They cannot oppose govt on the basis of status: Interview with Rajasthan's education minister

Madan Dilawar on crumbling infrastructure in the state's schools, on changes in the syllabus and also on some schools opposing the government's decision to have the same uniform across educational institutions

A few days ago, a Class 4 girl reportedly committed suicide in a private school. You sent education department officials to investigate, but they were not allowed in. The report of the committee is awaited and further action against the school body depends on it.

You earlier mentioned that the uniform would be similar in private and government schools, while recently some of the private schools have opposed it.

Colours of the school uniform will be the same so that a differentiation between private and government schools is not made. In fact, thousands of private schools are in support. All over Rajasthan, I have received support. If some schools oppose it, we will consider their objections if they are genuine. But if schools think that because of their status they can oppose government rules, that will not be acceptable.

Recently, opposition leader Tikaram Jully raised the issue of state government providing Rs 600 for school uniforms to SC/ST students in Rajasthan. He said that is not enough and the state discriminates against poor students.

Somebody should ask the Congress leaders how much they distributed during their tenure. For most of their tenure, they didn't give any money, and even when they did, it was Rs 600. Clothes are priced from Rs 50 per meter to Rs 5,000 per meter. It is about necessity and affordability. We have already transferred the money to the parents' accounts, and no one has raised a complaint.

There had been visuals of teachers selling milk powder and milk that were supposed to be given to the students in mid-day meals. What steps has the government taken?

After receiving information, some teachers were suspended, and then action was taken. Corruption will not be tolerated in the department.

The collapse of the building of a government school in Jhalawar killed thirteen students. What steps has the government taken so far, with what money allocation, to repair dilapidated buildings?

We have sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for a new building in Jhalawar, and the school's rooms will be named after the children who died. A monument will also be made in their memory. The previous government should have taken measures to repair these buildings. According to our report, about 85,000 classrooms in Rajasthan's government schools are dilapidated. We are gradually repairing them. 

Also, we have introduced new guidelines to mark each building with its construction date and the expected period after which it will require maintenance again. This will help the authorities to repair them on time. There is speculation about the reshuffle of the Rajasthan cabinet. Do you think that your portfolio will change? 

A decision would be taken by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and whatever he decides, we would follow. Anta bypoll on November 11: Do you expect a win in this by-election as the BJP candidate is not known? 

Our candidate is a pradhan with a clean image. It doesn't matter if he is not a mass leader. The public will vote for the party and on the basis of his image select him as a leader. Popularity can be gained in later stages. When I contested elections, I didn't know anyone, my community doesn't have many voters, but I still won the seat. It's all about the work you are doing. The Election Commission is going to carry out SIR of the voter list in Rajasthan. The Congress terms it a method of ‘Vote Chori’. "Vote chori" is the most pathetic excuse made by opposition leaders. They have no proof. SIR is a routine process… Why should Bangladeshi and Rohingya get voter ID cards and vote in our elections? 

This is a way to filter non-Indians and include the names of deserving Indians. Is it not a waste of state resources that in Rajasthan, both Congress and the BJP change the school syllabus according to their ideology whenever they come to power? If you buy poison by mistake, will you drink it knowing it is poison? 

I know the costs for changing the syllabus are very high, but we must give our children the right education. Akbar was a rapist, a lootera, and a robber who kidnapped Hindu women… Why should he be glorified in our textbooks? We should teach children about the real contributions of our heroes. We will make changes whenever necessary, no matter the cost.