Mangalore: Complaints Aplenty About BJP as HRD Minister Meets District Congress
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, Jan 4: In a discussion with the union minister for human resource development (HRD) Pallam Raju, the district Congress on Friday January 4 launched an attack on the 'indecisive' rule of BJP government in Karnataka
Addressing the reporters at the district Congress office, in the presence of minister Pallam Raju and other Congressmen, MLA U T Khader said, "Over the five years, the state government has given least importance to constructing high schools, pre-university and degree colleges, nor has it implemented any educational project."
"The state government has been showing off with ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyana’, which was launched by the centre. Whenever questions are raised in the state assembly regarding the future of education in the state, the government indulges in blame game, pointing fingers at the centre for not being supportive," he added.
He further urged the minister to recommend central syllabus across the state as it can help students to perform better in NEET and other competitive exams. "The economically well off students who have studied under state syllabus can afford tuitions but not the poor," he said.
Demanding action on alleged saffronization of textbooks, he said, "Saffronisation of Swami Vivekananda is acceptable, but not of BJP."
MLA Vijay Kumar Shetty said, "Of the Rs 1,870 crores of central funds, the state BJP has used only Rs 560 crore for development purposes and rest of the money has been used for the temples and Maths," he alleged.
"The centre should depute persons to regulate the central funds and ensure their proper use," he added.
MLA Shetty requested union minister to recommend setting up of a central university and IIT in Mangalore, as the city is known as an educational hub.
J R Lobo said, "Subjects of history in the syllabus have been changed according to the requirement of the state government. If this continues, there is greater damage to the nation. A policy should be implemented to strictly stop such changes.
"The present curricular put greater weightage on computers. Apart from science and mathematics, equal importance should also be given to agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. Agriculture is the backbone of our country and today it is forgotten," he lamented.
'Mangalore deserves an IIT'
Answering all the pleas and appeals, minister Pallam Raju said, 'Mangalore consists of enlightened voters. The port city should be a benchmark of quality education and strive for excellency. The city does deserve an IIT. I will bring this matter to the attention of the government."
Stressing greater importance on quality education, the minister said, “There is no substitute for quality. It comes with hard work and dedication."
"Earlier the port city was known for trading spices and fish. It should also be a place for knowledge and education. Apart from law and order, primary education of people should be stressed upon as it is fundamental right of every citizen," he said.
"There is a need to set up research and development wing in every educational institution with public-private partnership or with industries in order to make education more practical and bring in innovation," he said.
MLA Ramanath Rai, Ivan D'Souza, Vinay Kumar Sorake, mayor Gulzar Banu, P V Mohan, Mithun Rai, Arun Coelho, Denis D’Silva, Suresh Ballal, Manjunath Bhandary, Umanath Kotian and other members were present.