States accelerating the infrastructure needed for enforcing the Right to Education Act

Updated on: Saturday, January 05, 2013

Noting that "a lot of acceleration" has taken place in states for creating the infrastructure needed for enforcing the Right to Education Act, Union HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju said the Centre would work with state governments to achieve the objective of the landmark legislation.

"I think a lot of acceleration has happened, also because of the intervention of the courts, which have said that states have to accelerate on creating the infrastructure needed for schools. It is a welcome measure," he told reporters here.

"I think we owe it to our children to create these minimum facilities so that every child can go to school. I know states like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal to name a few have expressed some concerns (over implementing the Act). I think their primary concern is shortage of teachers. But, we will work with them towards meeting the objective," he said.

Raju was replying to a query about the preparedness to implement the Act as he had earlier ruled out extension of the deadline for enforcing the legislation beyond March 2013.

"I know it is important to create capacity of teachers. But, I think the larger cause is the cause for the children, who are our human resources and I think we have to create the environment for the kids to learn. I am sure that we can make it happen if we think about it in a positive manner," he said.

To a query, the HRD Minister stuck to the Centre's plan to conduct a single national entrance test for all engineering colleges.

"I think a lot of thought has been applied to this. I think after applying a lot of thought they have come out with this methodology for conducting the engineering exam and then followed by the IIT exam. I would not want to question the wisdom that has been put into it."

The proposal of single exam would make it hassle-free for students who have to take multiple exams otherwise, Raju maintained.

"But on the face of it, what I have come to know is that it saves a lot of hassles to engineering aspirants who have to take multiple exams otherwise. This is one single exam which they can take anywhere in the country. That helps them in a lot of ways," he said.

Raju, however, said the Centre has allowed the states to retain their autonomy in conducting their own entrance exam.

"Simultaneously, we have given the states the freedom to conduct their own exams. So, we are not impinging on their autonomy. I think overall it is healthy. I hope the states would also join this common entrance exam," he said.

States accelerating the infrastructure needed for enforcing the Right to Education Act

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