Focus to provide high quality higher education in the country

Speaking at a function here, the minister said "in the 12th plan the whole focus will be on quality of education for kids. We need to make quality education", he said.

Colleges and universities will be encoruaged to get accredited. 'We are encouraging colleges and universities to get accredited. We even had brought a bill which will make accrediation compulsory. Unfortunately, because of certain other issues in Parliament, it was not passed', he said.

There was 30 per cent shortage of faculty in higher education and there was need to consolidate these aspects, he said.

"There are standards we will benchmark in terms of quality of faculty, mobilty of faculty was another aspect which the government was contemplating ie the faculty going abroad and those from abroad coming here". This would bring in the element of multiple experience.

Pointing that there were several challenges and opportunties for India, he listed the young population of 55 crore kids below the age of 24 as the opportunity India had. These children can make significant diffference not only for the country but all over the world. They can also contribute to the growth of the economy, he said.

Technology was plying a very enabling role in education, he said, adding, what was importat was how you use the technology for personal and professional growth, he said.

Raju inaugurated the 'Vidyajyothi Edcuational Encoruagement Programme' at the St Teresa's college here under which 250 free tablet PCs were distributed to students from 6 assembly segments in Ernakulam district who had scored 'A plus' in all the subject in the last SSLC examination.

The Right to Education Act makes it compulsory for every child to go to schools. All states and centre are working towards this by 2013. Those in poorer strata we are making it inclusive. Schemes like Mid day meals have been implemented which has led to gross enrolement ratio, especially of girls, going up.