Addressing the gathering of teachers at the Award ceremony for Delhi Government school teacher, Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal expressed concern over the commercialisation of education. He said, “Commercialisation of education is the biggest drawback for any education system. It is one such sector which should not be turned into a business as the profit motive often gives platform for many irregularities.”
He further added, “We get complaints about fee hike in private schools, demand for donations for admissions, irregularities in nursery admissions etc. while we are trying to improve the standard of education in public schools. We are seeking suggestions about how these complaints can be tackled and the profit motive can be kept away from the sector.”
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that the Delhi Government is exploring big reforms in the education system and education should not merely offer degrees but dignity too. He said, “We will allocate 25 per cent budget to education, conversion of 54 government aided schools into pilot schools where the atmosphere is more lively and appropriate for learning. But these are just indicators and not achievements.”
It is to be noted that the Delhi Government has announced 25 per cent reduction in the syllabus for primary classes upto VIII standard from October onwards to introduce more skill based education and extracurricular activities. The government is coordinating with CBSE to work out how a similar reduction in the syllabus for the classes 9 to 12 can be done.
