Union Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal on June 1 held a meeting to discuss the implementation of the Sachar Committee recommendations in the education sector and to chart out a roadmap wherein the Muslim girl child, upgrading teachers’ skills, and the Central Madrasa Board proposal find prominent places. Sibal’s interest in the Sachar Committee was obvious when soon after taking over on May 30, he asked for an Action Taken Report on the committee’s recommendations. “He feels that primary education and the place of Muslim children in it, especially Muslim girls, are key areas and national-level campaigns need to be launched to focus on this and more Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas need to be opened in Muslim concentration districts. He was of the view that pre-service and in-service teachers must upgrade their skills to improve on teaching results in backward areas. As far as the Central Madrasa Board is concerned, the minister is of the view that consensus in the community should be built to establish it,” a senior official from the ministry said.
It is learnt that Sibal is keen on focusing the ministry’s energy on primary education of minorities and to correct the current scenario of the ‘Muslim girl missing from the education map’. A national campaign should be launched to ensure education for the Muslim girl child and state governments need to be persuaded to take up the matter on priority basis, he is learnt to have said at the review meeting. Bridging the gap between Muslim enrolment and the national average is another area of concern and the ministry is expected to take some ‘tangible steps’ to mainstream these students. The expansion of the National Urdu Council and promotion of Urdu language also need to be taken up on priority basis, he is said to have opined.