Strengthening primary education system in the country is the need of the hour and both State and Central Governments should jointly work towards this. Similarly, all sections of people must take social responsibilities to ensure that primary education is better organised to provide a strong foundation of academic career of the youth of the country. This was stated by senior Congress leader and AICC election committee chairman Oscar Fernandes here on Saturday.
Speaking after inaugurating a two-day national seminar on “Right to Education: How far and how near” at the Ravenshaw University, Fernandes, a former Union Minister, said primary education is the foundation of a student’s educational career. “Unfortunately, this sector (primary education) is severely handicapped in our country.” He rued, adding that both State and Central Governments should give adequate emphasis on it.
Fernandes suggested that office-bearers at the panchayat level take it as a challenge to ensure that no children in their areas are at least deprived of primary education. “Panchayat bodies should now begin an endeavour on it,” he further suggested.
Rajya Sabha member Baisnab Charan Parida said primary education in Odisha is in a dilapidated state. While lack of proper infrastructure is mainly responsible for this, lack of dedicated school teachers is immensely adding to the sad state of affairs.
Parida also on the occasion announced a Rs 30-lakh grant from his MPlAD fund towards building a guesthouse of the university. The university, which was a college till 2005, doesn’t have a guesthouse of its own. University Vice Chancellor Prof BC Tripathy, who presided over the inaugural session, said construction of the guesthouse would begin soon.
later on a request from the Vice-Chancellor, Fernandes enthralled the audience playing tune of Hum Honge Kamyab on mouth organ