Biscuit Treat

The corporate sector took a whacking, as state educationists say they need more than the right noises and more private sector involvement to provide services in rural schools.







The corporate sector took a whacking, as state educationists say they need more than the right noises and more private sector involvement to provide services in rural schools. The Education Ministry currently oversees 9970 schools, 13 universities and 11 technical training institutes, on a shoestring budget to maintain a free education system.

On average, that translates into a State spend of roughly US$ 80 for every student, though the budget has been upped for next year.

"Next to unemployable graduates, unemployable school leavers are the next biggest problem," Secretary to the Education Ministry, Dr. Tara de Mel said Wednesday.

"Of the 2500 Advanced Level schools, we have about 100,000 students qualifying to get into universities, but only 13,000 or two percent actually get into university, leaving the balance to fend for themselves.

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Most of the students who come out are not considered equipped with the necessary tools to be employable by the private sector.

But State ed