Dear Editor,
Your editorial, “Pay attention to education & health sector” (August 31, 2017) has rightly highlighted the need for the best facilities in government schools and hospitals as most of the people cannot afford the private ones. Unfortunately, the capacity of parents’ credit cards is becoming more and more important factor in our education system than a student’s marks in his or her merit card. Education and health sectors are being exported to private players without meaningful control and attachment of necessary strings. As a result, most of us have to play the role of helpless spectators when it comes to saving our own lives or educating our own children. Many students commit suicide when their parents fail to finance their education. This is the worst form of discrimination as it only carries coal to Newcastle, jettisoning struggling meritorious students for good. This negative discrimination is also destroying the democratic environment and social mobility in our country. So, first of all, we need enough good quality public schools that can give their private counterparts a run for their money. Moreover, sufficient scholarships and enough easy interest free loans for the needy are what we need now to make meritocracy meaningful. On the other hand, government hospitals must be well equipped and have healthy patient to bed ratio to make Article 21 of our Constitution that guarantees ~”No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.” ~ a reality.
Yours,
Sujit De,
Kolkata