Play a role in inclusive education, Sibal tells private sector

New Delhi, May 18: The private sector must play a major rule in inclusive education, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said while suggesting a slew of innovative measures to encourage the sector to provide education to the less privileged. Government schools premises, he said, could be given to the private sector for conducting evening classes with 50 percent students from less privileged sections.

“Municipal and government schools can be given to the business class after school hours. You can run skill development centres or evening schools,” Sibal said on Monday while delivering the 38th Shri Ram memorial lecture here. “Take 50 per cent students from the less privileged class, government can pay their expense. Rest 50 per cent can pay their fee,” Sibal said.

Other government buildings and offices which were free in the second half could also be used, he suggested. “Let the buildings be used for a constructive purpose, not for marriage and parties,” he said in a reference to the widespread practice of using government schools and buildings for conducting marriages and other functions.