RSS calls for nationalistic, value-based education

Nagaur (Raj), Mar 12: After asking the government to check "subversive" elements indulging in "anti-national" activities in universities like JNU, the RSS today called for value-based and nationalistic education in an atmosphere of equal opportunity.

Asserting that the private sector was becoming aggressive in the education field, the RSS also pitched for a stronger regulatory body, possibly decentralised to ensure quality education for all.

The RSS in the annual meeting of its highest decision- making body -- Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) -- passed two resolutions on education and medical and healthcare, while calling upon the state governments to make efforts to make these two sectors accessible to all the people in the country.

A resolution said the ABPS is of the opinion that every child should get "value-based, nationalistic, employment-oriented and skill-based education in an atmosphere of equal opportunity".

Yesterday the RSS asked the central and state governments to "deal strictly with anti-national and anti-social forces and ensure the sanctity and cultural atmosphere by not allowing our educational institutions to become centres of political activities".

"Privatisation and commercialisation of education has created difficulties for the common man to get their wards quality education. Quality education should be available to all at an affordable price," said Anirudh Deshpande,

Akhil Bhartiya Sampark Prakukh of the RSS at the press briefing on the second day of the three-day ABPS meet. He said a strong regulatory body was needed in the country to take care of it and to "control the private institutions".

"Though we have a regulatory body, but we need to strengthen it and if required, it should be decentralised." Deshpande claimed with the course of time, governments are also withdrawing from the sector of education and budget allocation is also reducing.

"Governments are withdrawing and the private sector is becoming aggressive which has made the situation problematic for the student. The government should increase budget allocation for education," he said.

"The government should strengthen the autonomous self- regulatory mechanism for the education institutions in terms of their quality, infrastructure, service conditions, fees and standards so that its policies are implemented in transparent manner.

"It is utmost essential to ensure proper training, appropriate salaries and strengthen the dutifulness of the teachers to enhance their standard, both in state-run and private schools," the resolution said.

"Quality medical facilities should be available to all at affordable prices...There is also need to spread the medical education, inclusion of other branches like Ayurveda and Unani is also required," Deshpande said.

In the resolution, the RSS has appreciated free medicines schemes initiated in some states. "The schemes of free distribution of medicines started in states in last few years and the proposal made for 3000 generic medicines centres by the central government in the recent budget are welcome moves.

The ABPS also called upon the country's industry groups, voluntary and social organisations and charitable trusts to further come forward to make facilities available for people.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, BJP President Amit Shah and other leaders were present in the meeting which began yesterday.

PTI