NRI foundation moots BOT model for education

The country's education system should be allowed to function on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model to attract greater private participation, suggested Atul Temurnikar, chairman and CEO of Global Indian Foundation (GIF). GIF, a non-profit foundation set up by NRIs, is eyeing tie-ups with Indian partners interested in setting up world-class educational institutions.

“As far as education is concerned, the government should play the role of a regulator and not get involved in governance,” said Temurnikar. In the US and Europe, the government functions more like a regulator ensuring that the educational institutions do not take people for a ride, he added.

Education in India would improve only with more money and infrastructure pouring in. This could happen only when more players enter the sector — irrespective of whether it is a corporate entity wanting to make money or a non-profit organisation interested in improving the quality of education — he said.

GIF runs three schools in India and has presence in the Asia Pacific region with schools in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam.

“World over, education offers huge potential and so does India. There is a lot that needs to be done in the field of education in India,” said Temurnikar.

GIF started a concept school for tribal students in Gujarat in June 2007 that is running successfully, imparting life skills apart from academics for students.

The foundation is combining various educational practices that it has found useful from across the world to form a blueprint to give the best of it to the Indian student along with a scholarship for top students.

The curriculum is designed to develop a student into a global citizen. The three-pillar strategy involves holistic development of the student along with development of his personality and entrepreneurship skills.