PM calls for crash programme to improve literacy levels

Hisar, May 19 (UNI) Expressing concern over the slow growth of literacy in the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for a crash programme to increase literacy rate to more than 80 per cent in all regions of the country.

"I am also concerned about the poor functioning of our government schools, especially in rural areas. There is a belief that the quality gap between public schools and private schools is increasing. I believe that a greater effort is required to bridge this quality gap," Dr Manmohan Singh said in his address while dedicating the world's largest 'EDUSAT' (Satellite Education) network at village Khader in Hisar district.

The network was aimed at covering 11,000 educational institutions and providing education to 16 lakh children shortly in Haryana.

The Prime Minister, on the request of Harayana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also approved two more channels for this programme, With this becoming functional, the total number of channels of 'EDUSAT' will become seven.

These two additional channels will cover middle and high schools in the State.

Dr Singh said the 'EDUSAT' programme could be an important tool for improving science education in schools.

The Prime Minister commended Haryana for the rapid strides it has made relating to various spheres of development.

He said numerical skills and scientific knoweledge were the key to success in the knowledge economy and the 'EDUSAT' programme could be an important tool for improving science education in schools.

He hoped that these objectives would be addressed and served by the 'EDUSAT' programme.

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