Chennai – Statement by AIFETO National Secretary V. Annamalai; “As educators and champions of public education, we, the teachers’ union AIFETO, wholeheartedly endorse the concerns expressed by Senior Congress Leader and Parliamentary Congress Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on the Modi Government’s education policies. Her criticism brings to the fore the perilous path of centralisation, commercialisation, and communalisation that jeopardises the very fabric of our education system.
Maintaining Educational Autonomy and Decentralisation
Indian education has traditionally been a joint responsibility of the central and state governments so that regional needs can be taken care of properly. But the growing centralisation of decision-making authority by the Union Government is ignoring the various educational needs of various states and communities. The Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) has been inactive for almost five years, in effect muffling the voice of state governments and teachers. A democratic education system has to be established on cooperation, not one-way decisions.
Opposing the Commercialisation of Education
The trend towards privatisation and commercialisation of education is very worrying. Education is a right, not a commodity that can be sold and purchased. The systematic disengagement of government support for public schools and the thrust towards private schools sets up an uneven system where only the elite have access to quality education. The government’s hesitation to finance the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) while encouraging the PM SHRI model schools further widens the gaps between well-endowed elite schools and struggling public schools. All children, regardless of economic status, are entitled to high-quality, free, and equitable education.
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Denying Communal Influence in Education
The communalisation of education through text book changes and ideological intervention within educational institutions constitutes a grave threat to India’s secular fabric. Education must remain a forum of critical thinking, inclusivity, and diversity rather than an instrument of political Indoctrination. Schools and universities must promote unity and enlightenment and not disseminate divisive narratives.
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A United Call to Action
The never-ending “carnage” of India’s public education system has to stop. As educators, we join hands in calling for:
- A decentralised and inclusive policy-making process with active engagement of state governments, educators, and stakeholders.
- Greater government investment in public education so that every learner gets quality learning free from financial constraints.
- A pledge to secular and impartial education, unadulterated by ideological contamination.
Learning is the foundation of the progress of our country. We ask the government to reassess its policies and put the needs of students, teachers, and institutions ahead of political agendas. The hour is now—to save the future of our children and the honesty of India’s education system.” He stated in the statement.
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