Raising quality of education and taking it to all in the country major challenge: Kushwaha

New Delhi: Raising the quality of education and taking it to all in the country are major challenges before the government in the education sector, Minister of State for HRD Upendra Kushwaha said on Saturday.

The Union minister said this at a gathering where 33 teachers from across the country were conferred the CBSE Teachers' Award for the year 2015.

Raising the quality of education is a challenge. "We all including the Prime Minister are concerned about it," Kushwaha said.

Schools have been set up in villages, but more is needed to be done to take quality education to those living in rural areas, he said.

On the need for ensuring education for all, he said that there cannot be islands of developments in today's time.

The minister lauded CBSE, saying it has maintained a high standard. That is why it was being entrusted with additional responsibilities like conducting tests for admissions to medical colleges and hiring of teachers for organisations like Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, he said.

Secretary School Education in the HRD Ministry S C Khuntia noted that of the 33 teachers who won awards, 20 were principals, and suggested creating a sub-category for them. He also suggested a sub-category for teachers who work for inclusive education.

CBSE Chairman R K Chaturvedi, in his speech, expressed concern over aspects like commercialisation of education.

The CBSE award consists of a merit certificate, a shawl and a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar could not attend the event as he was unwell. Sources said that Javadekar has been running high fever for the past couple of days.