Teach basics of all religions in middle schools: Panel

Seema Kaul

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 28

Concluding that “all is not well” with school education in the country, a committee headed by former top bureaucrat TSR Subramanian has recommended teaching of the basics of all religions in middle schools to inculcate values like compassion, courage and non-violence among them.

To ensure children learn to co-exist and have no hatred against anybody, recommendations also list values like secularism, satya (truth), dharma (duty), shanti (peace) and non-violence to be taught to students.

“Access, quality and equity of education are the basics,” Subramanian told the Tribune when asked about the basic thrust of the recommendations for the New Education Policy. Refusing to share details of the actual recommendations made in the report, Subramanian spoke more about the overall philosophy of the report and what it sought to achieve. The report has been submitted to the HRD ministry and has not been made public.

The panel also talks of helping students from smaller towns and backward areas to adapt to colleges in cities where medium of instruction is English by suggesting ways of achieving it. Remedial coaching and senior students’ support go a long way in helping such students to adjust to a faster pace of life and culture in a big city.

Noting that capitation fee, corruption in transfers and postings and privatisation of education have happened on a large scale, the report calls for immediate remedy of the system, noting that “all is not well” with the present education system.

Use of computers and ICT has also been recommended for greater efficiency in delivery of education services. The report has also recommended the creation of an All-India Service of education professionals to bring a common link and language across the country’s education systems. At present, officials have specialisation in specific areas of education. This cadre of officers will serve as a link between the Centre and all states on education matters and will be able to adapt an overall policy guideline to specific area requirements.

Stressing yoga is the ideal exercise, the committee has recommended its inclusion in the NEP.