The innovative ‘Gunotsav’ (Festival of Quality Education) is a unique idea to revamp primary education across 18,000 villages and all urban centres in Gujarat. Raman Vora, education minister of the state, in this interview with Manish Macwan, spells out this and other plans of the narendra Modi government aimed attransforming the state’s education system.
How was ‘Gunotsav’(Festival of quality education) conceived?
Over the past seven years, the government of Gujarat has successfully run school enrolment and women education programmes. Because of these efforts, we have seen 100 per cent enrolment in primary schools across the state. The dropout rate in primary schools has come down to 8 per cent from 42 per cent. Our efforts are not only to deliver education to the people but to ensure it is of a certain quality.
Can you elaborate please?
To deliver quality education to every student, we have roped in 8,000 government officials across the state. Chief minister Narendra Modi, the chief whip of the Gujarat Assembly, all state cabinet ministers, IAS and IPS officers took part in the ‘Gunotsav’. We planned sudden and surprise inspection visits to every primary school for three days in a row. We received tremendous response from teachers and students. We held tests and general knowledge quiz programmes. In the six villages which I visited, some parents were so impressed that they collected money to buy computers for the schools. This shows how public participation works if we give it a good shot.
‘Pravesotsav’(Celebration of Enrolment) was successful. The response even in remote areas was spectacular. How much do you expect from Gunotsav?
First, Gunotsav is not an audit programme. Its aim is to encourage both students and teachers. Some teachers personally request me to celebrate such programmes at least twice a year. Teachers believe that from such programmes, their ability and teaching quality improve and they get encouragement. Already, I can see the results for myself. I hope my teachers sustain their enthusiasm and hopefully, in two to three years, we will see more tangible results. This is not a quick-fix programme. Don’t expect results in the very first year itself.
A state will do well in education if it has a strong system of primary education. So apart from Gunotsav, what extra efforts are being made to improve primary education?
Children should not just get education but education with a cultural ethos. Worship and yoga are a part of it. Everyday, schools in Gujarat declare their own “Aaj ka Deepak” and “Aaj ka Gulab” from among the students. A student does not have to wear the school uniform on his/her birthday.
Gujarat has taken revolutionary steps in primary education. What about higher education?
Right now, we are focusing on primary education. However, we will definitely put efforts into secondary and higher secondary education in the future.Could you specify what kind of efforts you are talking about?
At present, it is difficult to talk about them because I will be able to speak only after the final blueprint is drawn up. This year, we have established 240 new schools. In 2011, the state government intends to start 1,000 new secondary and higher secondary schools to mark the golden jubilee of Gujarat.
Though Supreme Court has strictly banned it, many schools in the state are subjecting small kids to interviews. Parents also have to give hefty donations. What is the state government doing to address this problem?
We wish that every child should study in government schools. Government schools don’t ask for donations. However, the urban people, and specially those belonging to the richer class, believe that government schools are not up to the mark. They send their children to private schools.
You stated at a recent seminar that today education has boiled down to securing good scores in exams only. Do you believe that a change is needed?
To get more marks in exams, parents emphasise on extra tuitions for their children. Unfortunately, teachers are also involved in this malpractice. The state government desires that a child should become not just an examinee but a true student. He/she should take active interest in sports, cultural tours, etc. When a student becomes a scientist or a sportsman, we can call our system one of comprehensive development.
Teachers should not only teach in the classroom but also ensure social development. In the present scenario when commercialisation of education is rampant, what should be done?
The Gujarat government has started schools with science stream education in 40 blocks in 2009. Moreover, 12 engineering colleges have been established in 12 districts. Some years ago, many Gujarati students were going to other states and foreign countries for higher studies. But today, we have enough colleges for them in the state. Now parents from other states demand 15 per cent seat reservation in Gujarat for their wards. If the government delivers proper facilities, Gujarati students will not go out of the state for higher studies. We aim to start engineering colleges in every district. The number of polytechnic institutes and Arts-Commerce colleges will also be increased. Why do students go for management quota in self-financed colleges? As per the government Act, admissions are given on the basis of merit alone.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009
How was ‘Gunotsav’(Festival of quality education) conceived?
