The Hindu Business Line : Knowledge panel for holistic study of reservation issue

The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) has said there is a need to study the issue of reservation in educational institutions holistically to look at whether the historical instrument of providing access to education through quotas is the solution for the future, or whether there are better avenues of affirmative action.

Addressing media persons here, the NKC Chairman, Mr Sam Pitroda, advocated increasing the number of universities and colleges in the country. "At present, only seven to eight per cent of our population under the age of 25 get to go to college. We need to increase it 20 per cent. Why can't we have 70 IITs instead of just seven," he said.

No simple answer

Asked about the Commission's views on whether there was a need for reservation, Mr Pitroda said, "It is not a simple yes or no. We all agree that there should be equal opportunity for every child and that if the child is capable, the society must provide resources for that child to go through the best possible education institution. But how do you do that? In the past we have done it with quotas — in the future is that the answer? Before we say yes, let us examine it, and look at new reality of future."

He said that the Commission would analyse the outcome of reservation in the past, and its results.

Re-engineering processes

Mr Pitroda emphasised that Government processes needed to be re-engineered, before computerisation. "For instance, we currently have 11 different identity cards including voter ID card and ration card. Why can't we have one unique number like the social security number, from where everything can flow. Such a solution will be simple and cost effective. But the various departments feel the need for separate numbers," he said.

Mr Pitroda said the Knowledge Commission would soon present its views in areas including translation, libraries, distance education and undergraduate education.

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