[EDLING:2233] dnaindia.com : 'Teaching English from Class I is a must'

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Full Story can be found at
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1074115


'Teaching English from Class I is a must'	
 By - Vineeta Pandey 



National Knowledge Commission suggests sweeping reforms of education
system

NEW DELHI: Suggesting radical reforms as the only way out to completely
transform India's knowledge sector, the National Knowledge Commission
(NKC), headed by Sam Pitroda, has recommended some revolutionary changes
in the present education system, in its final report to the Prime
Minister. 

Given the onus to prepare a blueprint for reforming education and
knowledge sector, the NKC has recommended sweeping reforms, including
setting up of 1500 new universities, to meet the growing demand for
higher education, and making English language compulsory from Class I
onwards. 

Agreeing that the higher education system is in need of comprehensive
reform, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said a consensus has to be built
on it now. "These are ideas that merit serious discussion," the PM said.

The NKC has maintained a diplomatic silence over the issue of
reservation of seats in education. While suggesting that a number of
affirmative actions should be taken to provide social justice, the NKC
recommendations say: "Reservations are essential but are only a part of
affirmative action. The Deprivation Index of students should be taken
into account while taking affirmative action." 

With a special focus on higher education, the NKC has recommended
creating more universities for more opportunities. 

"About 1500 required to enable India attain a gross enrolment ratio of
at least 15 per cent by 2015. The focus should be on new universities
but some clusters of affiliated colleges could also become universities.
Establish 50 national universities in long term and at least 10 in the
next three years," it says. 

The experts have suggested for reforming existing universities and
undergraduate institutions by revising and restructuring curricula and
the annual exams which NKC feels is just test of memory. 

"Rather, understanding should be supplemented with internal assessment,"
NKC has recommended. Higher education institutes should be encouraged to
adopt a needs-blind admission to prevent them from taking financial
factors in account while giving admission. 

Finding flaws in the present system for regulation of higher education,
the NKC wants a complete revamp. It feels the barriers are too high and
cumbersome, and the system is over-regulated and under-governed. 

"Hence, an Independent Regulator Authority for Higher Edu (IRAHE) could
be established by an act of Parliament. It should be the only body to
grant degree granting power to institutions and UGC should focus only on
disbursement of grants, and maintenance of institutions." NKC recommends
teaching of English as a language along with the first language (mother
tongue) from Class I itself. 


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