“All initiatives in education should be encouraged”

P. Kishore is the Chennai-based promoter-chairman of Everonn Education Ltd.

The Union finance minister has taken credit for raising Central government expenditure on education by 24 percent over last year.  How satisfied are you with this provision?
I am very happy with the substantial increase in the allocation for education. This displays commitment and leadership on part of the government, and recognition that education is the answer to most of the challenges confronting this great nation.

To what extent does the Centre’s budgetary outlay of Rs.52,000 crore for education — less than 0.60 percent of GDP — fulfil the needs of Indian education? 
Education requires a staggering proportion of the budget considering that a huge number of children need to be benefited. What is required is a serious look at education by all stakeholders — government, corporate sector and academics — to ensure that benefits of education reach the huge mass of children in the rural hinterland.

As Pratham’s ASER 2010 survey indicates, learning outcomes in government K-12 schools are deteriorating. Is there any encouragement for private initiatives in education?
All initiatives in the education sector should be encouraged. There is enough and more scope for several Everonns to enter the field and make their contribution to close the gap between the educated and uneducated.

A growing number of educationists believe that the priority of Indian education should shift from outlays to outcomes. What’s your comment?
Every single rupee spent must be accounted for. Unless there is full and transparent audit, budget allocations will be unutilised or end up in undeserving hands. Moreover, we need to set learning outcome targets with bonuses for good performance and penalty for failures and delays. Clearly drafted processes, timelines and service level agreements are the answer.

How optimistic are you about the future of Indian education and about the country being able to harvest its so-called demographic dividend?
Ours is the youngest population in the world, almost nine years younger than of China. If this population is empowered with good quality education, India will undoubtedly transform into an economic superpower. I firmly believe in gyan moolam idam jagat — knowledge is the foundation of the world.