The commission on Common School System (CSS) has suggested drastic reforms in Bihar's school education system to ensure social justice and equality in elementary education. But the suggestions, to be put into action, will require a huge expenditure running in thousands of crores by the state exchequer.
The panel has recommended a nine-year plan for guaranteeing Right to Education and evolving a CSS under which "the goal of free and compulsory education for all children in the age group of 5-14 years will be achieved in five years" and to universalise secondary education in eight years' time.
During its nine-month term, the commission, headed by Muchkund Dubey, conducted a comprehensive survey of the state's school education and submitted its report to chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday.
Noted educationist Anil Sadgopal is its secretary while state HRD's principal secretary Madan Mohan Jha its member-secretary.
The state government will have to spend on an average Rs 17,221 crore every year over a period of nine years to
achieve the goals.
"Ensuring the fundamental right to free and compulsory elementary education under Article 21A and developing a CSS can be by no means a cheap option," Dubey, a former diplomat, said.
He said a series of recommendations to transform the structure of school education in Bihar have been made by the commission. "Besides huge financial investments, a strong political will is also needed to implement these recommendations which also cover private schools," he said.
The recommendations include reducing the present 13-layer school structure in terms of classes to a three-layer one. "The regulation of the private schools will be the responsibility of the state government. They will have to admit children without any discrimination," said Sadgopal, adding they will have to provide free education up to Class VIII and the fee afterward will have to be regulated by the government.
According to the recommendations, if private or "elite" schools refuse to abide by the rules, the government can take an initiative for their closure.
The commission has also prepared a comprehensive Bihar Right to Education and Common School System Bill for consideration of the government and legislature.
Dubey and Sadgopal said the Centre and the state government should join hands for mobilising the additional resources required to develop the CSS.
"The state government should allocate 20 per cent of the total budget outlay for school education and approach the Central government with a request to meet at least 50 per cent of the expenditure," Dubey said.
Dubey also advised the chief minister to meet the Prime Minister and press for allocating 6 per cent of the GDP for education which, he said, was currently no more than 3.5 per cent. The entire fund of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan can be diverted to Common School System, the commission suggested.Labels: academy awards, career training, financial aid, free college, free education, high school, scholarship, student loans, study abroad |
