots activists as well as economists agree that education is a job for the Indian state. No developed country depends on the market to educate its children. Nor can it be left to volunteers, part-time teachers or NGOs.

Vasantha Surya,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — To tackle the problem of lack of adequate supervision, grassroots bodies such as broad-based village level education committees should be constituted. These could consist of locals and government representatives and serve as a watchdog.

G. Natarajaperumal,
Shenkottah, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — India cannot even make significant progress, let alone become a superpower, when more than half of its young are school dropouts.

As pointed out in the editorial, given the long history of failed attempts at `universalising' elementary education, the Prime Minister needs to evolve a concrete proposal and bring about an `iron law of development.'

R. Shafarunnisa,
Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — The Government should convert the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan into a national movement on the lines of the polio eradication programme and the green revolution.

The system should be changed to make education more accessible, accommodating and vocation oriented.

Sridevi Kumar,
Chennai

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion