Cong backs Sibal’s grand plans, calls for consensus

NEW DELHI: Congress appears to finally found a way to rally behind HRD minister Kapil Sibal and his plans for education reform. The party���s support, however, comes with a caveat ��� ���reforms should be implemented with consensus across the political spectrum���.

The editorial of the latest issue of the party mouthpiece, Congress Sandesh, recognises the need for reform. ���Kapil Sibal is correct when he speaks of the urgent need for educational reform and the Yashpal Committee has laid down the blue print for discussion���.

This endorsement is the first instance when the party has expressed its support for some of the measures that the HRD minister proposed. Shortly after assuming office, Mr Sibal had announced a slew of measures as part of the effort to reform education. Most of the measures that Mr Sibal announced were recommendations that had been gathering dust with the HRD ministry ��� some from as back as 1990.

Mr Sibal caught the public imagination with his announcement that he would see through the proposal to make Class X board examination optional for students continuing in the same school for Class XI and XII. The idea was mooted in the National Curriculum Framework 2005.

While Mr Sibal emerged as the public hero, a section of the party and some ministerial colleagues were not so impressed by the minister. Congress was lukewarm to the efforts. The criticism forced Mr Sibal to clarify and stress that no measures would be undertaken without consensus.