Make educational reforms methodical: Sitharam Yechury

Citing India's poor education standards, CPI-M politburo Sitaram Yechury demanded a change in the education policy.

To provide free education for all, the existing policy must be modified methodically, he said while inaugurating the south Indian camp of Students of Federation of India at the Dasara Exhibition grounds, in Mysore on Saturday. He called upon the government to form a regulatory authority on the lines of insurance and banking sectors to streamline the education system. Private schools have become commercial. Hence to curb the system, the government must implement a common admission policy and syllabus across the country.

Though free education for children from 6 to 14 years was introduced in 1950, it is yet to be implemented. The lapse is due to lack of political will, said Yechury. In developed countries like the US and UK, education is free. "So, to become a developed country we too should give free education to children," added Yechury.

Of 100 students, 84 students do not reach Class 12, while hardly 9% continue studies. It is a disgrace for India which cannot provide basic amenities like schools, drinking water, nutritious food, health care but afford a tax relief of Rs 1,20,000 crore for the affluent class.

When union finance minister Manmohan Singh presented the budget this year, he mentioned a tax exemption for various corporate companies to the tune of Rs 80,000 crore and Rs 40,000 crore for the rich. Of Rs 1,20,000 crore, the government could have provided schools and other facilities for the students across the country. "In the past one year the number of billionaires in our country has doubled from 26 to 52. Through this system, the rich are becoming richer and the poor are becoming poorer," added Yechury.

Historian K M Pannikar, Nilotpal Basu, Kerala finance minister T M Thomas Issac, higher education principal secretary Thomas Joseph will take classes for delegates during the four-day event.Selected comrades from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are taking part in the camp. Former MLA G.V. Sriram Reddy, theatre personality C. Basavalingaiah and office-bearers of SFI were present.