Party forces Sibal to eat some of his bold words

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New Delhi: While BJP-ruled states like Gujarat and Chhattisgarh have come out in support of Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal’s educational reforms proposals including optional Class X board examinations and a uniform board for the entire country, the minister is isolated within his own party. At least five Congress-ruled states — Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Assam — have expressed reservations against his proposals. Many have also raised concerns about the Foreign University Bill whose passage is on Sibal’s priority list.

Under attack from within the party, Sibal today signalled a retreat, saying that he will not be “pushing down (these proposals) anybody’s throat” and will be calling all “stakeholders” for a “dialogue” in the coming weeks. Claiming he was not “going back” on his commitments, Sibal told reporters that while he was not in a hurry, some of the reactions seemed to have been in a hurry. For now, he would seek to carry forward his initiatives only in the CBSE board.

Maharashtra Education Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil expressed strong reservations against the Centre’s proposal for a uniform board.

“The state will definitely like to see the draft. There are so many issues involved — state’s culture, history, language, etc. In board examinations, we cannot compromise on Marathi language. The state should be consulted. Why should you have a centralised system of education? Education is the responsibility of the state. Why are you taking it out? “ Vikhe-Patil told The Indian Express over phone. On the move to make the Class X examination optional, he said that the Maharashtra government would first want to go through a draft of any such proposal before making a comment.

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Secondary School & Intermediate Education D Manikya Varaprasada said the state government was studying the Yashpal Committee recommendations. “But we want to continue the Class X board examination. Some sort of an examination is required. We want to examine his proposals. We will come to Delhi soon and discuss the issue,” Varaprasada said.

Haryana Education Minister Mange Ram Gupta said, “He (Sibal) has made some proposals. It is his view, not ours. When he calls a meeting of state ministers, we will see.” Pressed on his government’s stance, he said, “If I say no, you will say we are opposing the Central minister. Why should I say that?”