Kerala - Kochi   

‘Keep reforms free of controversies’

KOCHI: Educational reforms should be aimed at the welfare of the public and not be caught in controversies, V. Ramachandran, member of the Central Administrative Reforms Commission, said here on Wednesday.

Presenting his lecture on school education and local bodies at a discussion held here, he urged the stakeholders to increase maximum possible transfer of powers in primary education to local bodies.

But it should be zero transfer in higher education sector, he reminded.

Pointing out that inter-governmental relationship is important, Mr. Ramachandran said that many States in the country have not done anything to improve primary education during the past 10 to 15 years.

He said that a national policy is required to ensure that States give priority to primary education in the next 10 years.

Suggesting that a balance has to be struck regarding the powers of the state and local governments in education, Mr. Ramachandran said that it is not necessary that the funding agency itself should run the schools.

All these issues (in education) should be free of controversies, he said.

Referring to the opposition against reforms, Mr. Ramachandran said that people connected with education and enjoying certain privileges do not want to lose it.

He requested the stakeholders to discuss issues based on facts.

Encouraging social forums to step up discussions on educational reforms, Mr. Ramachandran said that change agents have to work actively to protect the interests of the public.

The discussion was organised by Cochin Centre for Policy Initiatives.

P.C. Cyriac, former chief secretary of Tamil Nadu, Sony Komath of Mahila Association, K. Vijayachandran, former chairman of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, Shajarkhan of All India Democratic Students Organisation, and Jyothi Narayanan, convener of the event spoke.

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