Thanks to Autar Nehru and Summiya Yasmeen for their informative cover story on IGNOU (EW April). Because governments in New Delhi and the states have criminally neglected investment and capacity building in education — particularly higher education — wasting taxpayers money on public sector enterprises and useless government servants, IGNOU offers the only hope of India attaining its target of 15 percent GER in higher education by 2015.But unfortunately IGNOU hasnt built itself a good reputation. The general impression is that it provides low-cost, low-quality education. Vice chancellor Dr. Rajasekharan Pillai should devote more time to addressing this problem and raise the public profile of this excellent but under-sold institution, which is doing the public and nation a great service. Keep such good features coming! Radhika Sharma Kanpur Important milestone This is in response to your thought-provoking letter from the editor (EW April). You have rightly said that enactment of the RTE Bill marks the crossing of an important milestone in our long march to secure QEFA (Quality Education for All). The legislation to enable children aged between six-14 years to receive free elementary education is indeed a splendid initiative in a country where the aam aadmi pays little attention to childrens education. The RTE Act, 2009 is creditable and perhaps the most significant piece of legislation passed by the UPA government. The provision for reservation of 25 percent seats in private schools for poor neighbourhood children is also a step in the right direction. Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal has rightly said that We are set for an educational transformation in India. Legislation of the RTE Act is an important milestone in achieving universal primary education and it will take India to greater heights. Vinod C. Dixit Ahmedabad Pious intent I was shocked to read in your special report ‘Sixty-third disapp-ointment for Indian education (EW April) that a mere Rs.42,036 crore has been allo-cated by the finance minister to educate Indias 450 million children. This is no where close to the estimate of Rs.99,908 crore calculated as needed by Prof. Seetharamu to equip government schools with laboratories, lavatories, libraries, computer labs, additional classrooms, kitchen sheds, and drinking water. Moreover no allocation has been made in the budget for implementation of the historic Right to Education Act. Quite obviously the prime minister doesnt believe in matching his rhetoric (I am what I am because of education) with actual allocations of money. Im afraid your ‘Call to conscience letter will have little impact on the PM who like all politicians doesnt believe in walking the talk. The RTE Act will remain a pious intent without substantial budgetary allocations. Suresh Jayaram Chennai Suspect economics Re your editorial on the Union Budget 2010 (EW April), I fully second your suggestion that the finance minister should tax industry, particularly the IT industry, to raise revenues rather than impose higher petrol and diesel taxes. I wonder why the highly profitable IT industry which has enjoyed tax-free status for over nine years has become such a…
