Do we need reforms in educational sector and if yes, what are those?

I have had the privilege of looking into our educational system so keenly. I have studied in government schools when government schools were doing well. I have seen the rise of private sector in education. I have had the privilege of looking into what are all the Human Rights in India. I have studied the settled judgment of the Supreme Court where the Court has maintained that education is not a business in commercial sense. Many may not know that imparting education should still be a charity. No private college can say that they have earned so much money and take their share and its because of the fact that it is prohibited. Anyone can do charity by starting an educational institution. But, we are sure that many starts educational institutions to make money or to get recognition, but, surely not as charity with big heart.

             Many may say that private sector has contributed so much when it comes to imparting education or imparting quality education. I disagree with that and I would like to deal with the negative things of this private sector participation in education.

             When I was in my elementary school, I have seen good enrolment to government schools, good teachers, good premises and disciplined and planned approach. We used to have a moral class, drill period, morning prayers, a good play ground and good friendships without any regard to cast and creed. It was a good atmosphere and we all have received good education at that time. Irrespective of ones financial background, everyone could get good education at that time. I could become a lawyer now only with that background and I could not have pursued my education now with the existing perceptions about joining in governments schools and changed atmosphere there.

             I don't support private participation in education except higher education or research institutions.

             The loss to the society with the private participation is as follows:

1. It is very costly:

             Today, for getting enrolled to pre-kg, one should pay more tuition fee and it is equal to what we have paid to pursue our law. There is a strong perception in the minds of the people that they should not send their children to government schools. There is a rapid decline in enrolment to government schools. Government allocates so much money and sponsors education as right to education is ones inseparable right. With the perception that getting enrolled to government schools is a wasteful exercise, even a daily wage labourer has to spend too much money on education and he could not continue providing private education to his children and the result will be stoppage. Many abruptly leave their studies and work for survival. Its true that, despite our GDP growth, industrial growth, FDI, working in silicon valley, Obama talking about India and many other references, we can't expect increase in everybody's income. Many in India still leave in below poverty line. There are no employment opportunities to the extent needed. With this scenario, if the perception that 'getting enrolled into government schools is a wasteful exercise' exists, it will impact our real growth. We are all talking about literacy only, but, not the rate of higher education. I am sure that crores of people in India could not make their children educated from private schools, but, they hesitate to send their children to government schools. We need to change this perception and if it is not changed, then, there will steep increase in inequalities among people. The gap between elite and the poor will get widened. Government is duty bound to provide education to everyone. Merely running a government school will not amount to discharging the basic constitutional responsibility of providing good life and education to every citizen in India. Government should take note of realities and must take effective steps as to how to ensure that every citizen gets good and continued education. Government should provide education to all and the present day situation of buying education should change.

2. Education has become business:

               We had a planned approach in government schools. When I was in elementary school, our system in school is very good. We have leisure period, moral class, drill and specific time for sports. Now, all these are lacking in private schools. They are concerned with getting good percentages, marks and so that they can market that results and seek more enrolments next year. Its a very dangerous thing. I am sure that today many children do not even know the basic things like "one should respect elders" and "lying is a sin". Private schools may not have time to teach morals, but, the society will be having negative impact with this type of system. Our educational system should give good citizens to nation. Our private institutions are making a student as a skilled tool, but, not as a good human being. Its a dangerous trend. The greatness of India lies in its values and the discipline. We are loosing our greatness slowly. The government should focus on this and strive towards making the private sector to impart value oriented education.

3. No regulatory framework or improper implementation:

               Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has made it very clear that education is not a business at all. If some private school or college collects fees, then, it should account as to the expenditure and the remains should be used only for development of college and other connected facilities. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has unequivocally has declared that education should be "charity" always. Despite the settled position when it comes to imparting education, many do not even know that "imparting education is a charity". Many do see that it is a big business and it is legally permitted. The Government should take effective steps to regulate this private educational system in India and I am sure that if the regulations are tough with the good public participation, then, many will wind-up their colleges and there won't be new enrolments. We are seeing only good new buildings through private colleges and thinking that the private sector has contributed and contributing so much in education, but, we are forgetting the fact that many buildings and colleges in government sector are being kept vacant or unused. Is it not illogical to say that private sector has contributed so much to imparting education by merely looking at the steep increase in colleges and the new buildings? So, the Government should have a tough regulatory framework and should implement the law that education is not a business. Yes, even now we have a law and regulations, but, there is no effective implementation.

        I am not against private participation or private sector, but, my intention is only to expose the impact and the loss to future generation. India should come-up and we must be truly developed. We should not live in illusions ignoring the ground realities.

        I request the readers to post their ideas about the current educational system, the set-backs, private participation and what are all the corrective measures.