RSS has not given me any agenda to implement in education: Vinod Tawde

Interview with HRD Minister, Maharashtra

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activist turned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, 51-year-old Vinod Tawde has taken over as the minister for human resource development (HRD), which includes school, technical, higher, medical, and sports and Marathi language. Tawde, who was among the front runners for the chief minister's post, talks to Sanjay Jog about his priorities. Edited excerpts:

How does Maharashtra propose to run the HRD department on the lines of the Central government? How will its functioning be different, in the light that schools, technical, medical, higher education and sports have now been clubbed?

These are important areas. If HRD is developed in a proper manner, it will be beneficial for the state. The BJP leadership has rightly thought about this. We will think in an integrated manner and not in parts. What is required is the drastic change in thinking process. Currently, funds are used on salaries and wages of teachers and professors. However, it should not be merely treated as administrative expenses, but an investment for the development of students and how it should be put in for proper use. Therefore, integrated thinking of human resources is a basic challenge. I am of the strong view that education cannot be treated as an industry and all efforts will be made to change the image that the education sector is captured and run by a few education barons.

Maharashtra's performance in school education is quite dismal according to various reports. What new initiatives do you plan to increase the enrolment of students,  and how will you ensure teachers do their duties?

It is a reality that the basic education infrastructure is weak in some districts. There are no proper schools. Teachers are missing from schools. In villages and remote areas, agriculture is given more importance while education is treated secondary. This entire thought process will have to be changed. If the teacher is satisfied, he or she will satisfy students academically. I will pay adequate attention to how to make functioning of Marathi language schools sustainable. Bilingual education will be introduced in these schools so that students can face competition and succeed.

In case of higher, medical and technical education, Maharashtra is one of the leading states. However, the state’s institutes remain unchecked as they go on taking huge money from students. What will be your efforts on this front?

Medical and technical education have unfortunately become a money-spinning activity. This thought process will have to be changed.

The autonomy of universities is another issue...

Immediately after I took charge, I have asked the higher education secretary to inform vice chancellors (VCs) of all universities not to enter Mantralaya (secretariat) for pursuing their proposals. If VCs need any government assistance, they should approach the registrar, who will in turn take up the matter with the government. In the past, a few VCs stuck to their stand and never compromised. I do not want Rajabhai Tower (a clock tower in South Mumbai) to bow down before Mantralaya. My attempt will be to give encouragement to universities and not to interfere in their functioning.

Your critics allege you have been made education minister to implement the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS’) agenda in letter and spirit. What is your comment?

If at all the RSS has got some agenda, it is not anti-national or anti-social. If it is implemented in the larger interest of society, why should anybody object to it? Let me make it clear that the RSS has not given me any agenda. However, as a true RSS swayamsevak, I will surely induct Indian philosophy in education. Whatever is needed for Maharashtra will surely be introduced - technical or academic.

The All India Council for Technical Education had said unless existing seats are filled up in institutes in the state, no new institutions can come up. What is being done on this?

It is true there are vacant seats in some institutes. That may be due to the quality of those institutes and also because of old courses they are offering. It is also due to the poor quality of faculty. We will certainly examine it and prepare an action plan. In the present era of competition, institutes should introduce courses in finance management and retail management as this will help increase more enrolment. However, I also feel that AICTE needs to be a facilitator and not create barriers.

What will be government's efforts to get more funds from the Centre?

The Centre has a number of projects and if we are able to implement them in a proper manner, surely we can get good amount of money.