Rupandehi, September 16 :

Minister for Education and Sports, Dr Mangal Siddhi Manandhar today said the policy and programmes on joint efforts by the government and communities were formulated to elevate the education standards of community schools.

He stressed the need for quality technical and job-oriented education system. Laying the foundation of Shankarnagar Higher Secondary School in Butwal, Manandhar said, “It is necessary to raise the standards of community schools by gving the responsibility of managing the schools to the community while the government will bear the economic responsibility.”

Social justice is not possible until the quality of community schools is brought at par with that of private schools, said Manandhar. Though 20 per cent of students study in private schools and 80 per cent of students study in community schools, the quality of private schools is better, said Manandhar, adding that as long as there are two categories of schools and students, equal opportunities cannot not be provided.

He said 20 per cent of the national budget should be allotted to education sector. The minister said 20 percent of students from the age of six to ten are deprived of school education.

District education officer, Diwakar Awasti said that there was the problem of teachers’ quota and also of school buildings in the district. Congress district president, Ram Chandra Dhakal, CPN (UML) district secretary Lila Giri, CDO Dhrubaraj Wagle also expressed their views. Officials said that the three-storeyed 24-room school building will be constructed at a cost of Rs 21.3 million within two years.