New Delhi: Noble laureate Amartya Sen on Monday regretted a lackadaisical approach to primary education
since Independence, and pitched for enhanced government focus
on the sector for robust economic growth.
Praising Jawaharlal Nehru for his pioneering role
for the growth of technical education in the country, Sen
said the late prime minister`s attitude for primary
education was, however, "lamentable".
He said though "Nehru had the understanding of primary
education and was committed to it, but in terms of
channelising resources, priorities or planning, there was a
big failure," he told reporters.
"His attitude to primary education was deeply
lamentable in my view but he did understood one thing, mainly
the importance of technical education," Sen said.
The focus on the sector was less than Japan and Korea
in those days, he said, adding there was a need to broad base
the education and health care sectors.
Sen said though India has many achievements in the
success of a small group of privileged people who are well
trained in higher education and specialised expertise, "yet
our educational system remains deeply unjust".
Though he refused to answer on the Lokpal issue, the
noble laureate, however, said "there was now greater
commitment on the part of the society today to have it
eradicated".
He also dismissed the notion that there has been a
dramatic increase in corruption related issues at present
saying the "extend of corruption has remained unchanged".
Sen was conferred a doctorate in Literature by the
National University of Education Planning and Administration
(NUEPA) at a function attended by HRD Minister Kapil Sibal.
Sibal said the government was committed to giving
access, equipment and quality as regards education to
children.
PTI
