Centre criticised for trying to reorient education policy

Bhubaneswar, Oct 12: All India University Employees' Confederation (AIUEC) today accused the Union Government of trying to reorient education policy which, it claimed, would kill public-funded education and encourage private sector to take over.

"AIUEC condemns the move by the Union Government.

It is hell-bent on reorienting education policy which is meant to cause slow-death of public-funded education and instead encouraging and facilitating private sector to take over education in India," AIUEC said in a statement here.

The AIUEC is opposed to the negotiation underway in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for the establishment of a Mega Trade Agreement on services, including educational services, under the General Agreement in Trade in Services (GATS), said Bhabani Hota, President of AIUEC and former MP.

If brought under the WTO/GATS mandate, education in general and higher education in particular would be a tradable service only and no longer a "public good", he said.

Stating that this process had started in installments since the days of launching New Economic policy in 1991, AIUEC President said the present government is carrying forward the policy of its predecessor in a more aggressive form.

To oppose the move of the Government and to create awareness, AIUEC along with other organisations of teachers and similar outfits is co-sponsoring a National Convention on October 14 where about 1,000 delegates including 200 from AIUEC from across the country would be participating, said Hota.

PTI