To ensure that children of all strata of the society gets the benefits of learning, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said that India needs a new school every seven minutes in order to give quality education to slum children.
She was participating in a live chat with users on Facebook, while she expressed: “Statistically, India needs a new school every seven minutes. Ours is the largest school system in the world. I agree, we can do better.”
The interaction was part of Ministry’s effort to enhance participation for its ‘100 Women Initiative’ to recognise women achievers. The minister also felt that an increased participation from men will be fruitful in creating gender sensitivity.
“Men’s role is the most critical since all the violence is male-generated. One of the ways to tackle this is at the school stage. So, we have started something which will go into effect in a few months, called ‘Gender Champions’ under which boys will be chosen who have been particularly respectful and helpful to girls and deserve to be emulated and rewarded,” she said.
“Prizes will be given to a person in each class annually. It can also be given to a girl who has been outstanding in her bravery or attitude, etc,” she said.
She also said that media is more sensitive to women issues in India as compared to abroad.
“Personally, I find that the media is more sensitive to women’s issues in India as compared to abroad,” she said while answering a question during the live interaction.
