Focus on how a child learns, says Sibal

Democracy starts in a classroom and the focus should be on how a child learns instead of how an institution should teach, said Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Monday.

Democracy starts in a classroom and the focus should be on how a child learns instead of how an institution should teach, said Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Monday.

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Sibal was in the city to attend the First Ramrao Adik Oration on ‘Education- Challenges and Future,’ organised by The Ramrao Adik Charitable Trust, at the Taj Mahal Palace.

“There is no flexibility in the system and knowledge cannot be stratified in three fields —science, commerce and humanities. We need a multi-disciplinary educational system,” he said. Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, and D.Y. Patil, the Governor of Tripura were also present at the event.

Sibal said the education sector will receive the biggest investments and competition among universities will enhance quality. But the Gross Enrollment Ratio — number of students enrolling into universities, must be increased he said.

India’s current ratio was 12.4 per cent which must increase to 30 per cent by 2020 for which 1,000 additional universities and 45,000 new colleges are needed.

“The Education Tribunals bill will take care of disputes in the system,” he added. He spoke about the 14 proposed innovation universities and the need to create intangible wealth for the nation’s progress.