Govt not acting on key education reforms: Pitroda

The government found itself under attack on Friday, not from the Opposition, but from a key advisor to the Prime Minister, for dithering on implementing education reforms.

The government found itself under attack on Friday, not from the Opposition, but from a key advisor to the Prime Minister, for dithering on implementing education reforms.

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Sam Pitroda, the PM's advisor on infrastructure, innovation and information, slammed the government on Friday for not acting on a series of reforms in education suggested by the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) which he headed during the first UPA term.

"Five years have gone since we made our recommendations. Nothing has happened. All I see is more talk, more discussions. We do not need more discussions, we need to act," Pitroda said, speaking to over 200 Vice-Chancellors of state and central universities from across the country.

In the presence of higher education secretary Vibha Puri Das, Pitroda questioned the need for a national higher education survey which the human resource development (HRD) ministry is launching.

"There is no need for a survey. I will give each of you here 20 questions which I request you to answer. That is all that is needed," Pitroda said, speaking to the VCs.

Some of the NKC's recommendations have been implemented – such as setting up the National Knowledge Network, a nationwide information highway providing high speed internet connectivity to hundreds of colleges and universities. But several other recommendations remain unimplemented.