Govt emphasising on high school education

Ramanath Rai inaugurates hall, office at College of Teachers' Education

Minister for Forest and Ecology Ramanath Rai has said that knowledge on education will help to make a society free from atrocities. Besides, it would also help prevail equality in society.

Speaking after inaugurating a hall and office of college of teachers’ education here on Saturday, he said that education is essential for the development of a country. Education helps to bring in social change. The government has initiated literacy mission and ‘Sampoorna Saksharatha’ programmes to improve literacy rate in the country. To give emphasis to primary education, the Centre has released Rs 52 crore under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to Dakshina Kannada district, to provide basic infrastructure facilities to the schools. With Rashtriya Madhyamika Shiksha Abhiyan, the government is emphasising on high school education. The RMSA is in its initial stage of its implementation in Karnataka.

DSERT Director Ramrao H S said that the Central government has chalked out programmes to give a boost to education department since last year. Accordingly, the syllabus of BEd and DEd courses have been modified with a modern touch. The research wing of the department has been given impetus. A revised teachers education plan is given importance wherein the Central government releases 75 per cent of the cost while state has to bear 25 percent of the cost for the plan. Under revised teachers education plan, about Rs 56 crore was sanctioned to the State and Rs 20 crore has been released last year. The education department secretary will present programmes on the revised teachers education plan before the MHRD on June 20. The state is likely to get Rs 200 crore under the plan this year, he added. Teachers have a responsibility in moulding the life of the students, he said.

Mangalore south constituency MLA J R Lobo said instead of cramming for examinations to get good marks, the students should take part in extra curricular activities, to develop their personality. “Instead of burdening children with syllabus, it is better to make them enjoy their childhood. Children’s rights should not be curtailed.  Several students in city do not have information on agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry. There is a need to create interest in these sectors. The children should be made to face challenges in society without losing heart, he added.

College of Teachers’ Education Principal Philomena Lobo, Nirmithi Kendra Director Rajendra Kalbavi, newly-elected Corporator A C Vinayraj were present.