New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) Accusing the Centre of abdicating its responsbility in the primary education sector, noted jurist Ram Jethmalani today said human suicide bombers were being produced by ''destructive education in ramshackle schools'', and the government had to be held responsible for it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the drop-out rates in schools, Mr Jethmalani (nominated) said the government had been increasingly abdicating its responsibility in the education sector under the pretext that it figured in the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
''It is this attitude of the government that the country is faced with its biggest problem of suicide bombers, who are being produced by destructive education in ramshackle schools,'' an agitated Mr Jethmalani told the House.
The noted lawyer said if education had been shifted to the Concurrent List, it only put a greater onus on the Centre to provide quality education in the country.
''It (primary education) is all topsy-turvy,'' he remarked.
Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, rather taken aback by the remarks, said, ''I can't match wits with such a legal luminary, but the inclusion of Education in the Concurrent List does not mean that the government has abdicated its responsibility.'' Mr Singh also said education was an important subject, and it would require at least half-an-hour discussion to put the issue in its correct perspective.
Earlier, CPM member Brinda Karat also accused the Centre of abdicating its responsbility under the pretext that education had been included in the Concurrent List.
Observing that drop-out rate in schools was closely inter-linked to right to education, she regretted that a 2004 draft legislation on the issue had been gathering dust.
Ms Karat also drew attention to the Kapil Sibal Committee report, which suggested shifting the onus for ensuring education to children in the 6-14 age group from the Centre to the states.
The Minister once again pointed out that the issue could not be adequately dealt with through a Supplementary. ''The House need a Short Duration discussion on it,'' he added.
Both Mr Jethmalani and Ms Karat appeared far from being satisfied with the minister's reply.
UNI/SKS VA KP1247
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the drop-out rates in schools, Mr Jethmalani (nominated) said the government had been increasingly abdicating its responsibility in the education sector under the pretext that it figured in the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
''It is this attitude of the government that the country is faced with its biggest problem of suicide bombers, who are being produced by destructive education in ramshackle schools,'' an agitated Mr Jethmalani told the House.
The noted lawyer said if education had been shifted to the Concurrent List, it only put a greater onus on the Centre to provide quality education in the country.
''It (primary education) is all topsy-turvy,'' he remarked.
Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, rather taken aback by the remarks, said, ''I can't match wits with such a legal luminary, but the inclusion of Education in the Concurrent List does not mean that the government has abdicated its responsibility.'' Mr Singh also said education was an important subject, and it would require at least half-an-hour discussion to put the issue in its correct perspective.
Earlier, CPM member Brinda Karat also accused the Centre of abdicating its responsbility under the pretext that education had been included in the Concurrent List.
Observing that drop-out rate in schools was closely inter-linked to right to education, she regretted that a 2004 draft legislation on the issue had been gathering dust.
Ms Karat also drew attention to the Kapil Sibal Committee report, which suggested shifting the onus for ensuring education to children in the 6-14 age group from the Centre to the states.
The Minister once again pointed out that the issue could not be adequately dealt with through a Supplementary. ''The House need a Short Duration discussion on it,'' he added.
Both Mr Jethmalani and Ms Karat appeared far from being satisfied with the minister's reply.
UNI/SKS VA KP1247
Oneindia Login