Education news

BJP to oppose `cultural encroachment' in education
Party to fight curriculum that `distorts ancient history and disfigures culture'

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Education Minister, Ghanshyam Tiwari, has defended the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government's decision not to implement the curriculum recommended by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), while affirming that his party would not tolerate "cultural encroachment" in the field of education. Mr. Tiwari warned that cultural invasion in the garb of globalisation of education would not be accepted.

Addressing a public function at Mahawar Auditorium in Alwar on Wednesday, Mr. Tiwari said any curriculum that "distorts ancient history and disfigures Indian culture" would not be allowed not just in Rajasthan but anywhere in the country. "English education should not lead to falsification of history and disparage the pride in our past," he said.

The Education Ministers from the BJP-ruled States, led by Mr. Tiwari, had boycotted a conclave convened in New Delhi last month to discuss the draft National Curriculum Framework (NCF) with the charge that an attempt was being made to push through the NCF without proper consultations. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists had also tried to disrupt the meeting while demanding that the previous textbooks be brought back.

Mr. Tiwari was felicitated as "Rozgar Purush" (employment idol) by the Bhagya Lakshmi Rashtriya Chetana Mission at the function in recognition of his role in providing jobs to thousands of teachers. Mr. Tiwari pointed out that Rajasthan was the only State in the country where teachers in the Government primary schools had been appointed through the State Public Service Commission.

The Minister pointed out that though he was "a fierce opponent of English and Anglicised culture", he saw no harm in English education for availing of employment opportunities. "However, education in English should conform to our norms and refrain from invading our culture," he said, adding that the knowledge of English would enable the youngsters to get jobs overseas.

The noted septuagenarian scholar, Pandit Jagmohan Shastri, felicitated Mr. Tiwari in the function on behalf of the citizens of Alwar amid chanting of Vedic hymns. Mr. Tiwari was presented with a silver crown, a memento and a letter of appreciation felicitating him as the "Rozgar Purush". It was pointed out that Mr. Tiwari had set an example in Rajasthan for other States to follow. The Minister affirmed that Rajasthan had occupied the highest position in the education sector during the present Government which had provided a great relief to a large section of population by introducing reforms and appointing teachers. He assured that no discrimination would be made in the salary scales of teachers.

While stressing that education was "another name for employment", Mr. Tiwari said the State Government had taken a revolutionary step of appointing over 50,000 teachers and recognising 800 new private colleges and 120 bachelor of education institutions. He said works valued at Rs. 2 crores each had been taken up in all Assembly constituencies in the State.