Online edition of
Survey evokes mixed reaction
Staff Reporter
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Baby says State always accorded highest priority to education
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Kerala below national average in higher education: N.A.
Karim
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The
emergence of Kerala as the top performing State in elementary education in
the country as per the survey carried out by the National University for
Educational Planning and Administration recently has evoked mixed
reactions from the political and official circles in the State.
Welcoming the survey
result, Minister for Education M.A. Baby said the State has always
accorded the highest priority to the education sector. Even the amount
that should have been allotted to other sectors such as bio-technology,
tourism and information technology are being set apart for education. "But
this has indirectly affected the State when it comes to seeking financial
assistance from the Central Government for the education sector," he said.
Citing the State's developed status they (Central Government) accord
priority to backward States such as
A view also backed by
the former Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer.
"
However Mr.
Basheer felt that the higher education sector
in the State leaves a lot to be desired. The national survey, which
covered a total of 11,24,033 schools in 35
States had taken into account access, infrastructure, teacher and outcome
indicators to compute the Educational Development Index.
M.
Sivasankar, director, Public Instruction. said
the survey does not offer any room for complacency. "We have a good
mechanism in place. But there are still a number of problem areas. In
places such as Tirunelli in
Wayanad children have to walk up to eight
kilometres to reach the school," he said. Mr.
Sivasankar also stressed the need to identify
specific projects such as post literacy activities, and English education
to get funds from Centre.
Noted educationist N.A. Karim said Kerala fares below the national average when it comes to higher education.
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THE HINDU, 23 April, 2007 |