Sibal puts focus on Sachar panel proposals

In one of his first reviews of the programmes run by the Human Resource Development Ministry...

In one of his first reviews of the programmes run by the Human Resource Development Ministry,Union Minister Kapil Sibal on Monday held a meeting to discuss the implementation of the Sachar Committee recommendations in the education sector and to chart out a roadmap wherein the Muslim girl child,upgrading teachers skills,and the Central Madrasa Board proposal find prominent places.

Sibals interest in the Sachar Committee was obvious when soon after taking over on May 30,he asked for an Action Taken Report on the committees recommendations.

He feels that primary education and the place of Muslim children in it,especially Muslim girls,are key areas and national-level campaigns need to be launched to focus on this and more Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas need to be opened in Muslim concentration districts. Hes of the view that pre-service and in-service teachers must upgrade their skills to improve on teaching results in backward areas. As far as the Central Madrasa Board is concerned,the minister is of the view that consensus in the community should be built to establish it, a senior official from the ministry said.

It is learnt that Sibal is keen on focusing the ministrys energy on primary education of minorities and to correct the current scenario of the Muslim girl missing from the education map. A national campaign should be launched to ensure education for the Muslim girl child and state governments need to be persuaded to take up the matter on priority basis,he is learnt to have said at the review meeting held on Day 2 of his taking over the ministry. Bridging the gap between Muslim enrollment and the national average is another area of concern and the ministry is expected to take some tangible steps to mainstream these students. The expansion of the National Urdu Council and promotion of Urdu language also need to be taken up on priority basis,he is said to have opined.

While the number of Muslim out-of-school children has decreased from 21 lakh in 2005 to 9.4 lakh in 2008 and enrollment in primary and upper primary school levels is also increasing,a lot more needs to be done. The future roadmap towards implementation of the Sachar Committee recommendations includes proposals to allocate 15 per cent resources for all minorities,replicating skill development schemes in all states,strengthening UNI Urdu service and UGCs remedial coaching scheme for competitive examinations,creating the Central Madrasa Board,and creating statutory basis for the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutes.