'Maintain status quo on quota'

The National Knowledge Commission is of the opinion that the status quo on reservation in central educational institutions should be maintained till new and more effective avenues of affirmative action are found to achieve the goal.

Announcing this at a press conference here on Monday, commission chairperson Sam Pitroda pointed out there was a difference of opinion within the commission on the issue of the proposed new reservation.

"Six of the eight members feel until new avenues are explored, the status quo on reservation should be maintained. Two members disagree with this view. Jayati Ghosh supports the extension of reservation and P M Bhargava supports the extension of reservation, subject to certain conditions," he added.

He said the commission firmly believes that a knowledge society should be a socially inclusive society, which must reflect in the educational institutions.

"This is a historic opportunity to craft more effective polices to make educational institutions more socially inclusive. But how we go about doing this in a way compatible with the goals of the knowledge society is a difficult task and requires more social debate and careful thought," he stated.

Pitroda said that the education system requires reorientation. "It has to be shaken up. There should be preference for course wise credit. Why should limitations be imposed on persons willing to study diverse subjects? There is also a need for improving the quality of teaching," he added.