Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Sep 21: Deputy district programme coordinator of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyana, Shivaprakash, called upon the people and educationists alike, to exercise care and nurture a deep concern, to ensure that the legislation brought by the union government to provide free and compulsory education to the children, turns into a people-friendly movement.
He was speaking after inaugurating the twin districts-level ‘Shikshaka-Shikshana Saptaha 2010’, which went under way in the city on Monday September 20. He also said that basic facilities like toilet, drinking water, library, classrooms etc., will be provided in all government schools by March 2011 and that steps are afoot to improve the reputation of the government schools and bring them on par with private schools.
The programme was organized at ISD Padua in the city by the Union of Education Resource Centres in association with the District Education Resource Centres, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, and PADI, Mangalore.
“A policy is being drafted to implement the proposed act at the state level. On this context, an opportunity has been given to the general public to air their opinions. The people should make use of this opportunity properly,” he said. As per the new law, the students hailing from financially poor families will get a chance to get education even in prestigious educational institutions along with other students, from first to eighth standard, he stated. At the same time, he expressed deep concern at the efforts being made to undermine this provision. As an example, he cited the open opposition expressed by the head of an educational institution from Bangalore, against this provision.
Prema Ranjan, president of Dakshina Kannada Union of Education Resource Centres, presided. Dayavati and Janardan Bhandarkar participated as chief guests.
Educationist, Krishna Shastri Balila, participated as resource person. Renny D’Souza, director of PADI-Velored, proposed vote of thanks. Narayan K welcomed.
The programme will continue till September 26.