The Minister state for Human Resource Development, Dr. Shashi
Tharoor has said that the intervention by the Ministry in controversy
over the Four Year Degree Course by the Delhi University will set a bad
precedent. Replying to a volley of questions by the people belonging to
the various parts of the country and abroad over hour long social
media, ‘Google Hangout’ in New Delhi today, he said the Ministry’s role
is to frame policy and to see that all the due process are observed by
the University authorities.
It is the prerogative of the University to
bring in the change they deem it are required. Replying to another
question on why the majority of the schools in India place so little
emphasis on giving students knowledge and skills required by them, Dr.
Tharoor admitted that our existing system is for preparing kids for
examinations.
But efforts are being made by encouraging more research
and providing University with greater flexibility. Replying to another
question on the implementation on RTE, the Minister said, to keep
children in school, particularly belonging to weaker section of the
society including girls, SC and ST is a big challenge. The Government
is trying to give incentives to stay in school and not to drop out by
providing toilets in schools and setting up girls hostel for the
disadvantaged groups. He emphasizes the role Mid Day meals schemes in
checking dropouts of kids from school.
In response to another question on problems of higher education, the Minister said the Government is focusing on expansion with equity and promotion of excellence. The Minister highlighted the role of greater linkage between academics and Industry for imparting skills to the students to enhance their employability. When asked about disruption of Parliament by opposition, the Minister said disrupting Parliament is complete betrayal to democracy and the people they represent.
