IIT professors and students should also be involved in these discussions

OUR STAFF REPORTER BHOPAL

Any change in the existing courses of engineering and science should not be made in haste, especially when the issue pertains to human resources.

This view was put forth by Madhya Pradesh Education Minister Archana Chitnis at Education Ministers'Conference at New Delhi on Wednesday.

Education Ministers of various stats took part in the conference chaired by Union Human Resources Minister Kapil Sibal. Union Minister of State for Education D. Purandeshwari, senior officers of Union Human Resource Ministry and educationists were present on the occasion.

Putting a question mark over changes in the equal ability test proposed by the Union Human Resources Ministry in higher education and engineering spheres, Chitnis described it as a chaotic step.

Terming this as an effort of westernisation of education by the Centre, she said that it is totally improper. For such a basic change, suggestions should be sought from education experts and the State Governments.

IIT professors and students should also be involved in these discussions.

Chitnis informed that IIT has a distinct identity all over the world.

She said that change in the system is necessary.

But for this, we should not compromise with credibility and quality of these institutions.

Chitnis said that special attention should be paid to the students of rural and urban backgrounds as well as rich and poor students in proposed change in the system.

Chitnis also laid stress on the need to ensure that there is no injustice with the students imbibing education in separate languages in the country.