PRIME MINISTER STRESSES UPON THE NEED TO RAISE STANDARDS OF SCHOOL
EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY
GIVE
IMPORTANCE TO VALUES AND INDIAN CULTURE : DR. JOSHI
PLATINUM
JUBILEE OF CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
The Prime Minister,
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has stressed upon the need to raise
the standards of school education, both primary and secondary,
in the country. While complimenting the high standards of Central
Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools in the country, he
said seeing them he was even more strongly reminded of the large
gap between a small number of good schools and the large number
of average schools in the country. The Prime Minister was speaking
at the inaugural function of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
of CBSE held here today.
The Prime Minister
pointed out that secondary education should impart both knowledge
and values to children. He said that modern education experts
also emphasised that school education should give as much emphasis
to the development of child’s Emotional Quotient (EQ) as to his
or her Intelligence Quotient (IQ).
Shri Vajpayee complimented
Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi and his colleagues in the Ministry of
Human Resource Development for showing exemplary determination
towards promoting the cause of universalisation of elementary
education by launching the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
The Prime Minister
released a Special Cover brought out by the Department of Posts
to commemorate the occasion. The cover was presented to him by
Shri Su. Thirunavukkarasar, MOS for Communications and Information
Technology. The PM also inaugurated the new CBSE Academic building,
‘Shiksha Sadan’.
Speaking on the occasion,
Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister for Human Resource Development
expressed his concern over the increasing burden school children
have to bear as regards good results. In this context, he expressed
the hope that by next year the CBSE Board would implement grading
system of assessment at least for class ten. The Minister also
pointed out that exams uptil Class 8 have been eliminated by the
Board.
Dr. Murli Manohar
Joshi expressed concern at some educational institutions taking
in educational inputs which are alien to the Indian heritage,
through process of collaboration. Such processes, Dr. Joshi said,
may not be effective or rewarding in developing an effective Indian
mind. While we should learn from the world their experiences in
the field of Science and Technology, it is important to keep our
roots strong. It is important, we preserve the heritage and legacy
of our rich culture and knowledge and pass it on to the posterity,
he said.
While acknowledging
that the present education system has many vital components for
facing real life situations, Dr. Joshi said, it has distanced
from certain core components which would usher humane and universal
values in the minds of our younger generation. The concepts of
ethics and values have to be integrated in the learning of all
subjects across the curriculum so that the future generation emerges
upholding the basic values system this country has nourished.
Dr. Joshi also
expressed concern about declining interest in the subjects of
the humanities among school going children. At the same time,
he laid emphasis on development of scientific attitude and aptitude,
critical thinking, observation, analysis and hands on experience.
"I think it is time the various National bodies engaged in
the promotion of scientific research and development join hands
with the school system to popularize scientific thinking and approach.
The shift from basic sciences to technology is no doubt contextual
but has to be optimized," Dr. Joshi said.
Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria,
Minister of State for Human Resource Development released a Souvenir
to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee. Shri S.K. Tripathi, Secretary,
Department of Secondary and Higher Education, Ministry of HRD
gave the welcome address, and Shri Shri Ashok Ganguly, Chairman,
CBSE gave the vote of thanks.
