The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : On basic education

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Saturday, Dec 22, 2007
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

On basic education

The observation by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen that public education is indispensable is laudable. Policymakers should understand that they do not create a level-playing field when they encourage private participation in primary education. The best thing to do is to let all children irrespective of their wealth attend the same schools. Once they are out of school, they can compete for higher qualification.

Professor Sen’s observation that private schools cannot meet the deficiencies in basic education is true. If India does not heed the prophetic words, it will never progress.

N.N. Raju,

Visakhapatnam

* * *

Professor Sen’s view on the need to ensure basic education to all needs no emphasis. Most private schools function for commercial gains. High dropout rates in primary schools continue as the basic problem of poverty has not been effectively tackled. Greater connectivity and use of computers as effective tools in education will have relevance only if parents have the means and enthusiasm to send their children to school. Corporates with social responsibility can play a positive role by utilising the services of dedicated, trained persons looking for teaching jobs, and pave the way for the development of human resource.

M. Govindaswamy,

Chennai

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