LS members calls for evolving common universal education system

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) Expressing concern over the dual education system for the rich and poor in the country, members in the Lok Sabha today urged the Government to take effective steps to provide free, compulsory and uniform education up to higher secondary level.

Moving a resolution to this effect, Ram Kirpal Yadav (RJD) regretted that instead of revamping the education system inherited from the British to fulfill the needs of free India, the dual system is widening the gap between the rich and poor with the former being educated in public schools and the latter in government schools.

Calling for a common and universal education system, Mr R P Verma(SP) said of the official literacy figure of 65.49 per cent only 20-25 per cent could be really called literate. Claiming that Indian education system has locked up productive potential of its people, he called for a system which could make every citizen a skilled person using his or her productivity which would go a long way in banishing poverty.

Mr Verma said by giving quality education to 54 per cent young population of India the country could use its potential to frame its foreign policy to derive global benefits for her.

Dr Sebastian Paul(Ind) wondered how India could become a great nation when more than one third of her population continued to be illiterate. He called for an education system which could bridge the divide between ''shining India and dark India''.

Mr Bhartruhari Mehtab (BJD), however, instead of favouring free education called for introducing accountability in the government education system to get better results.

Mr C K Chanderappan (CPI) held lack of political will and determination at the Centre responsible for the country not achieving 100 per cent literacy. He said if Kerala in spite of being economically backward than many states could achieve hundred per cent literacy what prevented the Centre with immense resources at its disposal for achieving the objective.

The discussion on the resolution remained inconclusive.

UNI