Maharashtra govt to bring out white paper on standard of education

A white-paper on the standard of education in the state would be brought out this year, Maharashtra Education Minister Rajendra Darda made this announcement here today. "The white paper will be tabled in this year's winter session (of the Assembly)," Darda said adding that the real situation, drop-out rates of students and other factors will become clear through the document. Stressing on the "value-based" education, the minister said that education should not be confined to the four walls only. "Emphasis should be given on the quality of education, in the absence of which, tribals and people from backward class cannot go forward in their lives," he said while replying to a debate on the topic.
Darda said that in order to curb the alleged irregularities in the sports quota marks, henceforth 25 grace marks will be given to those students, who pass the exam. "Under the sports quota, students from standard 10 and 12 were allocated 25 grace marks. However, several irregularities came to light, as some students indulged in acquiring fake certificates by paying bribes," he said. The minister also said that a meeting will be held soon with the secretaries of General Administration, Finance, Education, Urban Development Departments over implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission for civic school teachers. Hindi would be made a compulsory subject from standard V, as per the 'three language principle', he added.