Over the past seven years, the government of Gujarat has successfully run school enrolment and women education programmes. Because of these efforts, we have seen 100 per cent enrolment in primary schools across the state. The dropout rate in primary schools has come down to 8 per cent from 42 per cent. Our efforts are not only to deliver education to the people but to ensure it is of a certain quality.
Can you elaborate please?
To deliver quality education to every student, we have roped in 8,000 government officials across the state. Chief minister Narendra Modi, the chief whip of the Gujarat Assembly, all state cabinet ministers, IAS and IPS officers took part in the ‘Gunotsav’. We planned sudden and surprise inspection visits to every primary school for three days in a row. We received tremendous response from teachers and students. We held tests and general knowledge quiz programmes. In the six villages which I visited, some parents were so impressed that they collected money to buy computers for the schools. This shows how public participation works if we give it a good shot.
‘Pravesotsav’(Celebration of Enrolment) was successful. The response even in remote areas was spectacular. How much do you expect from Gunotsav?
First, Gunotsav is not an audit programme. Its aim is to encourage both students and teachers. Some teachers personally request me to celebrate such programmes at least twice a year. Teachers believe that from such programmes, their ability and teaching quality improve and they get encouragement. Already, I can see the results for myself. I hope my teachers sustain their enthusiasm and hopefully, in two to three years, we will see more tangible results. This is not a quick-fix programme. Don’t expect results in the very first year itself.
A state will do well in education if it has a strong system of primary education. So apart from Gunotsav, what extra efforts are being made to improve primary education?
Children should not just get education but education with a cultural ethos. Worship and yoga are a part of it. Everyday, schools in Gujarat declare their own “Aaj ka Deepak” and “Aaj ka Gulab” from among the students. A student does not have to wear the school uniform on his/her birthday.
Gujarat has taken revolutionary steps in primary education. What about higher education?
Right now, we are focusing on primary education. However, we will definitely put efforts into secondary and higher secondary education in the future.Could you specify what kind of efforts you are talking about?
At present, it is difficult to talk about them because I will be able to speak only after the final blueprint is drawn up. This year, we have established 240 new schools. In 2011, the state government intends to start 1,000 new secondary and higher secondary schools to mark the golden jubilee of Gujarat.
Though Supreme Court has strictly banned it, many schools in the state are subjecting small kids to interviews. Parents also have to give hefty donations. What is the state government doing to address this problem?
We wish that every child should study in government schools. Government schools don’t ask for donations. However, the urban people, and specially those belonging to the richer class, believe that government schools are not up to the mark. They send their children to private schools.
You stated at a recent seminar that today education has boiled down to securing good scores in exams only. Do you believe that a change is needed?
To get more marks in exams, parents emphasise on extra tuitions for their children. Unfortunately, teachers are also involved in this malpractice. The state government desires that a child should become not just an examinee but a true student. He/she should take active interest in sports, cultural tours, etc. When a student becomes a scientist or a sportsman, we can call our system one of comprehensive development.
Teachers should not only teach in the classroom but also ensure social development. In the present scenario when commercialisation of education is rampant, what should be done?
The Gujarat government has started schools with science stream education in 40 blocks in 2009. Moreover, 12 engineering colleges have been established in 12 districts. Some years ago, many Gujarati students were going to other states and foreign countries for higher studies. But today, we have enough colleges for them in the state. Now parents from other states demand 15 per cent seat reservation in Gujarat for their wards. If the government delivers proper facilities, Gujarati students will not go out of the state for higher studies. We aim to start engineering colleges in every district. The number of polytechnic institutes and Arts-Commerce colleges will also be increased. Why do students go for management quota in self-financed colleges? As per the government Act, admissions are given on the basis of merit alone.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009
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