You are the Chairman of a Committee, constituted by the government, to suggest measures to improve the quality of education in state-run schools. In view of the increasing dropout rate and the widening gap between students' learning ability in state-run and private schools, answer the following questions: (a) Examine the role of government in the education sector, especially providing primary and secondary education through state-run schools. (b) Identify the principles and values that would guide your recommendations in this regard. (c) Suggest some ways in which quality of education in state-run schools can be improved.

(a) Role of government :-

1. Welfare state - Govt needs to provide education
2. Right to Education as fundamental right U/A 21 for 6-14 age group.
3. Around 60-70% of students go to state run schools. Thus right kind of education is very important for better development of the child.

(b) Principles :-

1. Education to All - so that anyone can afford quality education
2. Inclusiveness
3. Education is great leveller - as it helps in reducing inequality.
4. Reducing the dropouts → Making provision for proper infrastructure at school.
5. Quality Education to bridge the gap between private & public section.

Values

1. Sympathetic attitute towards poor especially those who can't afford private education.
2. Reasonableness as resources with govt. is also limited Hence balance should be there while spending.
3. Objectivity - to adopt reasoned and scientific solutions.
4. Consulting wider stakeholders Hence I need to be accomodative also.

(c) Some ways :-

1. Proper training of Teachers & mid career review
2. Focussing on Infrastructure → Also girls toilet should be there which can reduce drop outs.
3. Relieving teachers of non-teaching activity like making of mid day meal etc
4. Revision of Syllabus → Making it more friendly & interesting → local materials & props can be used to explain the concept like Use of stones & sticks to explain mathematic problems.
5. Sensitising parents to reduce the drop outs.
6. schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan etc should be implemented in letter & spirit.
7. Strict Monitoring of Outcomes
8. Use of Technology → for monitoring → for teaching