Q. Does private sector have an edge over public sector in providing education?
A. Yes. Public sector is typically mechanical in its processes and systems whereas the private sector constantly experiments and looks for innovation to survive the competition. Lack of infrastructure, skilled teachers and new methods of imparting knowledge is hampering both elementary and higher education in India. It is high time for the government to take some realistic steps.
Q. What kind of skills and development programmes do you think can benefit the growth of government educational institutes?
A. The failure of government sector rests largely on not preparing good skills and development programmes. There is a scarcity of vocational skills to support the education. Today it has become necessary to set programmes in order to prepare quality teachers that in turn can contribute to the generation of good students.
Q. Most of the country’s leading management institutes are run by the government. How can private sector change the mindset of students and draw them towards premier private institutes?
A. It is true that the government-run management institutes provide quality education but that does not suggest the quality of education offered by private institutes is poor. Leading management institutes encourage arrogance to some extent, promoting wrong attitude in students that later reflects in the way these learners perform at the workplace. They do not inspire confidence in leadership positions. There are institutions in the private sector that are dedicated to quality and emphasise on holistic education. These institutes will definitely draw students towards them.
Q. The quality of private institutions is always under scanner. What is your take on this?
A. I do not think private institutions offer education of poor quality. Indeed, there is a steady growth in number of institutions of late but there are plethora of quality schools and colleges that impart world-class education with the help of technology and innovative teaching methods.
Q. Do you think the merger with government institutions can help in achieving the common goal in a much effective way?
A. You can have a merger only when the culture and aim of two institutions share striking similarity. When the objectives of two institutions are same, then a merger can bring out the best results. In our case, the goals and objectives that we have set are different, so a tie-up with government will only divert us from our course.
