Bihar: CM opposes Centre's decision on model schools

Updated on: Friday, December 02, 2011

Inaugurating the second annual conference of Nai Taleem (new education) here on Thursday, CM Nitish Kumar said that knowledge would be linked to skill as per the concept of Mahatma Gandhi. He said earlier in primary schools, children were also taught some skill. "I too learnt to run spinning wheel and weaved gamcha in primary school," said Nitish.

The CM recalled that the concept of Nai Taleem had been experimented by Gandhi during his Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar and it was due to his efforts that as many as 391 basic schools were opened across the state. He lashed out at the policies of the Centre for imposing educational projects which the states have to implement. "The Centre has decided to open model schools in each block. From the expenditure to be incurred on each model school, we can open at least four high schools," Nitish said and pleaded that the state government should be allowed to work independently in the education field.

He said that opening of Navodaya and Central Schools is fine, but not the model schools. Bihar has over two crore children in schools. The CM said that a whopping Rs 10,000 crore is spent on education. The monitoring of the expenditure in primary, middle and high schools is done by the government, but not the expenses on higher education. "The government should also get the details of the expenditure on universities as well as the quality of education," Nitish added.

He said that in the 391 basic schools, education would be linked to skill for the revival of these institutions. A committee, comprising three IAS officials -- HRD principal secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, principal secretary, labour, Vyasji and principal secretary, health, Amarjit Sinha -- has been constituted and given responsibility to create a model for Nai Taleem incorporating the ideals of Gandhi as well as modern education.

The committee will work out and submit its recommendation in a year, the CM said and added, "I and the committee members will camp at Rajgir in December 2012 to finalize the project. The HRD minister will also be invited. The government is ready to provide the required fund."

HRD minister P K Shahi said that the purpose of the two-day annual conference-cum-workshop on Nai Taleem is to ensure all-round development of the students. Gandhi had introduced basic school concept against the Macaulay education system. The CM awarded Kumari Manisha of Andaman and Farhan Irfan of Patna and released 'Liberating Education for a Knowledge Society' on the occasion. National Rural Council, Hyderabad, chairman S B Prabhat was among others who spoke.

Times of India

Bihar: CM opposes Centre's decision on model schools

More Education news