Mumbai: The Maharashtra Federation of
University and College Teachers Union has expressed shock over
the recommendations made in a report submitted to the state
government by the Anil Kakodkar Committee on Higher Education.
"It is surprising and shocking to learn from the report
that it has taken a stand to dismantle the system of
public-funded education and promote private funded education
(self financing educational institutions) in Maharashtra,"
Tapati Mukhopadhyay, General Secretary of MFUCTU said.
The report has been prepared with a different perspective
to reduce the government expenditure on social infrastructure
and welfare heads, namely education. All recommendations of
the report have been aimed at reducing the role and
responsibility of the government, she said.
"Unfortunately, the Kakodkar Committee has not suggested
anything for saving the public-funded education in India,"
Mukhopadhyay said.
At present with amended Right to Education Bill, the
pre-primary education has gone in the private hand and this
situation has pushed a large number of lower income groups
outside the schooling system, she said, adding in colleges
many students are averted from fundamental subjects like
Physics, Chemistry in science, or in literature.
"They are attracted by the market-oriented subjects. Many
fundamental subjects are closing down. Teachers are becoming
surplus. Many educational institutions and departments are on
the verge of closure," she added.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, September 18, 2011, 15:03