The Hindu Business Line : Spotting excellence

This is with reference to "In pursuit of excellence and inclusion in education" (Business Line, April 16). One needs to revisit the concept of educating the future generations by introducing innovative methods.

While the current educational system suits a segment, we need to devise new patterns to implement our desired objective of `inclusive education'. Training in skills which are appropriate for a segment of the population, combined with the basic knowledge of language, arithmetic, civic sense, and so on, is one of the sure ways of achieving success in this endeavour. One needs to create awareness of the advantages of such a curriculum so that the children are voluntarily sent to the schools.

Sport has been neglected for too long. While we are fighting over reservations in post-graduate education, people in power have not made any effort to tap the enormous potential in sports.

Why is it necessary to have the best of the training facilities in the metros? Will it not be a better idea to have them in multiple district-level locations where the basic skills are available in abundance and waiting to be tapped? Spotting excellence is the primary task. To identify and implement systems for this is the first step. To nurture such talents, it is essential to build public-private model so that the truly talented benefit and the benefit reaches all.

V. Balakrishnan

e-mail

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in