We have already initiated various programmes in different parts of the country, and are planning a year-long education seminar at Nasik , said M N Chaini, President of the IMC. Also present at the seminar, Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission, Sam Pitroda, said that India needs a much broader vision for the education system. Education is critical to industry but we need more human capital. The role of the teacher must change to that of a mentor, said Pitroda, also stressing the fact that the demand was exceeding supply in most parts of the industry. We have 380 universities across In dia but we need 2000 and only eight percent of the students go to a university when ideally it should be 25%. 95% percent of our universities dont produce good students, he added.
Pitroda also said there is a need for de-regulation in the education industry and that more regulatory authorities were required for higher education. There will be a fair amount of resistance from the system but the future of our children is in the hands of the community, not in the hands of a ministry. There must be a generational change, not an incremental change, said Pitroda.
Stressing that technology is necessary to change the face of education, Pitroda said that it was time to change the methodology of the system. We need people who will demand change. We need a groundswell of support, which we dont have enough of, he said, emphasizing on the need to look at problems from the district level, allowing the local community to pool in to find solutions.
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