The Hindu : Other States / Union Territories News : SAD opposes Govt. move to privatise education

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Friday, Apr 08, 2005

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SAD opposes Govt. move to privatise education

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 7. The Shiromani Akali Dal president, Parkash Singh Badal, has strongly opposed what he described as "the proposed move" of the Punjab Government to throw the entire school education infrastructure in the State at the mercy of private operators.

The issue would be discussed to chalk out an action plan at the meeting of the party's highest decision-making body, the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) here on Friday.

Through a statement issued by the party's media office here, Mr. Badal described the proposal as a complete abdication of social responsibility by the present regime in a bid to benefit the big "operators at the expense of the poor."The Akali Dal, he said, would oppose this move with all the might at its disposal, as it could not allow the government to play havoc with the future of millions of children belonging to the poor families.

The step would adversely affect the poor who could hardly afford to pay for education even at subsidised government rates. At the same time it would benefit some big business houses that wanted to cash in on the education scene also, Mr. Badal said adding that instead, the need of the hour was to upgrade the existing educational structure through heavy government investment.

Mr. Badal's remarks came against the background of reports that the Punjab Government had called a meeting of private managements to discuss steps to hand over key government educational institutions, especially in the urban areas. This is reportedly the first step towards a total privatisation of school education in the state, a step which Mr. Badal said was certain to throw education completely out to the reach of the poor people.

Mr. Badal said that there was a grave apprehension in the minds of the people that the some corrupt officials and politicians in the present regime were out to sell prime government institutions in cities to private houses at throw away prices. Huge amounts were reportedly changing hands for pushing the deal.

Mr. Badal said that school education was already in a state of shambles and the children of the poor were unable to get quality education because of exorbitant fees in private schools and non-availability of staff in government schools.

The present move, if allowed to go through, could virtually close the doors of education on the weaker sections of society.

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SAD opposes Govt. move to privatise education