What your figures say?? Read them Mr. Arjun Singh

Latest educational statistics released by the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development, the pattern highlights failure of the government to ensure minimum quality of education to dalits after nearly a decade-and-half of quota raj. Does Arjun Singh not read reports of his own ministry?

While 73.24% class X SC students called it quits in 2003-2004, the figures for ST students was even worse at 79.25%. These high dropout rates are crippling enrolment of students from SC and ST at institutions of higher education. “Reservations at university level would not help unless students from backward section continue education till class X” – says a professor from DU. The point made by educationists is that reserved seats go vacant and this then feeds the arguments that quotas don’t work. Unless quality educational and sustained support at primary, middle and higher school is not available, the large section of disadvantaged SC and ST children will not benefit from official reservation policy.

“The well-placed group of the backward section would be better placed with such reservations. It would help the creamy layer of the backward section to grab a seat in the universities. Thus, the purpose behind the quota to uplift the backward classes would not be served” says the Professor.

Is this the way reservation will create social justice in Indian society?